9/9/2026 Board of Education Business Meeting

001Welcome to this evening's Augusta Board of Education business meeting. It's September 9th, 2026 and we are here in the CATC cafeteria. I'd like you all to stand for a moment for the pledge to remain standing for a moment after. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The reason that I asked you to remain standing is I'd like to have a moment of silence in recognition of the 25th anniversary of 911. And when I took a minute to think about this today, I realized that all the kids in our schools weren't born when this event happened. But I'm sure all of you standing here tonight remember exactly where you were when it

002did happen. So I'd like to have a moment of silence for those families that were affected, for all the other people in our nation that were affected by that tragedy. Thank you. You may be seated. I have a few adjustments to make for this evening's agenda and I apologize in advance [clears throat] for so many adjustments that we have this evening but it's the start of school and these requests come late so we weren't able to get on time on the agendas that you have. So starting with item number six I'm going to remove Wendy Alt's presentation. she will be here in October and instead I'm going to substitute that with a presentation by Carrie Arsenal with Matter Cabins as 6A. I'd also like to add 15D athletic stipent. I'd like to add 20F a

003motion to approve the Coney German Group to travel to German immersion weekend with an overnight stay at Estis Park, Colorado October 8, 2026 to October 11th. chaperon by Deborah Bachmann. And I'd like to adjust add item 20G, a motion to approve an overnight professional development trip for Kelly Gilzo Stoellwell Stol to a uh to a conference in Fippsburg, Maine regarding um teacher negotiations and the teachers union on October 14th through the 16th. So I'll entertain a motion. So move second. It's been moved and seconded to make the the preceding adjustments to the board. Discussion hearing none, please vote. And with a vote of seven to zeros, those adjustments have been adopted. Next, I will proceed with item number five, which is public comment. And we do have an [clears throat] iner, we do have zoom

004available for people who would like to zoom in. and we decided tonight that we were going to give it a try to make sure that the Zoom works. So, we want to do that first, Mr. Tracy. >> It's working. We're all good. Okay. >> Thought we'd check that out. So, thank you. >> The primary purpose of school board meetings is to to conduct the business of the board related to school policies, programs, and operations. The board encourages residents to attend board meetings so they may become acquainted with the operation and programs of the schools and cordially invites any interested member of the public to attend and participate as provided in this policy. The board recognizes the value of public comments on school and educational matters to permit fair and orderly expressions of public comments at

005board business meetings while still allowing the board to conduct its business efficiently. The board has established the procedure below for regular business meetings. At special workshop and emergency meetings, public comment will be limited to the topic of the particular meeting. The following guidelines apply to public participation. The board includes a public comment period not to extend 30 minutes on the agenda of the regular business meetings. Individual speakers will be given equal amounts of time to speak during the public comment period limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker. Individuals may not relinquish a portion of their allotted time to another speaker. The time limits in this paragraph may be modified at particular meetings at the discretion of the board. The board will hear public comments from residents of the city of Augusta first, then

006Augusta students and staff. If there is time remaining in the public comment period once all residents have had the opportunity to speak, the board will permit comments from non-residents. Individuals who wish to speak are required to fill out the sign-in form available at each board meeting prior to the beginning of the public comment period and review a copy of this policy. Each individual will be required to state their name and town of residence before beginning their remarks. Individuals shall stand behind the podium during their allotted time for comment. Speakers will not be permitted to approach the board or walk or stand elsewhere in the room during their comment period. Speakers will be recognized by the board chair and comments should be addressed to the board chair. The board chair is responsible in for ensuring the

007orderly conduct of board meetings and compliance with this policy including the following rules of order. Speakers are expected to follow rules of common equi adequate and decorum and are required to refrain from engaging in disruptive conduct including but not limited to yelling, threatening others using words or by actions making defamatory comments, exceeding the allotted time limits, talking over or interrupting others, and offering comments on matters unrelated to school or educational matters. Discussion of personnel matters is not permitted during the public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of school department employees. For purposes of this policy, discussion of a personnel matter means any discussion, whether positive or negative, of the job performance or conduct of a named school department employee. Discussion of matters involving individual students are not permitted during the

008public comment period due to the privacy, confidentiality, and due process rights of district students. Any concerns about personnel matters and or student matters should be directed to the superintendent or another appropriate administrator outside of board meetings so that they can be addressed through an alternative an alternative channel and in a manner consistent with confidentiality, privacy, and due process rights of the individuals involved. The board chair will stop any public comment that is contrary to these rules. Individuals who disrupt a board meeting may be asked to leave in order to allow the board to conduct board business in an orderly manner. And with that, I will ask Jane Whiteside to the podium. Hi, I'm Jane Whiteside. Thank you again for the opportunity to come to present. I'm from Ward 4 and I know I've given presentations

009a number of times. Um sometimes they might have seen you look back at it and they look a little bit muddled. Um but uh you have a look opportunity to look at back at my present previous presentations. I have corresponded with you in the email. Um and hopefully the student member has got received information about what I'm going to be talking about today. Um, I know they have upcoming universal bus routes in 2028 and they're a concern of mine even though I don't have a student and I went to school on a school bus here in Augusta many many many years ago. Uh, MSAD number 60. I've been watching school boards. They've had a lot of concerns since January and they're they're in Noble Broadway southern part of Maine. They've had a lot of concern

010since January 2026. Um, I've seen it on their Facebook and YouTube about economic inequity and and school transportation in their school board meetings and have had public comment. One person commented and had started to talk a lot about this and this is about universal uh bus transportation which is coming up in Augusta. They have um transportation on demand. Um, one of the people in that presentation at that school board talked about a weather emergency and where students were who mattered had an app and were able to get transportation to an athletic event. Whereas those who didn't matter didn't have an and didn't have an app stayed out in the cold and literally and that's because they did not have an method of alternative transportation. I know you're talking about mattering in in the school board

011and that relates to how you measure it is related to the youth integrator um youth survey which is a state survey and I know it's we it's hard to find you can see in county level information but you don't get high school information I know that's controlled by the state I'd love to see that but I know that's the thing so we need to focus on the students needs versus students wants to talk talk about wanting to be needed versus students who have a need to be wanted. And finally, as you can guess, socioeconomics is the big differentiator. Thank you for my your time. >> Thank you, Jane. >> Next, William Clardy. My name is William. I'm Augusta. And I'm going to probably sound like I'm lecturing you guys for a couple minutes here. And

012that's [clears throat] because I'm still digging into or trying to find out how you guys dealt with your responsibilities regarding the student representative on the school board because um as you know, I did submit a photo request and your superintendent suggested or replied back that the student schoolboard member who was identified in a newspaper article as a member of the school board and the news article said she had been texting organizing the walk out with [laughter] um runs contrary to schoolboard policy. Uh he felt that her texts were private messages and therefore not subject to being interpreted [clears throat] by a member of the school board. However, looking at your policy about the student representative, um, the student representative to the board shall sit with the selected members and shall be recognized as a board

013at in board meetings as a an advisory non- voting member even though the superintendent does not list her on the attendance. [clears throat] Uh, the term of the Yeah. Also, little tidbit, a board member is supposed to be nominated or is selected to be a mentor for the student representative. Um, I don't know if you guys actually have or not. I haven't seen any indication that there is a a designated member. If there is, then it would be that member who should have been advising her on the fact that she was acting contrary to board policy. But if there wasn't, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, then collectively all of you ab who were members of the board at that time abdicated your responsibility to the student schoolboard representative because none of

014you mentor her about the fact that attendance is important. Disrupting school is against policy. It's also not defend protected as a first amendment right. So again, you guys, you were the grown-ups in the room. You're supposed to be helping mentor the student representative, keeping keeping that representative out of trouble, telling letting her know when she's in or out of bounds. And you know during meetings you should actually be including her in the discussions more than just you know getting giving a uh simple report and then sitting relatively silently for most of the rest of the meeting. You know during those financial discussions for the budget she should have been asked questions about how the students felt and yeah that that's the real crux of it. You know, why didn't you guys why did you turn

015a blind eye to somebody who is a member of the board and was actively organizing a disruptive walk out of the school. >> Your time is up, Mr. Clarity. >> Thank you. >> Next is Nick Blanchard. I'm sorry, but only one person can be at the podium. >> All right, give it to me. I I'll hold it. >> You was just going to hold something. [clears throat] >> You know what this is? [snorts] >> Nicholas Blanchard W for So, anybody know what this is? This is what the school board agreed to pay me because of your actions. And yet you still will not apologize. Anybody know what uh 1791 means? You know the significant of that? No. Well, that was the year the First Amendment was ratified. So, there's your history lesson. Not only that,

016you agreed to pay my attorney fees, which I'm not I'm not going to say how much it is. I'll wait for that to be public information. [clears throat] At a time during budget cuts when you're now making Coney students pay to play sports, how many kids could have could have played for free? I mean, I can tell you about at least over a couple hundred, but you don't care. You were warned. Yeah. Keep looking. Keep looking. You got a whole another two minutes. I'm just getting started. I'm just getting started. You have cost this district. Yeah. Go ahead, take a drink. >> It's getting hot in here. >> Kitchen's getting hot. Just wait until the public finds out how much you have to pay just in attorney fees. >> Everybody thought I was suing you

017guys cuz I wanted to get rich and here I am only getting $17. Wait. Wait. How many pissed-off parents that have to pay out the sports? They're going to look and see how much you cost them. You can smile all you want cuz come November. Byebye. You were warned. You were warned by James. You were warned by Katie. Hell, the organization fire even sent you a letter. And you just sat on your little tuffet, Miss Muffet, and didn't care. Well, now you can explain it to the taxpayers. And I still want my damn apology. Thank you, Mr. Blanchard. >> Yeah. >> Oh, this is for you, M. Gracie. I know I didn't bring you a shirt. That's for you. >> Next is Janessa James. [clears throat] >> Good evening, Janessa James, Augusta, parent and resident.

