Tim Boutwell

This Local Wellness Plan outlines the Meridian Public School District's commitment to enhancing student health and learning through a coordinated school health approach. It focuses on several key areas including nutrition, food safety, physical activity and education, comprehensive health education, maintaining a healthy school environment, health services, counseling and psychological services, family and community involvement, staff wellness, and policy implementation. The plan aims to equip students with knowledge and skills for lifelong healthy choices, reinforce positive behaviors, and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.

The meeting agenda included key discussions and actions. The consent agenda covered recommendations for implementing a string music education model in collaboration with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, approving an MOU for this partnership, purchasing additional software licenses for Food Services and an early warning system for identifying at-risk students, refiling H1-B work visas for special education teachers, soliciting bids for the School District Depository, approving the FY26 Budget Amendment, approving the revised Meridian Public School District Wildcat Wellness Plan, approving the 2025-2026 FY27 Impact Aid Application, approving course offerings, gifts/donations, field trips, and fixed asset changes. Action items involved approving or rejecting bids for High Dosage Tutoring and Professional Development RFPs, approving contracts with Kids First Education, The Kirkland Group, and The Bailey Education Group for tutoring services, approving a contract for re-roofing the Northwest Campus buildings, approving the certificate of substantial completion for the Northwest bond project, approving various financial reports, and approving employee hiring. District reports included monthly updates on school performance, discipline, attendance, and Section 16 reports.

The meeting included discussions and actions related to the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy, including proposed state guidelines and minimum standards for districts choosing to offer the seal. The commission also discussed revisions to accreditation policies and accountability standards, including the process to declare a state of emergency and the time provided for district presentations.

The work session focused on the accountability model, aiming to provide an overview and assess the current status, with the goal of continuous improvement based on feedback from practitioners, federal policies, legislative directives, and regulations. The session included discussions on the strategic plan, the A through F system, and the impact of accountability on academic outcomes. The historical context of accountability systems since 1988 was reviewed, highlighting concerns about the previous model's inequity and the need for a more comprehensive approach. The development of the current model involved an accountability task force comprising practitioners and legislative leadership, emphasizing the importance of measuring both proficiency and growth.

The Mississippi Board of Education meeting included discussion regarding a 10-day waiver of the 180-day clause. The board also discussed and approved the methodology for the distribution of 20 million in senate bill 3044. The discussion included whether the devices that will be issued to students would be done so at no cost to the student.