Board approves personnel, finance and policy items; several donations and the final budget cleared

The School District of the Chathams Board of Education voted on a slate of administrative and budget items and recorded multiple donations during the meeting.

Minutes: The board moved to approve the minutes from the March 17 public session and the April 2 special meeting. The March 17 minutes were approved with recorded yes votes from members present. The April 2 special meeting minutes recorded abstentions from Miss Ross, Miss Beck and Mister Smith; the minutes otherwise passed as the majority voted in favor.

Personnel: The board approved agenda items A1 through A28 on the regular personnel agenda and an addendum (including item A29, an amendment to add additional sections for an ASL teacher to meet increased demand). The motion to approve personnel items passed 9–0.

Finance and facilities: The board approved agenda items B1 through B18, which included the final budget (listed as item B6) and multiple donations: $25,000 from the Chatham Middle School PTO toward a new playground; $6,000 from the Chatham High School PTO for main-lobby painting; approximately $2,900 for a high-school podcasting class grant from the Chatham Education Foundation; a $10,000 donation from the Chatham Baseball Club for maintenance; a Bank of America donation designated at the superintendent's discretion; a donation from Group RAISE for spring track supplies; and donated musical instruments from the Von Hagel family. The finance package passed 9–0.

Curriculum and policy items: A curriculum item (listed as item 9) and a policy item D1 (renewal of an emergency evacuation agreement) were each moved and approved during the meeting; the votes were recorded as passing 9–0.

Overall, the board carried the personnel, finance, curriculum and policy packages that were placed on the consent agenda without substantive debate, while recording a small number of abstentions on the April 2 minutes.