Scott L. Hess

The board meeting focused on the presentation and approval of budgets, including the general fund, food service, capital projects, and school activity fund. Discussions included tax levy resolutions, the removal and addition of authorized signers for bank accounts, and a thorough evaluation process for a new mathematics curriculum. The board also reviewed SAT performance benchmarks and discussed implementation and training for the proposed curriculum, as well as family engagement resources.

The board discussed and approved a consent grouping and the employment contract for the incoming superintendent, including performance-based merit compensation. Additionally, the board approved the creation and hiring of a new director of learning and student support position, with discussions regarding the role's accountability and evaluation criteria. Finally, the board considered transitioning a previously planned dean of students position into an assistant principal role to provide broader administrative authority and support across the district.

The Board of Education approved consent items and discussed the renewal of a memorandum of understanding for secondary consultant services focused on literacy development and teacher training. The meeting also included an annual review of the general education budget for the Intermediate School District, detailing revenues and expenditures. Additionally, information regarding school-based health clinics was presented for the purpose of fulfilling state grant requirements.

The board meeting featured a recognition of the wrestling team's season accomplishments, including team performance, individual state qualifiers, and the hard work of student-athletes. The meeting also included the approval of consent items, a review and adoption of the 2025-2026 amended budget, and a discussion regarding a contract for online tutoring services for summer school.

The meeting was called to order following the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. A key agenda item involved the approval of work session meeting minutes from February 6, 2026. The primary focus of the session was superintendent interviews, specifically a second round interview with a candidate named Andrew. Discussion topics with the candidate included ongoing safety and security enhancements, such as revising protocols, implementing new phone and camera systems via grants, and replacing exterior doors. The candidate also discussed past involvement with instructional technology, noting the benefit of one-to-one Chromebook distribution but cautioning against excessive screen time. Personnel management was addressed through a detailed account of terminating an employee for creating a toxic culture and making inappropriate statements to students. Further discussion covered decision-making involving stakeholders, emphasizing transparency and vulnerability, while acknowledging necessary confidentiality for legal or personnel matters. The candidate also detailed experience with budget reductions due to declining enrollment, which necessitated combining classes and reducing staff through attrition, leading to improved budgetary status. Finally, student behavior challenges were discussed, focusing on trauma-informed instruction, restorative justice practices, and the implementation of programs like Compass Navigate 360 to reduce incident reports.