January 13, 2026 - Board Brief

Last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting marked our first meeting of the New Year and kicked off with several important and informative presentations.

Andy Clayman, HHS Principal; Dan Waldeck, FMS Principal; Tara Ware, HHS Assistant Principal; and Lauren Iorio, FMS Assistant Principal presented an update on the implementation of the District’s Distraction-Free Schools Policy 📵. The presentation included a review of current practices at the middle and high school levels, observed impacts on student focus and behavior, and operational challenges related to device management and enforcement. Administrators also outlined planned student and staff surveys to inform future program evaluation.

Next, the Capital Bond Design & Construction Team — Matthew Milnamow, Vice President and Architect, LAN Associates; Rena Mande, Associate Architect, PBDW Architects; and Kevin Sawyer, Vice President and Project Executive, Triton Construction — who provided a detailed progress report on District facilities. Highlights included the restoration of the Farragut Middle School wing, with a phased student move-in starting later this month, as well as updates on timelines and next steps for multiple projects funded through the 2025 Bond Referendum. 🏗️

In his Superintendent Report, Dr. McKersie celebrated the amazing ways our students are learning and growing across the district! 🚀 Hillside STEAM students explored Morse code and created custom name keychains, FMS fifth graders are building teamwork and skills on the pickleball court, and HHS Economics Club members competed in their first DECA event, gaining real-world business experience. 🌟

Business Official Maureen Caraballo provided an update on two recent, smaller property incidents. A tree from a neighboring property fell into the garage and bathroom facilities at Reynolds Field, and an underground pipe issue, similar to a prior incident at Hillside, was reported and submitted to insurance for potential coverage. 🚧 While underground pipe failures are largely due to aging infrastructure and are difficult to predict, the District is closely monitoring damage to the asphalt near the Farragut Complex playground. Additional repairs are anticipated this summer, and updates will continue as insurance reviews and repair plans move forward. 🛠️

Melissa Szymanski, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction highlighted student-led fundraising by the HS Spanish Club and Honor Society that supported the Neighbors Link Holiday Market and provided gifts to over 1,000 children. She reported ongoing efforts to staff 7th grade supplemental math for 37 identified students and updates on January initiatives, including intervention, professional learning, and MTSS pilots, with AP/Algebra access criteria to be finalized on January 30. A qualified candidate for Math Department Chair has been identified, planning is underway for 2026–27 middle school course offerings, and her written report detailed the District Technology Committee’s work on draft three-year Technology Plan goals focused on instructional technology, responsible AI use, and healthy device habits 💻✨.

Jeanne Farruggio, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services provided updates on PPS initiatives. She reported that the district is reviewing its special education continuum to identify and address service gaps and is providing enhanced IEP transition training for middle and high school staff 📚. She highlighted the scale of upcoming special education work, including over 300 IEP-related meetings 📅, such as annual reviews, initial IEPs, and senior exit meetings, emphasizing the district’s efforts to support families and ensure timely completion of these critical processes.

📅 The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hillside Multi-Purpose Room. Maureen Caraballo, Business Official, will present the Initial 2026–2027 Budget, kicking off an important conversation about the district’s plans for the year ahead. 💰

🎥 Missed the meeting? Watch the full recording, including all presentations and discussions HERE.