The meeting began with the normal Call to Order, Agenda Review, and Flag Salute. The first Community Comments portion of the meeting included one comment from a community member relating to the gender non-conforming policy.
The Consent Agenda included the approval of a warrant, contracts, and the minutes of a special meeting.
The Reports to the Board portion of the meeting included:
– Superintendent Report: School’s Leadership Team has been meeting to make the schools Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) into a simpler work plan for teachers and support staff. Decided not to pursue the Wise Benefits platform discussed at prior meetings at this time due to other HR system transitions currently adjusting to. Provided details regarding the MES Admin Assistant school year to FTE to be discussed desiring to make the position year-round instead of only for the school year. Determined that the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract that was signed last year was for three years and not due for renewal until August 2027; however, requested to change SRO’s hours from 8.5 to 9 to allow them to be available for both morning drop-off and afternoon pickup which the district supports. A copy of the contract is included in the packet. The school’s new website hosted by Apptegy is now live and preparing to launch new messaging broadcast system that will interface with website and social media channels immediately and automatically. There is also a new MTSD App. Search for “Milton SD” and you’ll find it listed as Milton Town School District with our Yellowjacket logo. Answers to questions from the board from the June 26th meeting were also provided relating to: 1) which bus company is used based on availability for field trips, etc. and, 2) questions relating to library material selection. Finally, gave a summary of Legislative action taken this past session and a discussion of the Education Transformation Bill (H.454).
– Finance Report: Copies of the reports are in the packet.
– Committee Reports: The school board meeting was preceded by a Facilities Committee Meeting that provided an update on the capital projects including the Herrick roof, windows, and rainwater projects. Will be renting two 30-foot containers to store windows until able to install during upcoming school breaks. Have been monitoring Herrick humidity levels. Have controlled overall building temperature and humidity by controlling mini-split temperature controls for consistent temperature throughout building. The current system is working fine controlling humidity to mitigate mold concerns, but concern with when buildings become occupied again and wanting to open windows on nice days or desire for different temperatures until humidity is no longer of a concern. Also discussed replacing John Deere tractor at cost of $21,969. Does snow work for all sidewalks and also does grass work. The current machine is 15 years old John Deere with over 900 hours. Have attachments that are John Deere specific. Would need to order to have ready for winter. Finally, discussed $3,500/year safety app (already pre-paid 3 years with grant) that was recently rolled out. For an extra $1,000/year and $750 onboarding there is a new feature that allows for marking students in a class as accounted for or not in an emergency situation. Powerschool system links to this system for populating the students and classes.
The Presentations portion of the meeting included:
– End-of-Year Staff Report: Overview of FY25 staff changes were provided along with information from exit interviews and staff surveys. Seven employees retired, 10 were FY25 only or non-renewed, 3 were on some type of approved leave, 8 moved out of state, and 1 became Milton Town Manager. Of the remaining 38 who left the district, reasons ranged from personal, family, medical, or taking a new job. Of these 19 were Support Staff, 16 were Faculty, 2 were Individual, and 1 was an Administrator. Exit surveys were completed by 24 of 69 employees with 10 completing exit surveys and 3 submitting exit narratives. Most of the respondents worked at the district for less than 5 years. Family circumstances and school climate were highest listed for reasons for leaving by the respondents. Year-over-year this same period comparing 2023 and 2024 to this year, currently having a less difficult time filling positions with only seven open positions. Additional discussion of the feedback provided was discussed. See LCATV video for further information.
The Discussion portion of the meeting included:
– MES Administrative Assistant: Discussed whether the current person hired in role would stay on for FTE position. Advised they would likely lose them if the position was not converted.
– SRO Contract Change: Discussed that it was a good idea to have coverage for both periods.
– Board Goals and Retreat Prep: Discussed “homework” for retreat.
The second Community Comments portion of the meeting included one comment from the same community member regarding staff turnover and their previous work experience at MTSD. They indicated that schools are raising our children, there is a divide with the culture war and parents are concerned that schools are teaching things against their beliefs before stating that teachers are on the “cutting edge of what is happening in education. So, when it comes to acceptance of trans kids, when it comes to acceptance of LGBTQ, when it comes to the acceptance of the fact that our country has an abysmal track record when it comes to human rights especially when it comes to human rights against people of color” stating that parents were not taught about these things. They further stated, “I just wish that our elected officials including our school board and our town would step in and help ‘educate’ parents in our communities who are struggling who it’s not their fault that they don’t have the education.”
The Action Items portion of the meeting included:
– Policy Approvals: D8 Selection of Library Materials (Required), C12 Title IX (Required), and F5 Behavior Threat Assessment (Required). This action item originally scheduled was removed to have an odd number of board members available for the vote.
– Final Approval of Bond Loan. Motion was passed to have board chair sign the bond loan documents.
– SRO Contract Change. Motion was passed changing the SRO contract to be 9 hours instead of 8.5.
– MES Administrative Assistant – Full Year. Motion passed making this position for a full year instead of a school year only.
The Board Comments portion of the meeting included no board comments.
An Executive Session scheduled to conclude the night was cancelled.