Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Finance And Academics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gurdon School District board approves financials, policies and improvement plans; reviews assessment data and retention decisions
Summary
The board approved the April financial report, a wellness policy, student accident insurance and the 2026–27 improvement plans; administrators presented preliminary assessment data and outlined third‑grade retest and retention plans for 14 level‑one students.
The Gurdon School District Board of Directors on May 19 approved routine financial and policy items and spent substantial time reviewing school improvement plans and preliminary student assessment data.
Rhonda, district finance staff, presented the April financial report and told the board that escrow‑tax timing and two payrolls this month increased expenses. “We’ve done two payrolls this month, so you will have a lot bigger expenses this month,” Rhonda said. The board approved the April 2026 financial report on a voice vote.
Under business and policy items, the board adopted a district wellness policy (language taken from the state school board association) and renewed the district’s student accident insurance with the Health Special Risk plan. Drew reviewed available plans and Jerusha provided claims context: “I put on there was 21 this year, but only seven of them filed,” she said, referring to recorded injuries versus insurance claims. The board voted to renew the policy; the annual premium discussed in the presentation was about $3,700.
The board also approved a salary schedule change intended to bring all paraeducators to the top‑level para pay so staff shifts do not create pay discrepancies.
On curriculum and improvement planning, Miss Hart and Miss Riley presented district improvement plans for 2026–27. The plans rely on Atlas assessment data, continued use of high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM) and targeted, tiered interventions. “For our reading and literacy goals, we are going to continue to work to develop our strong literacy skills,” Miss Hart said, describing expanded professional development, targeted reading interventions and plans to integrate writing across content areas.
Administrators detailed student performance and retention procedures. Presenters said 14 third‑grade students scored at level one in the district assessments: committees so far exempted two students, two are currently slated for retention, and 10 will retest next week on reading and writing to inform promotion or retention decisions. Parents were notified and district staff said committee review will use multiple measures including classroom performance and intervention records.
What’s next: the district will complete the formal bid opening for the elementary addition, finalize assessment windows, and return with contract recommendations and final assessment results as available. The board recessed to an executive session and later approved a listed “Purcell package” as presented during that session.
