Valerie Budinich

The meeting involved a discussion on trying a new format for future sessions, followed by the regular board meeting agenda. Key discussion points included the approval of the student calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, establishing the first and last days as August 31, 2026, and June 15, 2027, respectively, and the approval of the Superintendent's contract from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Public comment focused on concerns regarding transportation management during a February 13th snowstorm. The session concluded with the board moving into a study session to begin initial discussions on future levy and bond considerations, including the Educational Programs and Operations (EPO) Levy and Capital Levy, establishing a decision timeline aiming for a ballot consideration in February 2026.

This document outlines the Bethel School District's Dual Language Program, designed to empower students to achieve bilingual proficiency, sociocultural competence, and academic excellence, while preserving cultural heritage and fostering a valued learning community. The program utilizes a Two-Way Dual Language model in English and Spanish, starting with an 80/20 split and gradually balancing to 50/50, to promote academic excellence, bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding. The overarching vision is to prepare 'College and Career Ready' graduates who thrive in a multilingual, globally connected world.

The session began with a brief business meeting including communications, approval of the agenda, and approval of the consent agenda. The main focus was the study session, which addressed part two of the levy and bond planning discussion. Key topics included reviewing board agreements and responsibilities, reviewing current levy and capital levy/bond information, presenting requested additional information regarding levy fund allocations (such as school safety officers and support staff like nurses and counselors), and examining potential funding combinations for future considerations. Discussions clarified the roles of Campus Safety Officers versus School Resource Officers (SROs) and the funding sources for these positions.

The meeting included recognition for a departing member who is moving to the sheriff's department, followed by the board's formal approval of the superintendent's 2024-2025 year-end evaluation, Dr. Brian M. Lowy, noting his exceptional leadership, sustained critical programs like Spanish immersion and dual credit, and advancements in equity and wellness initiatives. The subsequent study session covered three main topics for discussion: carryover items regarding levy bond options (including needs assessment for operational costs and capital projects categorized by update, security, and athletics), draft school board calendars for the upcoming year, and defining the structure for student school board representatives to ensure meaningful student voice.

The meeting included discussions and reviews of data related to student achievement and strategic planning. Key topics included performance on state tests in ELA, math, and science, with comparisons to state averages and trends over time, including pre- and post-COVID data. The board also discussed graduation rates, equity considerations, and efforts to support student success in post-secondary education. Actions and initiatives at the elementary, middle, and high school levels were highlighted, such as curriculum adoptions, professional learning communities, and early warning systems for identifying students at risk of not graduating on time.