Tara Comer

This Annual Joint Statement from the Fairfield County Educational Service Center Business Advisory Council outlines its role in connecting education and industry across eight public school districts. For the 2025-2026 school year, the council focused on reviewing workforce data and identifying needs in healthcare, skilled trades, and manufacturing, while also addressing challenges such as transportation barriers, chronic absenteeism, and soft skill gaps. Key initiatives implemented include expanding career readiness programs, developing senior-only workforce center programming, enhancing advanced manufacturing/STEM career navigation, mitigating transportation barriers, and implementing attendance interventions. The council is committed to expanding student participation, strengthening work-based learning, and aligning educational programming with Fairfield County's labor market demands.

The strategic plan of Liberty Union-Thurston Local School District is centered around empowering students to maximize their talents and preparing them for success in the 21st century. The plan focuses on educator equity, ensuring all students have access to effective teachers and principals, enhancing instruction and student achievement in reading/language arts and math, and promoting safe and healthy schools by providing mental health support, social-emotional learning, and well-rounded education options. Key strategies include collaborative leadership, innovative excellence, student achievement, responsible citizenship, and a safe and productive learning organization.

The meeting included the appointment of a treasurer pro tempore and discussion of personnel matters, specifically employment and 2022/2023 athletic supplementals. An executive session was held, followed by the approval of new hires for bus driver, part-time custodian, and custodian positions.

The meeting included recognitions for student accomplishments, department presentations, and approval of monthly financial statements. Key financial discussions involved a five-year forecast, permanent appropriations adjustments, service providers, and a school bus purchase. Personnel matters covered employment, certified contracts, supplemental contracts, extended days, resignations, and substitute lists. Other new business included the graduating class of 2022, MOUs with the Liberty Union-Thurston Education Association regarding supplemental contracts, teacher salary, and permanent substitute contracts, and summer camp approvals. Board policies were presented for a first reading, and an executive session was held.

The board meeting included a public hearing for federal grant funding for FY2023, covering programs such as IDEA-B Special Education, Title I-A, ESSER, and Title II. Financial statements were reviewed and approved, including bills, student activity appropriations, and donations. Key financial decisions included fund transfers, establishing change funds for various departments, approving in-lieu-of transportation costs for students attending private schools, and selecting food service vendors for the 2022/2023 school year. School meal pricing and substitute teacher rates for 2022/2023 were also set. An agreement with the Village of Baltimore for a school resource officer was approved. Personnel matters included employment decisions, resignations, summer help assignments, extended time approvals, and athletic supplemental assignments. Other business included the disposal of items, delegate selection for the OSBA annual meeting, student fees, handbook approvals, and graduation approvals. Safety concerns and the possibility of a dedicated officer at each school were also discussed.