Windham – Windham Board of Education’s (BOE) most recent meeting shed some light on the future with the five-year forecast presented to the board by treasurer, Samantha Pochedly. On paper, the five-year forecast looks bleak in the 3rd and 4th year, but Pochedly said there are some factors that are not added in and when they are, things will be fine. The 3rd and 4th year show a deficit; however, it doesn’t paint a true picture of the district’s financial health. The five-year forecast is used as a planning tool to assess the district’s financial health. The forecast is done twice annually and it looks at the general fund, the DPIA (Disadvantage Pupils Impact Aid) historical revenues, as well as forecasts of the present fiscal year plus four additional years. This forecast is done twice a year and is updated as events change. It really is just a snapshot of today, adjusted to reflect the known activities of the future with certain assumptions and predictions of what may happen by using past history. The forecast is a planning tool to give the district an idea of what they have and what they will need to do to remain solvent.
The forecast brought up a discussion on what can be done to improve the district’s financial health. Some of the suggestions were the need to attract more students, and lose fewer students to open enrollment. The district has strong STEM and tech programs so if they continue improving those classes, they believe it will help retain students and attract others. The district has expanded its technology, STEM programs by adding robotics. They are hoping these classes will interest and attract more students.
In other board news, Principal Justin Christopher reported that he and Mr. Burns have almost completed their first round of staff evaluations. He stated that, he is impressed with the 21st century teaching and learning activities going on in the classrooms.* “Project and problem-based learning, technology integration, and social and emotional awareness. As a part of the social awareness piece, the PBIS, the team has developed and will be piloting a positive and negative tracking form and app that was created by tech coach Danielle Brkirch.” Previously, they could record negative behavior but now with the behavior tracking forms and App, they can use the data to make informed decisions on what the strengths and weaknesses are to provide interventions and strategies to correct negative behavior.”
The Veterans Day Program the school held was a success, with Army National Guard Captain Jeff Fuch as the guest speaker. Some of the breakfast and ceremony attendees were Sheriff Dave Doak, Camp JAG Commander, Colonel William Meade and guest of honor 99-year-old Windham resident and WWII Veteran Henry Burner.
The first quarter of the year, there were 135 students that made honor roll, 42 of them receiving all A’s. Twenty-six students achieved perfect attendance awards and 150 PRIDE character cards recognizing positive behavior have been passed out. Other academic activities to be noted are the quiz bowl team, coached by Sarah Isler starts the season off tomorrow competing on Academic Challenge and the robotics team, coached by Amanda Brundage begins their competition season this week.
In other news, Jake Eye reported that boiler #4 is down and they are currently running on two boilers. The two are fine for right now but it will take three to keep the buildings warm in January and February. Eye said they won’t even quote a price due to the system’s age. They might have to retrofit it. So, for now, it’s unsettled.
Eye reported, he has found a 2020 International, 72 passenger bus for the district; he just needs the BOE approval to purchase it. He also reported that he has contacted Maplewood Masonry Class about the sign out front and they will get it on their schedule.
The BOE acted on the following legislation. They approved the October financial report, the five-year forecast, the Jr. high boys’ and girls’ assistant basketball coaches, and boys’ and girls’ varsity assistant basketball coaches. The also approved the hiring of Vincent Fortney as a substitute, along with Kari Wallace as educational aide, district-wide, and Marshall Polley, as district-wide. Amy Hoover was hired as a home instruction tutor as well. The board also approved the unpaid medical leave for two employees. Other legislation they acted on was approval of two new open-enrolled students, the purchase of a 72-passenger International school bus for $82,887. Lastly, the board approved the updated policies on tobacco use by administration, staff tech acceptance, usage and safety and use of social media.
The BOE meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Hangar at the high school.
•Info taken directly from Christopher’s written report.
