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Superintendent presents midyear goals update: audit, budgets, bonds, curriculum and DEI work
Summary
The superintendent reported an unmodified audit opinion, a projected 24% fund balance, progress on 2020 bond and sinking-fund projects, new time-sheet technology, curriculum growth targets and an extended Department of Justice agreement addressing race-based incidents.
Superintendent Mr. Hughes presented the district’s midyear goals and an “evidence of effort” report to the Board of Education, summarizing finance, facilities, curriculum, personnel and diversity work to date.
On finance, the superintendent said the district’s annual audit produced an unmodified opinion and the projected fund balance stands at about 24 percent, above the roughly 15 percent threshold cited by the state treasury guidance. The district has adopted a balanced budget and said it conducts periodic budget-to-actual reviews with an anticipated in-depth review later in the fiscal year.
The superintendent said the district completed a first contract with the Hartland Consolidated Administrative Association and followed policies 1410 and 14101 in that process. The district also began a new electronic time-sheet process to reduce missed or late payroll entries; staff are working through integration issues with the district’s existing Red Rover subsystem.
On facilities, the superintendent reported near completion of the 2020 bond projects and sinking-fund work and said updates are posted on the district website. He said secure-education consultant recommendations were largely implemented — noting 56 recommendations with 50 completed — and that a few minor remaining items remain to be scheduled. The superintendent said the board will see additional items on the agenda that finalize bond work, including building and stadium projects and vehicle replacements.
Curriculum and instruction remain a central goal. The superintendent said all school buildings earned a “universal” rating from the state’s assessment zones, and the district is targeting 10 percent cohort growth by 2028 under its school improvement plan (MICIP). The district aims for a 70 percent proficiency goal on state assessments as a long-term target. The report highlighted recent test rankings and five-year longitudinal gains in multiple subjects and credited targeted instructional coaches for math and science work.
On personnel, the district reported a 68 percent fill rate for 47 posted positions through December and said it continues to recruit, notably for bus drivers (hired through the LESA consortium). The superintendent said the district targets a 98 percent fill rate for key roles and that all administrators have completed required training on the new evaluation standards.
The superintendent described the district’s intervention-based approach to discipline and explained that expulsion hearings trigger parental engagement and support processes; he said expulsions are rare. He also summarized outreach work: multiple community meetings on transportation and the Department of Justice agreement, archived superintendent updates on the district website and ongoing District Parent Advisory Committee meetings.
On diversity and equity, the superintendent said the district finalized an extended agreement with the Department of Justice and is working to reduce race-based incidents; specific metrics and next steps were included in the packet and will continue to be monitored.
Board members asked procedural questions about presentations and whether consultants would walk staff through their findings; the superintendent said consultants typically meet with staff and present findings to the board, either in person or by Zoom.