018Um, I just want to say, you know, I hope we have a great school year this year. Um, and I noticed that there was a few more, five more resignations along with the nine from last month. Um, I know you guys didn't really touch much on it, but it seems like it's a bigger issue. I did notice that three of the people who quit, it was on the same day. I don't think that's a coincidence. Um, so I hope you guys are talking to the teachers or I don't know if they're teachers or whatever their positions are, but the staff and making sure that they feel supported because what are we going to do if we don't have teachers left and you know I know they have to deal with a lot. Um, [clears throat]

019but anyways, just hope we're paying attention to that because I saw that more people are quitting or moving. I'm not sure because you guys don't really tell us the details, but something to look at. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move on to item number six, which is educational presentations. >> We don't have anybody on Zoom, do we? >> No, ma'am. >> Thank you, Mr. >> And our next item is Carrie Arsenal with a meeting with the mattering cabins. Thank you. Hi. >> Good evening. Thank you very much for the opportunity to present this to you tonight. My name is Carrie Arsenald. I'm part of the Augusta Kuanas Club. And for those who don't know, um the Augusta Kuanas Club has been operating in the Augusta area for over a hundred years. And the

020whole sole purpose is to serve youth in the communities in whatever ways that we see that they need to be served. Um it is an international organization with over I think I can't come up right now. [laughter] There are a lot of Kuanas clubs in different communities and [clears throat] they all focus on their own communities. But within those Kuanas clubs, we sponsor youth clubs as well. And one of those clubs is here um at Coney [clears throat] High School and we have two of our representatives here today. Molly is the club president and Cat is here as well. And they are part of the key club and I think they have over 70 members maybe. Um we meet in a couple weeks and we'll find out for sure. Um so we worked closely with

021the students um on some of their uh projects they're helping within the community and they work with us also. One of those projects came to our attention in the spring. They're called main mattering cabins is through main you thriving and they have partnered with um main cabin masters to um build these cabins and they're not big cabins that people can walk in. They're little cabins like the little libraries that house the books. And inside the cabins would be different things that would help people realize why they matter. There might be quotes, there might be color, you know, painted rocks, different things like that. Um, but the cabins can be put up anywhere that approves the cabin to be put up. So, Kuanas Club bought a cabin and we are hoping to put it here at

022the school. That is because if you look at the data that was collected, 50% of our youth feel that they do not matter to their community. So, we want to put this where the youth are so that they have access to it. As far as maintaining the cabin once it's up, um we would work with the key club members to make sure that it's being cared for and it's being stocked and all of those things. But as uh Kanis members, we would also come up here regularly to do that. So, that's the plan. Okay. Take any questions if you have them. >> Any questions for Carrie from board members from the public? >> Yep. I know you guys presented at the curriculum meeting last month and it was really exciting to hear the community partnership

023part of it. The positive, you know, the idea that it would be um placed where the most students and the community see it, which I agree this this complex gets a lot of traffic overall. My only sort of wondering and question is how we can get this maybe this is sort of the three months down the line or further in this type of program but to get more middle school students or just general students who don't feel um like they belong or like they matter because I do know that some folks in the clubs like they're the ones that are you know really engaged with school which is awesome. So, how do you guys also then work to engage students that might really feel like there's not even a place at Key Club for them?

024Right? It's that sort of like how do we meet those students where they are and in their regular walking paths in and out was an excellent place to do that. I think one of the questions at that meeting was why did we only get one? Well, you start everything with one and see how we can maintain it and operate it and then our club would consider getting another one to put closer to the middle school or somewhere else in the community. We mentioned Lithgal Library, you know, having multiple cabins um throughout our community spaces. So, uh one thing with the cabins is they come pre-built but not decorated. So, we would have Kanians with students and whether it's just key clubbers or it's other students, we could have a day of painting that together and

025stalking it together. So, we could try to do that and invite anyone and everyone who wants to participate. >> So, yeah, we can work off that. And I'll also say we have a K K kids club at Fington School too. So the elementary kids, they do most of their community service work within the school walls. But >> um I was just wondering how we were going to advertise this once the cabin is like officially put out to >> That's a good question and we haven't discussed that yet, but we have ideas and I'm sure the key club members have ideas. um you know, we will make sure we communicate all of that before the cabin actually goes into place. So, knowing that this will happen, we'll come up with an action plan and actually plan

026that out and make sure so people aren't, you know, walking by thinking, "What is this thing?" And um we want people to know what it is and be ready for it. And so, we'll work together with the school board, with you, with key club members and make sure that we have all that messaging out. >> [clears throat] >> I um was also at the curriculum meeting last month and um really appreciated the responsiveness to those really heartbreaking mattering numbers that you presented. So thank you for thank you Ann is here from healthy communities of the capital area and they work a lot on the mattering um aspect of it and they are doing a lot of other projects around mattering too um and they brought it to our attention. So thank you those numbers improved

027>> so are we. So >> any questions or comments from board members? Thank you. And we really do appreciate that you did take those steps and and it was an eye openener for myself as well to realize how many kids are reporting that they don't feel they matter. >> And I think it makes a difference when you see kids now that you take a minute and and just say hi to them so that you >> wherever they are. Yes. >> So thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Next is Mr. Tracy is going to present the augusta school department district goals. >> Yes. Well, good evening everyone. will tag team this with a few of us presenting but um in short I'll try to be as brief as possible so we don't have too long

028time here but um the administrators meet uh for what we call an administrative retreat or leadership summit for a couple days in the summer after the school board sets their priorities for the year and backing up from that school board yourselves set your priorities you're looking at prior prior year's data, uh, teacher feedback from the prior year, parent survey information, you're looking at test scores. So, this [clears throat] is these are goals that you're about to see, we call them in district administrative goals that really form from that organic process that I just described that sort of sit just underneath the board's priorities. So, you'll see there are four and they're up on the screen. Thank you, Caitlyn, for zooming in a little bit. But under number one, it says academic competency, critical thinking. Number

029two, comprehensive and consistent systems and innovation, financial stability, and stakeholder engagement and communication. So the first slide, there are a couple of slides for that first goal, which is developing academic competency. So there are a few things probably Mr. Shelby, but there are a number of things that um we're going to do with regard to multiple tiered systems of [laughter] supports and putting a districtwide system in and um in in general when I try to describe what is MT what is MTSS and what does that mean or just using education means Mr. Trusty? Well, if what I try to describe so that I can understand MTSS is when the check engine light goes on in my car, that's an indicator of something needs to be fixed in my car. Something needs to be adjusted uh

030attended to in order to have my car run. Now, that's not a perfect analogy for a student, but an MT an MTSS process begins with a universal screener. Shelby will talk about those specifically in a minute, but it starts with looking at every student K through 8 and how are they doing academically in reference to reading, math, and social emotional uh status in the beginning of the year. And then as trends develop with these youngsters in the beginning of the year and a check engine light pops on from one of these screeners, uh teachers can then begin to intervene uh and target the skills that the children has child has a deficit in. And that's really um what MTSS has been all along. But for the first time in our history, we're going to work

031together as a district. We develop under system's leadership a real district-wide system to be able to do this work. And then there's a monitoring progress monitoring process that happens every six to eight weeks maybe a little shorter that looks similar across the district where teachers are meeting staff are meeting in individual schools to regulate that progress on the student to determine are they ready to sort of mainstream back in or do we need to continue intervening or do a new intervention with reference to a specific targeted skill that might be a deficit particular child. So that's that's sort of a general understanding of a multiple tiered system of support that we've been talking about for a couple of years that we're seeing come to fruition this year. We've been developing it looking for universal screeners

032for a couple of years. This year we're moving to full-blown implementation. Have I forgotten anything? [clears throat] >> All right, I stole your thunder. >> No, sorry. Okay, so you'll see under this we said in implement MTSS research. We're looking at researching and establishing retention thresholds. We're looking across the United States, across the countries that what works in other places. And one of the things that has popped up a couple of times and we we can't ignore it anymore is having accountability at every grade level. And what would that mean if a student um isn't performing the way they need to to pro progress onto another grade level? Um we're going to be researching that this year. Um looking quarterly at the district MTSS review meetings which uh assistant superintendent Tibidos holding with staff uh

033training staff sharing TSS progress longitudinal data with the board and staff. We saying at least twice a year um which we look at at the midyear report and the spring um state of the school's address. Universal screeners. We have three of them. I mentioned differentiating our professional development, teaching the science of reading across the district. Focus on incoming staff, new teachers, and specifically grades 7 through 12. Um, go ahead. >> Also, um, looking at differentiated professional development for our multilingual learners and how best to support them. So, that's going to be part of it. um our MTSS interventionists will be participating in safety care which is um the deescalation and physical management of students. Uh also we are doing the uh racial and cultural bias and how that impacts um education in our students and

034[clears throat] keep going. >> Slide number two. We want to move on but multilingual training is eight on the list and then >> oh >> yeah great [laughter] >> okay um in part of that also is developing a grade level expectations like a one pager that talks about the reading writing and math for parents and what you have for expectations by the end of the year helping to get that out so that's parents know what this child should be able to do so that was number seven number eight I talked about In programs, collaboration and culture, we're looking at exploring an afterchool program at the secondary level to work on the academic improvement. We're holding structured grade level department and curricular teams really talking about the expectations of [clears throat] curriculum malign from K12. So

035Dr. Baptist implementing ninth and tth grade um CTE opportunities, career techn technological education really strengthen that verical collaboration for smoother grade level transitions particularly between 8th and 9th and sixth and seventh and that prek and k so that that transition goes smoothly. And again like I said the cult cultural awareness and bias training not only for staff they really we did a lot last year but [clears throat] this year it's going to be more they talk a lot round tables really talking about it getting in in depth of what it looks like and how we can address it. Um and >> okay keep going. Goal number two for the next uh there we go. Thank you is consistent systems and innovation innovative practices. There are four bullets there. These are big guys here. We're looking

036at um what is the best way to utilize our resources in the district. Uh, one of the things that's happened over the last couple of years is that we've had the the reduction of five or six elementary teachers. That's now putting us in a position where we're having to move kids throughout the move teachers and kids every year now because we're um having to restructure where the staffing are and where the the student bubbles are. And unfortunately, that's disruptive to education. And so we're really taking gonna need to take a hard look at um is is is it time to look at a reconfiguration of our elementary schools on the west side of the river? Um we know that that's coming in the next three years on the east side regardless with reference to a

