Board elects officers, approves policies, preliminary budget, change orders and committee assignments

The Appoquinimink School District Board of Education at its July 8 meeting completed routine governance business that included swearing in a newly elected trustee, electing officers for the coming year, approving policies and accepting preliminary fiscal documents and construction change orders.

Swearing in and officers

Tim Higgins was sworn in as a board member during the meeting. Following the oath, trustees elected Richard Forrester as board president, Tasheba Graham as vice president and Matt Burrows as executive secretary. The motion to elect Forrester and Graham was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Policy, committees and governance items

The board approved a new parent code of conduct that will appear in the front of the student code of conduct and on the district website. The policy clarifies expected behavior by visitors and parents at school events and establishes progressive consequences — including revocation of event privileges — for serious misconduct.

Trustees also approved revised electronic‑communications/social‑media policy 3115 (second reading) and cell‑phone policy 6123 (second reading), changes that district staff said will standardize staff use of social media and reduce classroom disruption caused by personal devices. The district said the policies will be evaluated and refined after initial implementation.

Budget and finance

The board approved the financial advisory committee’s recommendations to accept monthly financial reports for April and May and to approve a preliminary FY26 budget. The preliminary budget is intentionally conservative (staff set operating lines at 75% of last year while a new finance director is recruited) and does not preclude subsequent amendments after the district completes its hiring and accounting adjustments.

Construction, personnel and other routine items

Construction manager reports noted the new Louis Redding middle school is occupied for summer programs and the district will host a ribbon cutting later in August. Trustees approved several construction change orders needed to meet code and complete the project on schedule, and the board approved an overnight cheerleading trip and accepted the personnel report (including executive‑session recommendations).

Why it matters

These votes complete routine governance steps that allow the district to operate through the summer and prepare for fall school opening. The board also set committee assignments for the new year and appointed representatives to county and state school board groups.

Votes at a glance (items approved)

- Election of officers: Richard Forrester, board president; Tasheba Graham, vice president; Matt Burrows, executive secretary — motion carried by voice vote. - Committee appointments: DSBA board/legislative/financial advisory assignments and county combined‑boards representation — motions carried. - Policies: Parent code of conduct; cell‑phone policy (6123) and social‑media/electronic communication policy (3115) — second readings approved. - Financial items: Monthly financial reports (April, May), internal accounts (April, May), preliminary FY26 budget (approved as preliminary and subject to amendment). - Construction change orders: Approved to address code and timing items on Louis Redding Middle School; district reported project on time and on budget. - Personnel report: Approved (including executive‑session items). - Minutes and workshops: June 10 Board meeting minutes and June 25 workshop minutes approved. - Overnight field trip: Middletown High School cheer camp (trip ID 10827) — approved.

Ending

Board members said they will follow up on the financial matters discussed earlier in the meeting and that staff would publish materials and next steps for public review. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Aug. 12 and the financial advisory committee for Aug. 4.