Speedway Board approves student handbook, E‑rate upgrades, recreation funding and personnel report

The Board of Trustees for the Town of Speedway on April 8 approved a series of routine and funding items, voting unanimously on motions to adopt the 2025–26 student handbook, accept an E‑rate network upgrade proposal, fund summer recreation programming and accept the personnel report; the board also formally acknowledged $222,537.21 in grants.

Why it matters: The handbook sets policy and references the board as the Board of Trustees throughout the document; the E‑rate package funds technology upgrades that district staff said will expand wireless access and network resiliency; the recreation funding supports town-run youth programs and free swim lessons; personnel actions update staffing at multiple schools.

The board voted 5–0 to approve the student handbook for the 2025–26 school year, with the explicit caveat recorded in the meeting that minor editorial changes do not need to be returned to the board but “substantial” changes prompted by new legislation will be brought back for formal consideration. (Motion and second recorded; vote tally recorded as 5–0.)

The board voted 5–0 to approve an E‑rate network upgrade package. District presenters described the federal E‑rate funding request as covering switches, licenses, wireless access points, controllers and firewall subscriptions. Staff reported an initial total project cost of $164,298 and said the district’s corrected share is $44,709.60. A district presenter called the proposal “a great deal for our taxpayers here in Speedway.” (Motion and second recorded; vote tally recorded as 5–0.)

The board voted 5–0 to approve $15,000 to support summer recreation programs run by the Speedway Parks and Recreation Department, including a recommended $7,000 allocation for free swim lessons. Tammy Smith of the Parks and Recreation department was named in the packet as the program lead; board members praised the long‑standing town partnership that supports small class sizes and activities for children. (Motion and second recorded; vote tally recorded as 5–0.)

The board voted 5–0 to accept the personnel report as presented. The personnel report as read into the record listed one dismissal (David Hunter, custodian, April 4), several resignations (including Nathan Day, assistant principal at Speedway High School; James Sims, head wrestling coach at Speedway Junior High; Kendra Lucky, girls golf positions; Alicia Goss, cafeteria worker; and Ken Allison, school nurse) and two hires recommended for approval (Heather Gorgas, recommended as principal of Newby Elementary School; Timothy Woodlock, assistant baseball coach at Speedway Junior High). (Motion and second recorded; vote tally recorded as 5–0.)

The board also acknowledged receipt of $222,537.21 in grants; the meeting record shows the amount acknowledged but does not list line‑item details in the transcript.

The meeting concluded after a recognition of visitors and administrative business; no other formal actions were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.