037new school project. Um but does it make more sense to um have two different types of schools? And we've talked about this. It would look like grade span schools where you'd have all of the westside preschool through grade two in one building and say three through six in another building. The there's a major con there. Folks are used to neighborhood schools in Augusta. We really don't have neighborhood schools. There are a lot of students, yes, that can walk to some of those schools, but there are a lot of students now that are pushed out of zone, okay, for multiple reasons. And so we think that something in order to improve education, to improve education for kids, we need to take a hard look at is there a better way to do education particularly on the

038west side of the river. We're going to need to examine that this year. Number two, advance the new Fington construction project. That goes without saying and just a plug. The referendum to vote for that bond is this November 3rd. Just throw that out there. Uh we'll say that a lot. There's a wonderful um information. We'll be putting more and more information out on that in the coming weeks. Number three, we are researching and that's coming before you uh next week and next month uh for the board to hear the full-blown presentation as they did last month at curriculum ed on the universal start time. is a uh a group of teachers at namely the middle and high school, but it expanded to a full district uh review this summer of research on sleep sleep research

039particularly in adolescence and does it make sense to start school later uh for particularly our middle and high school students and what would that look like if we were to run universal start time. And so I just met with that group today. They set the proposal up to me and I do I endorse the work and I'll be bringing forward their recommendation and mine for us to really look at a universal start time for next year. We do plan uh to have a public forum on the 29th is that is that right people? 29th of 29th of September 6 p.m. at uh up here at the high school. um September 29th, 6:00 p.m. And that will be to have a full-blown public hearing, a a forum, excuse me, a forum for parents to come in

040and community members to come in and hear about the pros and cons of a universal start time and to ask any questions that they would like. Number four, um we're looking at the differentiated training and accountability in our financial and staffing modules in Munis, Red Rover and Getbacks. number three. >> Um so under sustainable and transparent um financial planning. So, a big thing that we're focusing on this year is collaborating with um the city officials to streamline the budget process and trying to meet with them a little bit earlier um to get an idea of um what they need to be looking from us as far as a school budget and um different versions of the budget that we might be able to bring forth to see how that might impact taxpayers going forward in

041an earlier time frame. Um and hopefully that will help with the planning process moving forward. Um so normally we start that process here in um late November, very early December. So possibly meeting with them October and moving moving forward. Um develop a budget forecast that kind of goes with that to make sure that we maintain a healthy fund balance. Um, so as we know the fund balance is important. Um, another way to look at it for those that may not fully know what a fund balance is, it's it's a somewhat of a savings account for the school department. So it's something if an unexpected cost comes up, we might be able to utilize. Um, but it gives us a way to offset um what the local contribution might be come budget season. um but also

042if something unexpected happens during the school year that um we would be able to cover that cost. So having a healthy fund balance is really important for the school and for the taxpayers equally. Um present um cost reduction models early in the budget. That kind of goes with the first thing that I mentioned um working with city and bringing forth multiple um cost reduction models so that we have a better understanding going into presentations to the city of what that might look like. Um and maintain the district's financial sustainability plan. Um so last year we created a financial sustainability plan. Part of that plan is that I meet with the superintendent weekly to go over our budget. Um so I have started that review process with him. We did the first signing of many documents

043today. Um so we are fully enthralled in the budget um and making sure that um this year goes smoothly and years in the future. So um that work has just continued on from what was implemented last year. All right. And lastly, we have the fourth goal, which is clear, consistent communication channels, working to continue the feedback loop for students, parents, the board, the community. We established a feedback digital forum last year. We'll continue with that. Uh working to figure out how we can share the whole picture of the ASV with the community a little more holistically. here's here are successes. Here's here are our challenges. These are things we're working on. You know, it's really not us versus them. It's not a it's not that situation. We're the community school system. And we really think

044it's a great year to be able to say we need everybody's help. Like if you know if there's certain groups that think maybe uh we could improve, maybe we could reach out to that group to say how can you help us improve? And um so instead of you know it's it's we're cut we're infighting a lot. That's what we've been doing and I'm I'm not satisfied with that. I'd like to find a way for our community to work together to make us better. So that's sort of that and and it's incumbent upon me. I take the ownership as a superintendent to find a better way to sort of share our story to make sure people have all the information they can uh have to to [clears throat] see where we can improve and things that

045we can do to get better and share our strengths better. Number three, develop a parent advisory group. We're looking for a way. We have individual PPOs. Um, but is there a way to solicit a district level parent group to make sure um, you know, there are a lot of parents that maybe they're intimidated to to speak with one of us, etc. How do we make that a little more common practice so that parents have access, direct access to me or Shelby to ask maybe difficult questions about what's in this curriculum? I heard this about the Maya survey or this, you know, people are saying this about your schoolbased health center. Can you tell me really what's going on there? So that having those kind of real conversations with parents as best we can. So we

046we're looking to start that parent advisory group at the district level. Um send positive monthly communications. We've talked as an administrative team about how we as a staff can do that. um and highlighting daytime community business showcasing uh what the ASU is doing. So that kind of goes with one of those other um bullets. Okay. And then lastly, one district challenging every student or like we will take any questions you might have on your district goals this year. >> Board members, >> I think you're stunned. Member Park. >> Well, just to remind the audience here and at home, um, these are on the agenda, they're accessible. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, just because these are >> a little bit hard to read [clears throat] from here, so people can look at them up close and

047personal at home. >> Thank you. >> Anything else for board members? >> Just just a couple things we're going to be working on. Just a couple of things. >> Just a couple of things. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Next is approval of minutes number seven. A motion to approve the minutes of the Augusta Board of Education business meeting on August 12th, 2026 and the special meetings on August 3rd, 2026 and August 26. 26. Do I have a motion? >> Chair W. >> Take a second. Second. It's been moved and seconded discussion hearing. None. Please vote. And on a vote of seven to zero, the motion is approved. Next, we will entertain the superintendent's report. Mr. Tracy, you again. >> Yes. Thank you again. Um, the school year is off to

048a great start. I'm going to let the administrators present, so I won't um won't belabor that, but the school the staff is doing an amazing job adjusting to some new principles in their schools, adjusting to new staffing protocols, new new uh positions. Um it's really a lot of change this year and our staff is doing it um seamlessly and with a ton of effort and just doing a great job. So I'm hearing great things already out of the schools. Um I I want to mention again it's been 25 years since 911. I I remember exactly it was my first or second year of teaching and so I remember vividly being in that moment and how scared I was. And so just thank you for taking a minute to to honor that today. Um we are

049having a joint meeting with the city. We're I've met with Mr. mills to set up. They're hiring a facilitator to work with our board and the city council together, all of us, in a joint meeting to work through ideas on how we can improve, namely the budget process, uh, relations and ideas to improve the budget process. So, that is underway, part of our goals and something that we're working on. And again, I I've already highlighted it in in the presentation, but the universal start time is something that, you know, we don't we don't pretend to think we haven't thought of everything, although we've thought of a lot. The staff has done a great job to go through data and just you'll and folks will see that as it gets laid out this fall, but there'll

050be plenty of time for the public to come and ask questions, to see there's information on the website. uh to on uh on the school department's website under um universal start time for folks to research themselves the research that's been done. And just again reminder that on the 29th of this month at 6 pm up here, we're having a community forum on that. We'll stop right there. Entertain any questions? [clears throat] >> Questions for Superintendent Tracy >> Wood. Um, you were talking about the public forum for the late start time. Are [clears throat] students allowed to attend that if they have any questions? >> 100%. Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Member Baker. >> Thank you, Chair with uh Superintendent Tracy. Earlier in the report, it looks like there's a delayed implementation for, let's

051see, having automated external defibrillators at the school property for athletic events. Um, do we currently have any AEDs on our school property? >> We do. We do. And ours are functional. >> Okay. >> And we have, um, trained staff. I believe the new statute says something about um, there has to be an athletic safety plan, which we also have. It's just going to be a matter of bringing all of ours up to date. I have athletic director of mains already working on that. Um, so, um, I don't know if [clears throat] that answers your question, but we'll be bringing that to the policy committee in the next in the next couple of months. >> Great. Thank you. >> Other questions for Superintendent Tracy? Hearing none, we'll move on to the assistant superintendent Tibido's report. Just

052a reminder, if you would like to see the entire report, those u links are in the agenda posted online. Thank you. really I just wanted to highlight that we had the new teacher orientation that was in August. uh two clear themes that came out were about relationship building and who to help seek help from um really about the platform and curriculum tools that we're using and then um really I try to do a balance of the logistical pedagog content really about the theory of what we're doing why we're doing what um and really the pacing across those two full days and then they have the third day in their classrooms So, it was a lot of information thrown at them. Um, but I think it went [clears throat] well. It was good. Feedback was strong

053on the positive tone, the organization, and the content that we did. So, that was good. Um, I do want to do a tour of the city next year. I think that's important for some of our new teachers to know where the schools are and students list. That's something they'll have. um extend school year services is special education services for um children that they receive during the summer and that was done during July 14th through the 16th. So in my report it talks about how many students participated in that um and what our staff and ratios were etc. Then I also added in the title one summer learning program that was held at the same time and how many staff recorded what our goals were and that's all in my report as well. One thing I

054do want to just kind of highlight is that as we're talking about you know this cultural bias and racial language is really putting a focus on it. It is part of um the CTA curriculum which is our ELA curriculum between That's great. Um and the use of um really working with students and and guiding them in understanding what you know it's an outdated term such as negro um the use of the nword is not tolerated um how it's offensive and then really talking about the history and the text of that and what that represents and then really being able to talk about how to recognize that not only with with race but other um words that we're using as well. So, that's going to be a real good focus this year. >> Thank you. I

