Board discusses strategic hires and capital priorities including proposed teacher‑leader posts

The committee spent extended time on the administration's strategic enhancement request, which includes a part‑time maintenance assistant, a plow truck, an in‑house boiler plumber position to service new boilers, and four teacher‑leader positions to support elementary school administrators. Mr. Barone framed the four teacher leaders as a conservative starting point to provide day‑to‑day support across the eight elementary buildings and said strategic items, if approved, could move into the sustained budget in subsequent years.

The teacher‑leader proposal drew divided responses. Supporters said the roles would give building administrators hands‑on instructional and behavioral support without converting classroom teachers into formal evaluators; the district emphasized these posts would remain in the teacher contract and not perform teacher evaluations. "We are looking at providing them with some kind of support," the administration said, describing duties that include classroom support, school‑wide program assistance and help managing student behavior and parental interactions. Several board members urged caution: some argued the roles risk appearing like assistant‑principal posts, recommended a pilot year or a single internship before permanent hires, and asked for careful scheduling if a position must cover two schools.

Board members and staff also discussed capital priorities. Mr. Barone reported prior conversations with the mayor had already bonded several boiler replacements and two elevators, reducing immediate CIP pressure. Playground replacements and other multi‑year items were discussed as candidates for phased capital planning. The board did not adopt any strategic items at the meeting but asked staff to refine costs and implementation details for future consideration.