Elma School Board approves improvement plans, seeks waiver to reduce 180‑day requirement and adopts 2026–27 calendar

Elma School District’s board approved school improvement plans for Elma Elementary, Elma Middle and Elma High School, adopted two board governance policies, approved several booster fundraisers and accepted a facilities change order — and voted to request a state waiver that would reduce the district’s 180‑day minimum school year to 176 days.

The board approved the three school improvement plans after presentations from building leaders who reviewed recent assessment data and priorities for the coming year. The Elma Elementary presenter said the school aims to “duplicate” instructional practices that helped boost second‑grade reading proficiency: “87% of those second graders are at grade level in reading,” the Elma Elementary Principal said, noting teachers had shared approaches that the school plans to scale across grades. The elementary plan emphasizes implementing effective teaching practices, a systematic MTSS tracking process led by Katie Gallagher, and more family engagement events.

In a separate presentation, the middle‑school presenter summarized a comprehensive needs assessment and targeted supports for math and multilingual students, citing a reported improvement on a sixth‑grade I‑Ready metric from about 40% to 53% (a roughly 13 percentage‑point change). The high‑school presenter outlined plans to expand "building thinking classrooms" in math, run a summer math readiness camp and boost multilingual literacy supports, noting seven students earned the advanced seal of biliteracy this year.

On policy and governance, the board approved Policy 1820 (board self‑assessment) and Policy 1822 (training and development for board members) on second reading; both motions were approved by voice vote. The board also approved several booster fundraisers — including Lady Eagles and girls basketball boosters — and a change order to add an accessibility ramp at Davis Field (change order no. 2).

The board voted to approve Resolution 1‑2627, authorizing the district to seek a waiver from the state’s 180‑day minimum school‑year requirement so the district can consolidate eight half‑day parent‑teacher conference slots into four full‑day conference days. As explained by a board member, converting the half days to four full‑day conference days would create two full no‑school days during the Veterans Day week and reduce the required in‑session days to 176 for the school year; the waiver application would be submitted to the state for approval.

All recorded approvals in the transcript were taken by voice vote and the minutes show motions were moved and seconded; the transcript does not provide roll‑call tallies or individual member votes for these items, so specific vote counts are not specified.

The board closed with routine announcements: the last day of school, reflections on graduation, a joint board retreat with Summit Pacific scheduled for Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and a budget hearing set for July 22 at 5:30 p.m. An executive session was scheduled later in the evening, and the meeting adjourned by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records board approval (voice vote, tallies not specified) of meeting minutes for May 26, 2026; an amended agenda (strike 10F); the consent agenda; booster fundraisers (Lady Eagles, Elma Egg Boosters, Elma girls basketball boosters); Policy 1820 and Policy 1822 (second readings); Elma Elementary, Elma Middle and Elma High School improvement plans; Resolution 1‑2627 (waiver of the 180‑day requirement); the 2026–27 school calendar; and Davis Field accessibility ramp change order #2.

Next steps: the district indicated it will submit the waiver request to the state and will hold a budget hearing on July 22 at 5:30 p.m.; an executive session was scheduled later the same evening. The meeting adjourned.