Board Update - December 5, 2025 Megan Heil

Thank you to the Highland Elementary community for welcoming us into your school for our December Board meeting. We were grateful for the opportunity to see the thoughtful, student-centered work happening throughout the building. The “Shine the Light” presentations continue to be a highlight of each meeting—offering the Board, and our families, a real look at how every school is growing, what challenges they’re tackling, and how they’re supporting students day by day.

Highland Elementary shared several encouraging academic trends, including four-year highs in CMAS math performance and strong 5th-grade ELA proficiency. Their leadership team also outlined four priority areas guiding instruction this year: deeper ELA engagement, improved consistency in math interventions, accelerated language development for multilingual learners, and more refined progress monitoring for students with disabilities.

Their transparency and focus on continuous improvement give families confidence that progress is intentional and supported by research-based strategies. The commitment to student success is evident, and we are truly blessed to have such dedicated staff across the district.

At this meeting, Board member Steven Beaulieu and I completed the Oath of Office, and all Board members renewed our annual Confidentiality Affidavit. We also held our required Board reorganization, filling the roles of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for the upcoming term. These steps ensure stable governance and reaffirm our shared commitment to accountability and service to the community.

Assistant Superintendent Jenny Nipper provided updates on important instructional, operational, and community engagement efforts. She also shared her gratitude for the many teams—communications, transportation, nutrition services, instructional staff, and so many others—whose dedication keeps our schools running smoothly every day. Their work makes the difference for our students, and we extend our sincere thanks.

Superintendent Banghart then shared his monthly report, offering a broader look at districtwide operations and long-term strategic priorities. Key highlights included:

• Ongoing efforts to recruit and retain highly qualified educators.

• Internal surveys show staff satisfaction trending upward and reaching the highest levels we’ve seen in recent years.

• Updates on transportation, facilities, and maintenance to ensure safe, functional learning environments.

• Continued work to strengthen school–community partnerships and communication, supporting student well-being and family engagement.

We also heard from the District Accountability Committee, who updated us on school improvement planning, parent engagement, and the alignment between district priorities and school-level goals. DAC is an invaluable partner, and we are grateful for their ongoing work.

Finally, the Board reviewed and approved the FY26 Mill Levy Certification. This step ensures the district can continue to responsibly fund instruction, operations, and essential student programming.

We wrapped up with a brief discussion of potential future agenda items and a closing debrief.

As we enter this holiday season, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our students, families, staff, and community members. Your support, resilience, and partnership are what make Garfield Re-2 such a special place to learn and grow. We hope this season brings rest, joy, and time with the people who matter most. Thank you for all you do—and warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.