The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education held a meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. It was conducted on Zoom due to ongoing concerns with the current COVID-19 surge. You can watch a full recording of the meeting on our YouTube page. Here are the highlights:
- River Trails Education Association (RTEA) representative Natalie Hudson spoke on behalf of her fellow members. She thanked the Board and administrators for an effective working relationship as well as the positive nature of ongoing contract negotiations. Board member Frank Fiarito later credited the RTEA for productive contract negotiations and said, “things have been going very well.”
- Board member Louis Camardo noted the shoe drive being organized by the Prairie Trails Parent-Teacher Council. The goal is to collect at least 7,500 pairs of shoes by the end of February. More details will follow as the drive commences next week.
- Board Vice President Janine Freedlund and Mr. Fiarito were recognized for their volunteer efforts at Prairie Trails School. Superintendent Nancy Wagner thanked them for stepping up and regularly helping out with recess supervision throughout the school year.
- Matt Tombs, director of innovation and technology, offered a potential solution for improving the district’s cybersecurity. Mr. Tombs recommended procuring the services of Forward Edge, a technology services provider. The Board will vote on this recommendation at a future meeting.
- Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Kristine Seifert made a presentation and recommendation regarding the 2022-2023 district calendar. The Board will vote on the proposed calendar at the February meeting.
- River Trails Middle School Principal Mary Krall-Meske and Assistant Principal Kyle Henkel provided information about potential schedule changes at the school. Among the reasons they are exploring a change is the opportunity to increase instructional time and reduce student stress. They presented a few options and talked about the process that has gone into consideration of a change. Mrs. Krall-Meske and Mr. Henkel will continue to research and explore options and will make a final recommendation at a future meeting.
- Dr. Wagner and Communications Specialist Ben Finfer updated the Board on several communications initiatives the district has undertaken throughout the past year.
- The Board approved updated student fees for the 2022-2023 school year and a budget timeline for the next fiscal year.
- Dr. Wagner, as part of her superintendent’s report, delivered an update on the work of the District Equity Leadership Team (DELT). She added that a comprehensive DELT presentation will be made at the March board meeting.
There will be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, February 1. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 15. Both will be at River Trails Middle School, if conditions allow for an in-person meeting. You can email the Board at boe@rtsd26.org.