Shella Williams

The meeting serves as a regular session for the district to address administrative and educational governance matters.

The board convened for a regular meeting to discuss and conduct matters relevant to the school district.

The key discussion topics for the meeting included recognizing NMSD retirees and students with perfect 2024-2025 MAAP scores, and public input. The agenda featured several recommendations for approval, such as the consent agenda items covering fundraisers, a collaborative partnership agreement with Friends of Children of MS, a dental agreement with Newton Family Dental Clinic, and a CTE job shadowing agreement with Ochsner Rush Hospital. Furthermore, the Board intended to approve an MOU with the Newton Police Department, a Workers Compensation proposal, and various financials (Claims Docket, Financial Reports, and FY25 Amended Budgets). Other items slated for approval included personnel actions, reviews of Policy A (District Organization) and E (Business Management), and the disposal and transfer of fixed assets. The Superintendent was scheduled to provide an overview on MDE's District & School Report Cards and upcoming awareness events, concluding with an update from Attorney Mayo.

Key discussion topics for the meeting included numerous recognitions across several categories, such as student achievements (MAAP scores, ACT scores, certifications) and staff/parent awards (Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year). The agenda also covered the election of School Board Officers, review and approval of the current meeting's agenda, consideration of the consent agenda which included asset disposal, a contract with Rosemont Consulting, various test security plans for different schools, and fundraiser requests. Further items involved granting permission for Empress Yoga and Wellness LLC to use the practice field, approving out-of-state travel for professional development (Nike Coaching Clinic and BOOST Conference), recommending a change to the payday date, reviewing financials including claims dockets and budget statements, approving personnel actions, reviewing policy revisions, and an overview from the Superintendent on various matters like winter weather procedures and graduation rates.

The Regular Board Meeting addressed several items through the Superintendent's recommendations. Key actions included approving the agenda and consenting to the approval of previous meeting minutes, as well as approving a consent agenda covering fundraisers and out-of-state travel for the National ESEA Conference in Denver, Colorado. The Board also approved all financial reports, including the Claims Docket and various financial statements. Furthermore, the Board approved a letter of resignation, personnel actions for certified and classified staff, and the review and revision of policies K, L, and M. A significant discussion involved amending the McElroy Walking Trail Project due to increased costs, leading to an approval to explore alternatives for grant fund utilization. Finally, the Board approved the disposal of fixed assets and the Superintendent's Overview.