055have a couple of questions. One is how many new teachers did we have? >> I won't hold you to the exact number. >> Uh 11. And are we fully staffed? >> One at the high school. >> Yeah. And CC. Is that a teaching position at the high school? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And a teacher at M. >> And I just what so what was interesting is you know the people that are resigned and I I know that we talked about this in the personnel committee meeting is that um a lot of the people that I say most of them went on to you know become an assistant principal or went on to become a principal or went on to a different opportunity. their family was moved. [cough] So

056there were exit exit interviews and that was all discussed at the personnel committee meeting. >> Thank you. Other questions from board members? Member Baker. >> Thank you chair with them. Assistant superintendent. Now that these new teachers have been onboarded and gone through orientation, what does the onoring ongoing mentoring and um support look like for them for the rest of the school year? So, um, new teachers in the district are assigned a mentor teacher. Um, that is done through our certification. [laughter] Um, and so that's someone in the building or someone in the district that helps with, you know, the to curriculum. um as well as if they're a new teacher totally then they are assigned a vendor for two years. >> Thank you member Parks. >> Yeah, I just wanted to highlight the the resignations

057as far as MTSS interventionists having four of them on the list. I'm I'm concerned how that is going to impact our um implementation of MTSS. >> We were able to fill those positions except for one. >> So three are filled and one is still vacant. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. Business manager report. Business manager Ross. >> Thank you. Um we are continuing to work with um Red Rover on implementing um time and hiring. Um we did provide training to um a a small group. So we provided training to secretaries first before the school year started. Um and they were able to give some feedback which we were able to implement pretty quickly. Um, and then we provided training to the group as a whole

058on opening day on how to put an absence into the system. Um, I have to say the Augusta school department, everybody has been great about trying to use the system, giving feedback, um, me trying to fix things quickly for them so they can continue on with their day so they don't have to worry about that. But everybody has been just so wonderful about being patient and giving feedback. that's really been productive that either I can fix or then go back to Red Rover and see if there's anything we can improve upon there. Um, and Red Rover has been great customer service-wise um about helping with [clears throat] those. And they also have a portal that if they can't do something, you can um supply a suggestion um and once a month they actually have a

059group that goes over all the suggestions they implemented. So, they really do watch those um which I think is great. So, we're continuing to work on that. And I just again want to say thank you to everybody because everybody's been so great at just being patient and giving feedback along the way. Um, we are now focusing more on the time piece of things. Um, most recently we worked with them on the overtime and um, comp time that some of our employees have and they're a little different because of the different contracts that we have um, and trying to implement that into Red Rover um, because there is a field for just one type of overtime um, and having to modify that against the different contracts. Again, they [clears throat] great with it and they're working

060on getting our specific system modified to that. Um, so really focusing on getting the time piece implemented so we can stop using paper time cards sometime in the future here. Um, and the hiring piece is kind of ongoing in the background. So every time we have a chance to work on another section of the hiring piece. We're really working on that to try to get that implemented quickly as well. Um, and that piece is really exciting for me. So may sound a little weird, but I love it. >> [laughter] >> So, um, so hopefully that will be coming soon. Um, our FY25 audit is still in process. An extension had to be requested with the main part of vacation because our extension expired August 31st. Um, so we're just waiting to hear back on that.

061Um, Superintendent Tracy and I have been working with the city to obtain a credit card. Unfortunately, we had a potential fraudulent transaction on our card and had to close our account. Um we had to close another account previously because it was some in some um previous employees names. Um unfortunately we weren't able to open another account with that company cuz they no longer offer public school credit cards. They only offer them to small businesses. So um we decided to reach out to the city to see what they use and see if maybe we could utilize the same system but separate city and the school department. So fortunately we were able to do that. So we are working um with the same procurement card program that they have to try to get that onboarded. Um because

062of the specialty type of card it is, it does take a couple weeks because there's a special system that I can manage our employees in. Um give give them different spending limits. If they're [snorts] not spending properly, I can turn their card off. So there's actually a system that I can go in and manage those cards. So um they're providing training on how to do that and then they'll be providing us um cards for the employees that require them. Um so it is happening. It's happening as quickly as possible. Um but it is taking a couple weeks because of the type of system it is. Um we're currently reviewing the organiz organizational structure within our HR payroll department. Um we're finding that the needs of both of those functions are a little bit more than

063the employees that we have can kind of handle. We had a recent retirement. Um fortunately that person is still helping us where needed. Um but we've had a bit of transition that um paid family medical leave is turning into quite the beast for lack of a better word and it's taking a better part of our employees time. Um so we have hired again a temporary part-time um employee. Her name is Nicole Neil. Um she uh is certified in human resources. So the plan is to potentially have her focus on human resources um but also be trained in payroll. So right now if somebody is sick or has a VA emergency in payroll that only leaves one person um and payroll is a two function aspect. So each person does a different type of the payroll.

064Um so really too much for one person to handle. So um hopefully she'll provide a little bit of backup for that. Um so given that we are also looking at the department as a whole and trying to figure out if there's a better way to organize that system and um the staff members that we have. Um and August financials we have 10 months or 83% of the year remaining and there is 39,71,357 or 94% of the expenditures remaining. Um, again, we're reviewing the budget lines weekly. Um, and so far the only lines that are spent over a little bit, there's only three of them and all three of them were because they're one time summer like subscription or dues that we pay. So eventually those lines will catch up with everything else. And that's >>

065And when you say they're overdrawn, they're just overdrawn for the percentage for this time. >> Yes, they're over the 83%. >> Thank you for that clarification. questions. Deborah Barry Pierce, um I can't remember if you mentioned last month uh a request for [clears throat] the extension on the audit. What's going on with the audit? >> Why? [laughter] >> So, um unfortunately, the previous audits have taken a little longer. So, the starting time of the audit we are in has been pushed out. So, number one, the starting time is not where we would hope it would be. Um and then because it's a combined audit with city and school, it takes a little bit longer. Um the current audit firm that we have has said that it was a little bit more than expected. Um but

066they are working diligently. I know that city has received draft um combined financials. So the school wasn't separated out. there's there's no separation of the school yet that they at least have draft combined financials which is a good sign because that means that that the final audit is coming. Um so when we kind of get those draft financials it's kind of like a okay things are going to start happening now again. Um so they're in constant communication and asking for things when they need them. Um, but because it is a combined city school audit and because it did start a little later than hoped because other audits have taken a little longer, unfortunately, it's where we are now. >> Since we're in se Oh, sorry. May I go ahead? Sure. Since we're in September, uh,

067what's next year looking like? Should we anticipate this kind of schedule again next year with with another request to DOE, Department of Ed for >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yes. because unfortunately again it would start later. >> Yeah. >> Parks. >> Thank you. Um [clears throat] about the um staffing not shortage or uh that there's so much to do with PFM PFMLA etc. Um and you're using temp people to fill in those gaps. Um, has there been any discussion about budget season where we may need to look at an expansion of staff in that department? >> Yeah, so that's definitely something that both Superintendent Tracy and Assistant Superintendent Tibet and I have been um reviewing and looking at and that's why we're looking at the organizational aspect of that office as

068a whole. Um, and even though the member that we have in there right now is a temp, come later in the school year, if we still need her and or if the funds are available, we may keep her to help us get through. Um, we're hoping that once Red Robber is fully implemented that that will assist in taking some of that off of our employees and making it more efficient. But again, we're not sure until we start using it completely. we're not really sure if it will be helpful or add additional work because there is like a import of data that has to happen into our payroll system. So, we're evaluating that constantly along the way um and always getting feedback from that office as well. Thanks. Other questions? Hearing none, we'll move on to

069reports from other school officials. Hi, I'm Kayla Seora. I'm the adult ad director. [clears throat] Um, we started our classes, our academic classes last week. We had a lot of new and returning faces, so it was nice to see people in our wing of Uker. Um, we'll start our enrichment classes next week, so we're super excited about that. I hope you all got your brochure in the mailbox. Um, I just wanted to touch base on what some of our goals are for the school year. So we would like to increase our enrollment by 5%. So that is a goal that we have this year. Another goal is to strengthen student retention. Um support student success and graduate 30 students with their high school diploma or high. Last year we graduated 27 um and that was

070the highest number since precoid. So um the staff and I made the goal for 30 this year. So, we we're hopeful we can do it. Um, but ways that we're going to hopefully achieve these goals are through implementing TSTM. So, TSTM is teaching skills that matter. And that's the program that's recommended by the state adult ed office. So, it's kind of like MTSS, but the adult edit. Um, you know, us, we like to do things a little different. So, um, we're going to use the Cassus assessment and quarterly data reports to inform instruction. Do you all know what the Cassus assessment is? I can't give you the exact names, but it's a basic reading math um, assessment that we give all of the students that come in for academic programming. Um, we can drill down

071into those assessments and see where students might need some support. Um and then we provide instruction based on the students needs. Um we are also going to provide targeted professional development training and peer observations. That's something that the teachers really liked was being able to get into each other's classrooms and observe [clears throat] each other. Um we are going to maintain retention practices and then continue our monthly retention and curriculum meetings. We are going to stay connected with students through email communication, Facebook, social media, things like that. Um, we are going to recognize and celebrate students. One thing that we all agreed to do this school year as a staff is have a student of the month and we are going to post that on Facebook. So, please, please make sure you're following us. Um,

072and then community and workforce. We're going to continue to strengthen our partnerships with the community members that we already work with. Um, I'm going to continue to have the adult ed advisory committee. I am a part of the Rotary group. So, I'm going to continue to attend those meetings and hopefully make some more connections to local businesses. And we are going to expand student pathways. We're also going to continue to participate with the main adult ad association and I am on the board of that. Um, and then sustainability. I'm going to look for more grant opportunities and we're going [clears throat] to plan and manage our resources. I'm going to monitor my grant funds in my budget as I already do. I might annoy Janine a little bit, but I'm always checking. Um, and we

073are going to strengthen our system and processes for long-term sustainability. Any questions? >> Member Park. Well, not questions but additions. You also now on the capital area mayors project board. >> I >> correct. Yeah. >> Which is a really good relationship. >> And uh you also are providing or um having a citizenship class. >> Yes, that is a new class that we're offering on Wednesday nights. We have two students that signed up so far. So, please spread the word. We're really excited to offer this. It's a big need in our community. People have been asking for a while. So, share that with whoever you come across that might be interested. >> Is transportation to your programming a barrier for people? >> Um, at times yes. >> Is do you address that or is that >>

074we don't. Um, sometimes there are grant fund opportunities for transportation, but the problem is there isn't really public transportation in Augusta. So, when we have had grant funds to pay for transportation, it's still been an issue. >> You might want to keep your eye on the city [clears throat] council because I know that they're pursuing opportunities for at least a public transportation on the west side. >> Okay. >> I heard talk about that. So that might be something to keep your ear open to whole city. I got a city council. Whole city >> whole city. >> Member Reynolds. >> Uh it will the casses help maybe mitigate the amount of hours needed class time after the test. >> So we can put casses testing towards their academic hours. Yes. >> So that um so Mr.

