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Winslow board approves junior-high goals, ELA curriculum and policy reaffirmations
Summary
The Winslow Schools board approved junior-high academic and behavioral goals, adopted grades 11–12 ELA curriculum updates and reaffirmed policies on student discipline and bomb threats. The meeting also included staff reports on testing, special-education counts and facilities work.
The Winslow Schools Board of Education approved a set of junior-high goals and several district items after presentations from administrators and committee members.
The board voted to adopt four junior-high goals developed from summer retreats and data reviews: increase reading and math projected-growth rates, reduce chronic absenteeism and strengthen respectful/responsible behavior supports. Jason Bridal, who presented the junior-high goals, said only about 33% of students met the state’s projected growth in reading last year and described action steps including family engagement events, data chats with students, targeted I-Ready instruction and expanded PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports).
Michelle (district administrator) and the curriculum committee presented a continuation of the high-school ELA scope and sequence for grades 11–12, emphasizing consistent grammar/conventions instruction, greater focus on informational text and uniform MLA formatting. The board moved, seconded and approved the ELA 11–12 curriculum as presented.
On policy, the board reaffirmed policy JKE (student discipline/expulsion) with updated language clarifying that students in grade 5 or below cannot be expelled except under the Gun-Free Schools Act as cited in the transcript ('28 MSRA), and noted superintendent discretion to explore alternatives on a case-by-case basis. The board also reaffirmed safety policy EBCC (bomb threats) with minor wording updates.
Administrators and staff reported district operational items and program data. A special-education count presented by staff rose from 293 last October to 317 this October, with 22 referrals currently pending evaluation; staff estimated contracted psychological evaluations can cost between $1,200 and $2,400 and noted district psychologists typically complete 55–75 evaluations per year. Facilities updates included a scheduled power shutdown to raise telephone/power lines, a repaired boiler section and vendor work to restore the Valcom public-address system after an animal caused damage.
Board members approved routine business items — minutes, warrants and a slate of appointments — and acknowledged recent professional development and student recognitions. The meeting closed with the next regular meeting scheduled for Nov. 25 at 6:00 p.m.
The transcript did not record a roll-call tally for the major approvals; motions were seconded and approved as presented.
