Meeting Recap: 12/16/24

Final meeting (and recap) of the year. The themes of the evening were celebration and capital planning. 

Agenda here. Video here. English transcript here.

1. The meeting opened with an orchestral presentation by the high school orchestra and the middle school cello choir.

2. First order of business was the consent agenda which passed without fanfare.

3. Superintendent’s update included upcoming transitions, gratitude for holiday donations and the Music Drives Us grant given to the Roberts, reporting on band and orchestra concerts, winter break, and kindergarten registration.

4. We met Kelsey, the district’s new assistance dog. 

5. We recognized a number of athletes, teams, and the marching band. VIPs included Adam and Emma (cross country), Jonathan (unified basketball), JK (girls soccer), Breanna and Justin (football). Team recognition included the above plus golf and marching band. Congratulations to all on a great fall season!

6. Assistant superintendent Cushing presented an update on the McGlynn/Andrews HVAC energy efficiency project and requested approval to ask city council for a bond to fund Phase I (preconstruction). This was approved later in the evening. 

7. We approved our budget analyst’s proposed FY26 budget calendar (this pushes the deadlines in the early phases later and shortens the period of reconciliation between the committee’s “ask” and the municipal allocation. 

8. We also approved recommendations from the capital planning subcommittee, which identified priorities for FY25 and anticipated future needs in FY26 and beyond. [Given that I am on this subcommittee and this is at least the fourth meeting that has touched on these projects, I will just point those of you excited to hear about HVAC, roofs, recommissioning, bike racks, network closets, elevators, drainage, flashing, keyless FOBS, dumpsters, plazas, playgrounds, and parking lots toward a timestamped recording of this section]

9. Condolences and adjournment.

Our next regular meeting, on January 13, is a much anticipated one as it includes the supplemental budget proposal to account for new override funds, but Member Olapade and I will be hosting joint office hours the week before (probably on Tuesday, January 7, but stay tuned for final confirmation/more info.

No matter what you celebrate this season (and even if you don’t) I hope the weeks ahead are filled with light and relaxation. And to everyone who who supported, encouraged, and respectfully challenged me these last 12 months, my sincere thanks.