075Reynolds is referring to they the students have to have a minimum of 12 hours in our program to be considered an NRS eligible student in order to test for their high and that would be a very like highf flyier somebody that's going to be in and out. Um but somebody that comes in and they're academically prepared to take the high sometimes it's hard to get those 12 hours because they're already ready to test. So >> sometimes transportation is a barrier to make those 12 hours and if you don't get it in [clears throat] time they can't get into college and then >> Yes. >> Robert, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Good >> work. >> Any other questions for board members? >> I was I was wondering how attendance is once they sign up

076for the class. Are people coming? So when I >> percentage, but >> when I entered the district and this is my fifth year, attendance was a real problem and it's I'll add um so we implemented an attendance policy two years ago now where we and Kayla that walked into this district would die hearing these words come out of my mouth because I came from a much smaller program and my whole philosophy was eliminating all barriers and why would you ever have an attendance policy? These students are already at risk and have so many barriers. Well, Kayla, that's working with 447 students thinks a little differently. So, we do have an attendance policy. We have five excused absences. So, a student if they're sick, their child's sick, they have a transportation issue or a holiday um

077that maybe we don't observe in the program, those are all unexcused and they just have to let their teacher know and we make a note of it and they're fine. We have three no call no shows. So, my philosophy is we are getting these people ready to go be active [clears throat] members of society. If you know call no show to work I mean I Mr. Tracy if I no call college no show to work >> a couple days. [laughter] >> So I want to prepare these students for the workplace. I want to prepare them for college postsecary education. So the three no call no shows like you're out not forever just until the next semester. Um and since we've implemented this our retention rates have increased. So, and if they reach the five unexcused

078ab or five excused absences, they have a meeting with me or our advisor and then we determine if they can stay enrolled in the class. If they've been making up all of their work, they're good to go. We just have a conversation about school's important. We need you to be here. What we talk with the student and find out like what the barrier is to see if we can help. Um, but yeah, where it's really the no calls, no shows that we say, "I'm sorry, you have to come back next semester." And then they usually learn pretty quickly. They need to come to class. >> The text messages definitely help. I've seen people respond well because when you encourage them, [clears throat] >> you know what? I do want to go. I've seen it just

079recently since you guys started doing that, it worked. >> Yes, we use a text messaging system with all talking points. >> Remember parks? And later on in the agenda, when we get to the student handbooks, uh you can look in your agenda and see the ACE policy >> and it includes the attendance policy. [snorts] >> Any more questions for Dr. Sakura? >> Thank you. >> I hope elementary is next. >> [laughter] >> So, we have three of us here tonight. I'm Aaron Hartell. I'm the principal of Gilbert School, and I have collected all of the germs from all of the hugs. So, I sound a little bit funny, but we're going to present about our goals. Um, I'm going to start. So, we have four district goals as Mr. Tracy went over. So, the elementary

080responsibility in these, um, we're beginning, right? Everything is just at the start. So, we're going to have progress for you throughout the year. So our plan for the year is to focus in on academic growth for our students. We are looking to strengthen student academic skills and critical thinking through rigorous and engaging instruction. Our pilot program being one of the things that we're working on. Our target is a 3% increase in overall student achievement on state assessments. And much of this work is running through our MTSS. So as we process that out and we implement fully, we'll see a lot of that work happen there. We have established a shared schedule model across the elementary schools. It's not a shared schedule because we all have nuances in each building, but the model is the same

081in each building. Uh expectations will stay consistent. We will be meeting in grade level teams every 6 to 8 weeks. And using our three universal screeners, we have reading, math, and social emotional learning. We'll continue professional development in the science of reading and in support of our multilingual learners. and we will consistently review our data multiple points at multiple points during the year. >> Like not to catch principal hard >> stand over here. [laughter] >> Heather Gothier, principal of Harington Huzzy. So the second goal I'll be talking about is the consistent systems that allow for innovation. So this goal is about running our buildings consistently where it matters while giving teachers room to try new approaches. So, as you know, for elementary schools, we each kind of have our own vibe, but also trying to

082make sure that we are leading consistently with the practices um no matter where we are. Um as we'll measure this through staff survey, looking for a 3% improvement in consistency across our schools and programs. In practice, this means that our monthly elementary admin meetings are used for collaboration expectations along with dedicated time for grade level and vertical teaming to take place. Um we actually meet more than that. We have weekly admin meetings. So part of that we also do some checks and balance with each other. Um transitions matter as well which includes prek to kindergarten and then as well sixth to 7th grade and drawing on the expertise within our building for more professional development because as you know we don't have much of that this year. So really having to draw upon what we

083have within our building to help grow our practices and we do have a wealth of that. We're very fortunate of that in Augusta. Um the third goal is the sustainable budget. So this goal is a financial plan that keeps our programs and staffing stable. It remains transparent to the community. It measures a 1% improvement and satisfaction read through the voting results. Our responsibility as your elementary leaders is to understand and explain our financial reports more clearly to work closely with the business office on accurate spending updates to be fiscally responsible with all of that and to make sure that our working with the superintendent board to understand the elementary needs as well >> and Tina McDonald the principal at Lincoln. So I get the last goal and then to close for you. Um so our

084fourth goal is really on engagement and communication. Um and we have been working on this for a while. Our it's really to strengthen our connections among our students, our families, our staff, um the board and our community partners and especially for most of the elementary um administrative staff. It's we have to build new relationships this year. Um so we are aiming for a 3% improvement again on the school climate survey that we give out several times a year as a district. Um that work includes continuing with our family events that we've had. Um sharing the good things that are happening in our schools through our social media account and our websites um and our newsletters, tracking participation in these events um so that we know what's working. Um, we'll continue to send out invitations to

085the board, um, city council members, bringing community, um, agencies [clears throat] in as partners, and we're going to use these, um, events to help connect our families with school resources and possibly community resources. So again, through these goals, these four goals, we share a common purpose. Um, we really want to be more consistent in how we support teachers in our schools and how we run our schools. Um, and continue to connect um, with the community that we serve. >> Thank you. Questions for any of our elementary principles? Member Reynolds? >> No question. Just a comment. Really appreciate the email with the Gilbert PTO uh, opportunities. I think that's a really cool way to uh invite people in the community and also maybe cut some staffs. It's fun. I like that. Thank you. >> I will

086make a quick plug. Gilbert PTO is probably the most in development of any of our elementary PTOs. So, if you have nothing going on on the 17th, it's our first meeting of the year. Um we meet at 5:00 in the music and art room. It's room one at Gilbert. You'll see the lights on from the road. Uh we have put out a little menu and it's going home with kids in their backpacks this week. A lot of times people think that the commitment is huge in what you have to do and that you have to commit to all the things every time, but really it's not. And I think the menu that we've put together gives you an opportunity to come in and do pieces and just be a part of something. So we're really

087excited about that. So if you have a friend, if you want to come, if you are appearance, if you are in another PTO and you want to come and inspire us, we welcome you on the 17th. >> Thank you. >> Also on the 17th, just put your Huzzy. Um I know Mrs. Clark's not here today, but she did send an email that is their walking taco [clears throat] night. So you can go to Gilbert PTO and then swing over to Huzzy 5:30 to 6:30, get something to eat, grab dinner. Um, our PTO is not in [cough] anybody. [clears throat] >> We just jam-pack your calendars next week. >> Thank you, member parks. >> Well, just to put a plug in for the the treasure chests that you have at your schools for prizes for kids.

088also [clears throat] clothes closets you have and toiletry closets that you have for your for the sweeties. Um, you know, let the board know. We many of us would like to help. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. Thank you very much. >> Good evening. My name is Kim and I'm the principal of Coney Middle School. Um, and you probably have a theme here. We're all supposed to be talking about our goals. I want to tell you we had an outstanding opening. So exciting. And that was pretty challenging with um no cell phones or smart watches or um all that stuff. So students are doing great. Our cafeteria, our food court is so chatty. It's unbelievable. Like we are like what is happening? Maybe Aana will have something to say about that. But

089anyway, so I'm gonna go over our goals in a different way. I'm gonna say C. C is that we are going to utilize our MTSS coach, which for the first time is at um the secondary level, which is very exciting, and also continue our partnerships with our career fair also. See, um you can imagine what I'm working for um is to spell our amazing school. And so, um, we have a lot of partnerships with a lot of community organizations and we are so lucky that they want to help, um, to educate our students. O is I just kind of adapted to that. We have three universal screeners that we're doing and so I said they're online. So, let's do online. So, CO, we're going to be implementing those, training our staff how to use those

090and um, really diving into some data on how we can like um, align with the elementary school in particular, the middle school. Um, so we have we have some work to do that. All right. N I got to find my N. N is we have a new MTSS framework. Um, and that is um we've been working on it for quite a while and now it's really everything that we've been working on is coming together. So that's going to be fun to get that going. So that's uh why and we're going to say yes. Yes to continue apply for innovative grants. We've been able to secure a bunch of them and so there's a couple of ones out there. So that spells c o n y pony. And then ramps. We're going to research and propose

