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Sterling Board approves policy updates, MOA and Jan. 16 calendar change; music teacher resignation accepted
Summary
At its Dec. 18 meeting the Sterling Board of Education approved multiple personnel and student-policy updates including Title IX-related policies, approved a contract MOA, changed the 2024–25 calendar to make Jan. 16 a half day, accepted a music teacher's resignation and introduced a new hire.
The Sterling Board of Education on Dec. 18 approved a package of policy updates, accepted a teacher resignation and made a calendar change to accommodate parent-teacher conferences.
Board Chair Courtney Langlois called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and the board moved swiftly through a series of votes. Vice Treasurer Victoria Robinson-Lewis moved — and John Brady seconded — a correction and approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes of the Nov. 20 meeting; the board approved the consent agenda with 4 in favor and two abstentions (Dorothy Capobianco and Jennifer Mossner) after correcting a typographical error in the minutes ("John Brade" corrected to "John Brady").
Why it matters: The board approved several standing policies and administrative items that govern personnel and student discipline and clarified the official record of the previous meeting.
The board approved a set of policy and regulation updates on a second reading, including personnel and student policies referenced as P4000.1 and 5145.44 (personnel/student sexual harassment and Title IX-related regulations), R4000.1/4200.1/545.44, nondiscrimination policy P0521, non-lapsing education fund policy P3171.1, and suspension/expulsion policies P5114 and R5114. The motion to adopt the policies was moved by Victoria Robinson-Lewis and seconded by Jennifer Mossner and passed unanimously.
Business Manager Sara Howley reported on the monthly Budget and Expense Report and said work on the 2025–26 budget is underway; the board unanimously approved the Budget and Expense Report as presented.
On personnel matters, the board accepted, with regret, the resignation of music teacher Matthew Guevara; the acceptance was moved by Victoria Robinson-Lewis, seconded by Dorothy Capobianco, and approved unanimously. Principal Heather Nickerson introduced Julie Griffin as the new music teacher; Griffin is scheduled to begin on Jan. 2, 2025.
The board also approved a memorandum of agreement to add wording to the Director of Special Services/Psychologist's contract; the transcript records board approval but does not specify the exact contractual language added. In addition, the board voted unanimously to change the 2024–25 school calendar, making Jan. 16, 2025 a half day so parent-teacher conferences canceled by a December snow day can be rescheduled.
Chair Langlois also reported that a Tuition Agreement with Plainfield had passed and that a Coop Pride Football Agreement will allow neighboring schools to join the district's football program to help rebuild teams.
The meeting concluded with routine committee updates and adjournment at 7:20 p.m.
What’s next: Several items noted ongoing work — the 2025–26 budget is still being developed and negotiations with Plainfield are wrapping up before final presentation to the board.