091universal start times which um our superintendent talked about. We had a it kind of it was the beginning of that was through the innovative schools process which we're involved in as a as a school on school improvement. And so we're going to continue with that. Um a actively participate in the multilingual learners. We have a the actual author from the book we read last year coming. So, that's pretty exciting. And we're going to have one of our own speak to the entire um school. And I'll wait to surprise you about that, which is pretty exciting. And M I actually said, so very good, but it was hard to find an M. So M is we are going to be doing the Munis Red Rover and this that give back program, which we're going to need

092to train all our our um stipen people about how to use that. So that takes a while. And then also that the red roper. I mean it's very intuitive but that's a process for people to get going. And then I have S um which um this is a stretch but uh anyway um it is we're going to work on the program studies. Um remember that we got a grant to do the extended learning opportunities. So we're going to need to come back and talk about that um for the Aspire grant that we have. And so we're going to want [clears throat] to make sure that we have um the um e grade level expectations, making sure that we're including things like um the um ELOs's and we have to do S also stands for the

093science of reading. We need to do some work on that. Um elementary's already done some work on that. So we've kind of done some introduction. Uh but there we like amended a whole course um this year to do morphology which is study of linguistics of words and stuff. So seventh grade is going to be working on that. We're already implementing a whole bunch of things that should hopefully improve scores. So that's dance with con SO [laughter] >> any questions. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> Um I was wondering what the Aspire grant was. >> Oh, great question. Um, so we got a million dollars over five years to really focus in [clears throat] on creating a K, maybe even preK 12 system to encourage students to prepare for their post-secary experience. So, um, the

094elementary, we hired a person that's going to be working with the elementary to create things that can help students start to think about like different career paths. And then, um, Miss Floyd's going to be working with extended learning opportunities. We're hoping to get that going like in January um for the ELLO's to get students to start being able to do that. Kind of like the SIS that we have student instructors similar to that. >> Thank you. Other questions for Mrs. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> All right. First of all, I feel like I'm like standing in Fenway Park because I'm trying to look at home plates over here and I have to keep doing this. So, >> all right. So, at Capital Area Tech Center, we have four. >> How about introducing yourself because this

095may be the first time that some board members have had an opportunity. >> Oh, I'm Kim. Listen, I am [laughter] Tony High School. Chad B. I am the d the new director at Capital Area Tech Center and glad to be here. Um I'm going to follow Kim Sue and I'm going to go catsy c. Some of these will have no correlation to their letter but just go with it. Um so the first c let me go to the screen that I can actually see here. Um we want to implement opportunities for younger students to get to cats. Um this year, uh the staff actually last year started to put the leg work into doing an exploratory program, uh for ninth and tth graders. Um I'm very happy to say that there are 44 kids as

096of right now that are enrolled in the um exploratory program. So um kudos to the staff who put that together. Um, kids are going to get a little taste of uh, culinary arts, uh, automotive, um, construction, and business. And, um, we're still in the process of hiring that unique person who can fit all four of those, [laughter] uh, silos, but, um, knock on wood, we're we're going to have somebody soon. Um, so for the A, again, you got to use some liberty here. uh review current practices to decrease barriers for attendance. What? There we [laughter] go. Attendance and get students in the seat. Um again, we are going to be monitoring our relationships with our sending schools. Um which is going to be another goal which I'll talk about in just a second, but this

097the work that the staff has done already last year. I'm not going to take any credit for this. Last year our enrollment was about 330 and right now we're at 430 432 I think is the exact number. So um yes some of that is we started a new program with the exploratory you know 44 kids but we're still up over 60 kids than last year. Um one thing I've noticed and I see one of the instructors here Mr. Connor. Last year we had four new instructors. Three at the beginning of the year one midway through the year. One thing I've noticed is the three new instructors, they were taking over in some cases um a program that had been uh non-existent for quite a few years. And so really bringing new energy, new thoughts um

098in those different industries is really showing the gains in those uh programs. So um the staff has done really great things and I know Mr. Tracy when I got hired said one of the things we have to boost enrollment. I would like to sit here and say, you know, people found out Chad Bell was here and so just they're coming out of the woodworks. They want to come to school, but that is not the case, right? I'm not going to take credit for something I absolutely had nothing to do with. So, uh, great things going on there. All right, T. Uh, each program will research and solicit feedback on best practices to inform programming changes at Katsy. I guess there's a T in there somewhere. >> We're going to be going to MAC meetings. So,

099uh, one cool thing about in career and technical education is every career and technical education center, all 27 in the state, all meet up in October down at Lewis and uh, you know, the firefighting instructors will be with other firefighting instructors and the machine tool teacher will be with other machine tool teachers where they talk about best practices. What are some of the things that the industry wants you to do? Um, things like that. So, it's really kind of a unique thing. It would be like being able to get all 120 high schools, 180 high schools in the state of Maine all to come together for one day and get all the math teachers together. Like it's unheard of. So, but in CTE we're able to do that which is kind of cool. We have

100a state review this year coming up at the end of the year and I know my staff was like, man, [clears throat] your first year director, why are we doing this the first year? Well, we're doing it because well, we have to. Uh the second thing is it's a good time to just evaluate what we're [laughter] doing. Uh we're working on getting our program reviews um uh going in October uh which is going to kind of start that process of reviewing each and every program looking at industry standards with some industry professionals um and giving us feedback of what's going on and where are some areas that we could possibly go. Are there equipment needs that uh you know, for instance, auto mechanics need uh a new lift, let's say, uh that you know, with

101newer cars, they don't fit on the old lift. So, is that something we have to replace? You know, things like that that really kind of keep um our tools and our skills that we're teaching kids um at the most relevant level for uh the workforce. Um and the last uh number four which is our last C uh foster stronger relationships with various stakeholders including sending schools, families, community partner seat community partner. Um I've already started reaching out [clears throat] to all the eight sending school principles to start meeting. Actually I'm have my first one tomorrow. Um where I just it's just a way to sit down and have a conversation with the sending school principles. I want to know from them what are the barriers that get your kids over here? You know, what are

102the things they don't know about our school? You know, uh, one of our new newer programs is is our business academy where students can earn 30 college credits over their two years. U, really cool stuff going on that I don't think everybody knows. So, I want to highlight programs like that. highlight, you know, what's going on in firefighting, EMT, and law enforcement, and how they're trying to make a partnership that really benefits all of them because if you go into one of those three fields, you need to work together, right? So, my two instructors, Chris included, are really trying to come together and how do we make that happen? How do we do that? What are some combined trainings we can do? Um, so I really want to be the cheerleader of those things. Um,

103as you can tell, I'm kind of excited about it a little bit. Um, again, I want to do that same thing with school counselors, with superintendent. Um, get out into other CTE schools. I'm actually doing a site visit in Rumford in November to learn about the school review process. So, it's like if I'm going to have people come in here and give us feedback, I want to be able to go and see, okay, what is it that they're looking for that I can come back to the the staff and talk to them about? But um yeah, I don't know how I did with the letters, but uh >> it's hard to meet Coney Rams, but you know, >> questions for Mr. Bell. >> Questions, >> Mr. Uh yeah, I that makes me really happy uh

104here. I remember you from when when we all went out there. It's uh an idea Sam and I spent some time in the machining area. I got lost. I think it was like three hours. I had to go home from there. Uh trying to find ways to like make it more uh advertising. I think another cool way where you're taking phones from kids is maybe doing like cool videos and putting them on TVs in the cafeteria because now kids are going to be forced to pick their heads up. [laughter] Just little things like good ways to advertise the cool things that you're talking about. So I don't think a lot of kids know. I don't remember. And I went to Waterville. Waterville has one of these. I did not know that they even provided that

105there. Uh probably my own fault, but uh thinking now I probably would have been more engaged if I knew some people. >> Well, and I think too, you know, and I was at, you know, back in the day a boat kid, right? Um that stigma has changed a lot. >> Yes. you know, some of the things that the the highlevel skills and the technology use that is being taught in all professions is really high caliber stuff and um I don't think we do a good enough job in education in general, not just here, but um where we advertise what those opportunities are. You [clears throat] know, I took advantage of it in high school. I grew up in a potato field, you know, um in high school, I was always found in a potato field,

106like I was just always working and doing something like that. Um, but my son goes to Midming Technical Center in Waterville and you know, is it anything that's going to develop into a career for him? No. But he's learning skills that are transferable in any career that he wants to, you know. >> Thank you. >> Other questions for Mr. Bell? >> He had a great debut. >> Thank you. Well, that was fun to follow. And now my closer is going to come up. You're going to be competition. [laughter] Good evening. John Stoner, director of buildings and grounds. Um, actually, I didn't know that they were all going to talk about goals tonight and use words. So, my word tonight's going to be microfiber. [laughter] Now, we'll be we need more microfiber. I'm just not going

107through that whole [laughter] word. I really wanted to get up and just talk about the start of our school year. uh very successful, safe start to our school year. I know that our budget was extremely tight and we did not have barely any money towards capital improvements, but my staff work very hard. I want to really compliment them on we did we always look at safety every summer and what what we can do. But we dove deeper and deeper into the buildings and took more time and did more of that. Um, you know, as far as going through and looking at classrooms and outlets and documenting what needed to be repaired, getting those things done. Um, I would get supplies as needed, working with my maintenance staff. We were very successful in doing that and

108I'm very proud of the work they did and I wanted to publicly thank them for what they do. A lot of people talk about me, but it's really about the whole team top to bottom. Um, I want to also put a quick plug in about the upcoming referendum for our uh, Fington edition. Um, I I hope to go to a lot of those PTO meetings and answer questions and get more information out. I want to thank Caitlyn Rodriguez for all the work she's been doing. She gets stuck with all the IT stuff all the time. And we definitely want to help her with that. And we're going to try to get some advertisement stuff that she's helped me with to to get that going to like at football games and different events. And so we

109want to make sure we're getting that word out to people about our state funded school that would not affect our local tax dollars but would be funded through uh state funding. So that's very important to me. Um and also we'll be talking about it later with our emergency operations, but I'm very happy that I was able to work with all the principles and our resource officers to to do our annual safety audit. We look at safety continuously throughout the year, but there's a requirement to do a full annual report which we've completed. Uh, so I'm very happy that was very successful and we have we've improved so much every year that some of the things we've talked about, you know, don't come back up again because we're staying on track. Such as simple things as

110keeping trees trimmed, line of sight, different things like that are, you know, we're paying more attention to that so that doesn't come up like it used to. So we might make a comment that we're continuing that work. Uh, so I'm very excited about how well that's been, how much we've improved on that. So again, thank you for your time. I just wanted to be able to thank my staff and also I had a member that just retired late this summer. It was a tough decision for her. She was an outstanding employee, a veteran employee. We were very fortunate to fill her position with somebody from the Augusta Parks and Recck Department and provide this person with a yearround employment versus seasonal. Uh came with really good reviews from the city and we have found he

111is outstanding. She did help train him and she even said this this is a great member to add to our crew. So I'm very happy about that. So thank you. >> Questions for Mr. Stonia? >> We do use a lot of farmer too. [laughter] >> Thank you, John. >> Any other school officials? Hearing none. Item number 12, Mr. Tracy. Resignations and requirements. >> All right, we are on item A. I have five Julie Bar monitor at Hudie Joe Wan. Joseph Wan MTSS interventions con Oliver TSS interventionist Gilbert Julie RoTSS interventions Harington and Haley Casey MTSS interventionist at Harington. We wish them the best on their new endeavor. >> [clears throat] >> Keep going. >> Retirements. >> We have a retirement. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Um this is Brenda Katwaler in our central office. Uh has

112retired from the payroll human resources position in central [laughter] office. And I know um Miss Ross, our business manager here, was just talking about we've been looking at again structure of our office. And anytime there's a retirement or resignation, we looked at is there a different way we could do this, a more efficient way we could do this. But of course, we we wish Brenda best in her retirement. >> Thank you. >> Questions from board members? >> Mr. Baker. >> Thank you, Chair Wam. Uh, Superintendent Tracy, I think earlier earlier you said three out of the four MTSS interventionist positions have been filled. Are they all the elementary ones? What we ended up doing was we had to take two of the MGS interventionist at the 72 level to get thes as far as so

113that was um the other three are at the elementary level and those have been other questions. >> Thank you. On number 13, recognitions. Um, I'm pleased to announce, we announced a little while ago that Gretchen Livingston had been selected as the KBEC County, one of the KBEC county teachers of the year for the state of Maine. And I'm pleased tonight to announce that she has been further selected as one of the four finalists for the state of Maine. So Gretchen, we're wishing you best of luck in in this in this I don't know if you want to call it a competition, but you and [clears throat] and I know that we all think that you should be the main teacher of the year. So thank you for being one of us. Um, so first of

114all, I'll just say that it's an honor um not only to recognize and represent um Coney Middle and High School, but the entire district of Augusta Public Schools. I have worked in this district since the fall of 2003. So, it's been a few years. [laughter] I was in the old building for a few years and I've been here since this building was built and when the middle school came up. Um, so it's a huge honor for me and I want to acknowledge that that does not happen without a supportive school board over these many years, the work of everybody at the central office, our administrators, worked with many of you guys, um, all of my colleagues within the district, and of course all of our students and their families and the community. Um, this wouldn't

115happen without everybody lifting up our teachers and supporting us. So, just a quick update on what's happened since I saw you in June. Um, luckily I have Caitlyn Rodriguez's assistance in IT. So, we were asked to submit a video um of our classroom along with a reflection of how that video went. Um, and that is how they determined the eight semi-finalists out of the 16 county teachers of the year. Then eight of us went to Oro in July. We gave presentations, mock keynotes. We had to submit a portfolio and we participated in a panel fielded questions about educational policy among other things that we didn't know what the questions were going to be from that group of eight. Um they announced the four of us that are now the finalists. So the next step is

116a site visit which will happen in a couple of weeks. They'll come and spend some time with us here at Coney which is wonderful. Then there's a final in-person interview and then by midocctober um everyone in the state will know who who the main teacher of the year is. Um whether or not that is me, it's just been an amazing experience and I've grown so much as an educator just interacting with all of the other people in my cohort and being exposed to so many other things. So I know Deb [clears throat] Bachman's experience, right, our German teacher who was the Kbec County teacher of the year for 2025. um all the amazing things that she got to do and and the things that we're going to get to do together in our district. I'm

117really excited about having the platform to speak and I know it's been brought up, right? We need to ask our students and then we heard about kids not feeling heard, not feeling seen. And so I want to use this to really listen to what our students are saying and also to elevate everybody's voices no matter what language they speak. So, we need to celebrate all of our cultures. >> Um, listen to every language and recognize that language, we see it as a barrier, unfortunately, but it is an asset and we really need to celebrate that. So, I'm excited to raise the voices um of everybody in our district and in our state. So, thank you very much for recognizing me and we'll see what happens. [applause] >> [laughter] >> Next is board member Black for

118the student council report. Good evening board members. Um I hope you guys are all having a great week. So as we get settled into the new school year, here's a few updates from the student perspective of Coney. Starting off with sports. Um most of our middle and high school athletic teams have begun. Um, most of them have had their home opening games and we're looking forward to a fantastic season ahead. Last Friday we actually had an amazing pep rally to get the student population hyped up for school spirit. Um, also a huge shout out and thank you to the sports boosters for all their incredible contributions. They're doing a wonderful job providing our athletes with everything they need for their chosen sports, especially with paytoplay. It's a huge responsibility there and we are all thanking

119them. And moving on to school updates, the new red day, white day schedule is officially in effect and according to student um opinion, from what I've heard, what I've seen, it's going very smoothly. Um, additionally, as Miss mentioned, the no bell-to-bell no phone policy is actually being implemented really well um across uh middle and high school. And I will also say that many students have had questions regarding the late start policy which I will be updating them about with the forum on the 29th. Um so I hope their details and questions can be clarified. Looking ahead, picture day is this Friday, September 11th, and most Coney student clubs will start to make meet next week. We have our club fest Thursday and Friday. So, tomorrow and Friday for extracurriculars and special announcements, the Coney German

120language program will be welcoming exchange students from our sister school in Germany um next Friday, I think that is. And we're still looking for six host families. I think we have two boys and four girls that still need to be hosted. Um please contact our German teacher, Frab Aman, if anybody's interested. And again, huge congratulations to Miss Livingston who is named one of our top four finalists for teacher of the year. We are so proud of her and grateful for everything she does for our students. And I am not sure, but a lot of people have seen on the Cody socials that I have posted and made a short video in collaboration with Miss Scum. So, I would call this my first sort of act as student representative, but I am starting a little Ahana's

121corner on the Cody socials where after each schoolboard meeting and right before the upcoming schoolboard meeting, as soon as the agenda gets released, I'm making a short video for the students of Coney High School to watch um regarding the issues and topics from the last meeting and what's on the agenda for the next meeting. And this past weekend, I made a quick video just explaining what's upcoming um and how I'm going to be implementing that. So far for feedback. What I have heard is lots of teachers have seen it. Um some students are still a little confused on what it's all about, but I think with the next video once things finally start to pick up, I think it'll be a great little addition. And to conclude, we're off to a strong start and I'm

122looking forward to keeping both the board and the student body updated as the year progresses. >> Thank you. >> Remember, for the new members, can you explain what Clubfest is? Clubfest is a um sort of mini event that happens during our lunches where all the clubs throughout Coney High School put up posters, signs, flyers either in the gym or the lunchroom space where students are allowed to walk around there. They have signup sheets usually or QR codes or some sort of way to get in touch with the clubs they want to get into. For example, if I wanted to get into Key Club, I would go up to the Key Key Club poster or trifold and find out how to either join the Google classroom. There's team reaches. Um, just a means to contact them

123and to get involved in their club. >> Thank you. Other questions for member member Pierce. >> Thank you. Um, are we on the right social media platforms to reach students? because I will tell you that when I was the student representative to my school board a long long time ago, Facebook was the only way to access people and I'm just wondering if if our school department is accessing students through social media or if we need to be on a different platform. >> Um, I definitely think Facebook is a great like outlet for parents even though these videos [laughter] down. [laughter] Um, like I was saying, they're a great outlet for parents in the broader community, but the Cody High School is also on Instagram, which is targeted towards more of the young student population, which

124is for [laughter] for um because the videos are targeted mainly for the student body instead of the broader community because it's the students that I have to connect with. Um, Instagram is seeing a pretty good outlet for all of these things. Um, honestly, most students are either active on Instagram or Tik Tok, and I know that Coney really isn't active on Tik Tok in that sense. That could be a potential future way out um idea. But as of right now, we are on Facebook and Instagram. >> We have an account on Tik Tok. I just use it. >> I think we need to figure it out [laughter] more. Other questions for member bot member Baker takes me a minute and last names. >> Thank you chair with them. U member bot if it's um if

125you're interested and you feel like it'd be helpful for the student body too. I speaking for myself I'd love to hear more updates from what the Coney clubs are doing. I know we we get pretty regular updates on the athletics and sports, but um there's so many clubs and so many other extracurriculars that are going on too and it just if you're able to fit that into your reports and you felt like it was beneficial um I know I would appreciate hearing some updates throughout the year. >> Yes. And to piggyback on that, um, as I mentioned, I think it was my first report, I am going to start like bringing either handouts or flyers for upcoming events for, uh, board members to attend, such as Key Club hosts one October, Novemberish. It's called Callaway

126Coffee House. It's a tribute to one of our teachers. Um, there's many band concerts going on, band, chorus, jazz band, and I will let you know. >> Thank you. Other questions? Hearing can I interrupt? I'm very sorry. Do you want to talk about homecoming? >> Yes. Um homecoming. [laughter] >> Do you need help with that? >> Um just a little bit. Homecoming is the week after next week. Um, we will have our homecoming football game that Friday and then Saturday will be our homecoming dance >> bonfire on Wednesday night. >> Bonfire will be on. Do >> you have the date on that? This >> I didn't want to interrupt, but I we John told me we forgot it. So, I'm so sorry. So, yeah. So, we're going to have homecoming week um from the 21st

127to the 25th 26thish. We're gonna start with a middle school um homecoming dance on the 18th from 6:00 to 8 if anybody wants to join us. Super fun. Um and then the rest of that week, every day there's some kind of sporting event which we'll send to you. Um and then the 23rd is that >> [clears throat] >> um fire >> bonfire um wonderful thing that we do. Um so that's exciting about that. And then um the um dance as Aana said is >> Saturday night and that's from 7 to 9 and if anybody wants to join that too you're welcome to come to that. Thank you. >> Any more questions? Hearing noneformational items. I'd like to recognize a donation of school supplies that were donated to the elementary school by LEA events. There's B5B.

128There's advisor stipens are listed if you'd like to see who are the adviserss in the co-curricular activities. Professional development that's taking place is Dylan Fington Huzzi safety care Lisa Comey Olympia Snowfall Forum Lisa Floyd athletic athletic that's my next one. Lisa Melmat peer learning and D number is a list of the athletic stipens as well. Number 16 is the committee reports. I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the finance committee personnel committee policy committee curriculum and education meeting with and building committee for August 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Discussion. I'll take Bobby Joe's on that one. Discussion hearing none. Please vote. And on a vote of 7 to zero, the motion to approve the above mentioned minutes have been approved. There are no

129consent items this month. Number 18, I will entertain any board member comments in or discussion on non-aggenda items, noting the change in that it's five minutes per board member. Do I have any board members who would like to either comment or discuss a non agenda item? Member gear u Pierce, please. >> Thank you. Um, I just wanted to comment, um, as a parent of both elementary and middle school students in the district, um, how incredibly smoothly things went despite all of the changes, especially at the elementary level. Um, we had a lot of nervous little peppers, including this particular mom, in our house over the last month or so. And um all of that anxiety was for not at least on our end because all of your hard work has paid off. Um it was

130a very smooth process for parents um both at the middle school and the elementary school um that my kids attend. So um really big kudos to all of the staff who have worked really well together to make that a seamless process for families. Um, I know that you all are holding a lot of things together right now and um, I hope that you all um, had a nice Labor Day and get to take some nice time for yourselves in the in the coming weeks because it has been a really really successful start to the school year um, for all of my kiddos. So, thank you. >> Remember, it's [laughter] only been four years. Um, I just want to say, yeah, welcome back to school. Um, I really appreciate it. I I couldn't attend them all.

131I think member Baker has the best attendance when it comes to [laughter] um but the popsicle nights um and just the ability to sort of stand on the playground. There's no information. There's no registration. It's just come be uh come enjoy your summer on the playground. meet your I know for a lot of the principles it's meeting new staff or getting to know continuing to know staff. So um it was just a it just showed the glue again it's another representation of the glue of the community which is all of the things that you guys do just outside of the school day at all to have um students and parents come together. So thanks for hosting the stuff that was just totally on top of everything else. >> Member Bish. Well, I just wanted to

132second what um member Bar Pierce was saying as a parent of a senior at the high school. Um and really I really appreciate the smooth transition as well and super excited to see her in her final year. >> Thank you. Enzad River Parks and um I [clears throat] was at the Oakton house at Ferington School and um there was before we opened the doors for everybody to come in, there was a line from the door all the way to the parking lot of parents and kids waiting to come and meet their teachers and um start the year. So, it was really encouraging and we ran out of cookies. [laughter] >> Any other comments? Hearing none. No unfinished business. New business. I'll entertain a motion to approve the second reading of policy KBF, parent family engagement.

133So, moved to second. It's been moved and seconded. Discussion hearing. None. Please vote. And on a vote of 7 to zero, the [clears throat] second reading of KBF has been approved. I will entertain a motion to approve the school year student handbook updates as presented on the elementary handbook, the Coney handbook, the CATC handbook, and the adult education AAC student handbook as well. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. Do >> I have a second? >> Second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the school handbooks for the 26th 27th school year. Discussion [snorts] member parks. >> Thank you. Um I have quite a list. Um and none of it is typographical. Um so I I don't feel I frankly don't feel comfortable passing these handbooks at this time. um for the elementary handbooks.

134Um there was something on page seven in first paragraph that uses the word normal or the phrase normal development which normal is really um I think a term that's pass now. Uh I would think more typical. Um then [clears throat] there was nothing at all about chronic absenteeism and we just have this year a new policy well actually started last year a new policy about that. So I I really think that should be included in the handbooks. Um, on page 10, um, I wonder why the, uh, contact information for FURPA offices is not on that page about student records. Um, on page 14, uh, there was it said that meetings with teachers could only be conducted via Zoom. And I I was surprised to see that. So, I'm wondering about that. Um, let's see. Page

13515. I think there should be an example of the chain of command it's referred to, but it's it's not there's not an example of it. Uh, page 22, I think there should be an email address given for Shelby Tibido, the affirmative action officer of the school district. uh because all it has is her her address. Um and [clears throat] I also believe that the word harassment should be listed in that description of affirmative action since it's such an important part of the duties of the affirmative action officer. Um, I really liked the way that Coney Middle School and High School wrote about um the affirmative action officer and the harassment. Um, so that's it for the elementary schools. Uh, going to the high school, middle school, high school handbook. Um, under tardiness, it said that

136the student would need to have a health appointment note, but it doesn't mention by whom it should be signed. And I would think that for anyone younger than 18, it would need to be signed by a parent or a guardian. Um and let's see in the cell phone usage the acronym AP is used but I think it needs to be written that it's the assistant principal and uh there is a typographical area and error in that section as well. uh in the special education uh section of the middle school high school handbook, it says special education slash chapter 504, which is not chapter 504 is not a statute. It's it's section 504 of the of a very old uh civil rights statute. So that's that's not correct. Um, and then in the dress code it

137says hoods are not permitted in school. I thought that we had talked about that hoods could be worn as part of a do as part of a garment but that the hoods would not be put over the heads. And again in the attendance policy there is no mention of chronic absenteeism which is a big goal for us this year um because it's we are having problems with it. Um, as far as the adult education, I didn't find anything uh there uh because it's not in a school district building. So, it doesn't have the policies about um the different um policier overseas. So, thank you. I I just don't think these handbooks are ready. >> Thank you. for this school year. >> Further discussion from board members hearing none, please vote. In favor of approving the

138policies, please raise your hand. Opposed and a vote of six to one. The motion to approve the handbooks passes. Next, I'll take a motion to approve the 2026 [clears throat] 27 Augusta School Department emergency operation plan. So moved. >> So you moved and seconded. Discussion. And I think I sent you a note reminding you that [clears throat] there is a very detailed plan available that the parts of the plan are not necessarily available to the public for security reasons on on where people might be. But we do have access to a school board version of what we can see. And that is available online. >> That's available on the board drive. on the board drive. I'm sorry. Yes. Discussion. >> Oh, >> I'd be happy to give you the background if you would like it.

139>> We're good. >> You don't need it. We can carry on. >> I think we're good. Those in favor of approving the safety plan, which we do annually. And in a vote of 7 to zero, the safety plan has been approved. >> It's called the ASD emergency operation plan. >> I'm sorry. The school department emergency operation plan has been approved. I'll accept a motion to approve an overnight and outofstate professional development trip by Lindseay de Santos to the IFEBP International Federation of Employee Benefits Programs annual conference in New Orleans October 26 through the 28th. >> So moved. Is >> there a second? >> Moved and seconded discussion hearing none. Please vote. And in a vote of 7 to zero, the motion has been approved. I'll accept a motion to approve an overnight professional development trip

140for Steven Balani to the main association for health, physical education, recreation, and dance at the Samet resort on November 1st 20 26 through November 3rd, 2026. A motion, please move. Second, I'll second discussion [clears throat] Mr. Tracy. Madam Chair, just a comment about all of these from a funding perspective. I I think it's important to note that the board reduced or cut professional development. So all of these activities are either federally funded, self-funded, they're nondist funded. We'll provide a substitute. Uh but that's the extent of the cost to the district. So um just wanted to make sure that you know what you're approving is not something that's coming out of our budget lines. Thank you. Further discussion hearing none, please vote. And a motion to approve the overnight trip for Steven Balani has been approved

141and a vote to 7 to zero. Next is item 20F. A motion to approve French PAC group to travel to PACH German immersion weekend with an overnight stay Estus Park, Colorado October 8th to October 11th. Chaperon by Deborah Bachmann. >> Have a motion. >> So >> second. >> Moved and seconded. Do I have discussion? >> Hearing none. Please vote. >> I do have discussion. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> French. You said German. French. And it is just German. >> Oh, I don't know where I got French. Must have been those nine years of French. I My apologies. to approve the pony German group to travel. Further discussion hearing none, please vote. And a motive 7 to zero. The motion to for the Pony German Group to travel has been approved. 20G. I'll accept

142a motion to approve an overnight professional trip for Kelly Gilzo Stole to C O A B S um synopsis and NEA conference in Pittsburgh, Maine, October 14th to the 16th. So moved. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll take I'll take Bobby as a second. Discussion hearing none. Please vote and a vote of seven to zero. The motion to approve an overnight trip for Kelly Gilzo has been approved. And that being said, make before you make a motion, just for the people who are here, the next item is a motion to enter an executive session. Prior to doing that, for those listening, I would just like to go through the upcoming meetings. On September 14th, we will have the finance committee 5:30, personnel 6:30, policy committee 7:30 here at the CATC cafeteria. September 23rd,

143we'll have a building committee meeting at 5:30, followed by a board of education workshop at 6:30. October 5th, starting at 5:30, there'll be finance personnel 6:30 and policy at 7:30 here in the CATC cafeteria. October 14th, curriculum and education, 5:30 in the conference room to hear in CATC cafeteria, followed by a board meeting on October 14th at 7:00. Building committee October 28, 5:30, CATC cafeteria, followed by a board of education workshop at 6:30. And with that, I will entertain a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to one MRSA subsection 5046A. >> 4056. What did I say again? 504. 504. That's another thing. 4056A regarding personnel and evaluation of the superintendent. So second move and seconded discussion hearing none, please vote. And at 9:05 we will enter into executive session. >> [laughter]