Cass63 Logo

Board Briefs - January 21, 2025

  • The Board Briefs are highlights from the most recent Board of Education meetings. The purpose of the Board Briefs is to provide a timely summary to keep our staff, parents and public informed of the key items that were discussed or acted upon. More detailed information is available under the Board Schedules, Agendas and Minutes section of the District’s website. Official minutes are not posted until approval at the following meeting.

    Moving Forward with Phase II Facility Plans
    Superintendent Mark Cross summarized the recent work of the Facilities Committee and plans for Phase II, which is expected to be completed at both schools in the summer of 2025. The preliminary grand total estimate totals approximately $1.9 million, but the final cost will be determined after final project design and bidding. Several items included in the project include completion of ceiling replacement and LED lighting installation at Cass, renovation of the Cass gymnasium, renovation of Concord restrooms, and updates to music rooms in both schools.

    Additionally, a fundraising effort is currently under way to replace the Concord playground. Most of the Phase II projects are expected to be financed through the federal energy tax credit the district is planning to receive in 2025, resulting from the geothermal project completed in 2024.

    Student Learning and Academic Growth
    Principal Christine Marcinkewicz and Assistant Principal Katie Doyle shared some information on our student growth from the district’s Measure of Academic Progress assessment data. The MAP assessment is nationally normed and provides real time data for the teachers and administrators to monitor the academic growth and progress of our students. The district leadership will discuss methods to provide clear information for parents to interpret this data both for their own children, as well as school and district wide.

    Strategic Plan Progress Review
    The Board conducted a brief six month review of the district’s Strategic Plan. The plan includes three pillars and 21 indicators of success to provide the leadership team and Board with an overview of progress and growth. Mr. Cross shared that the mid-year review is typically incremental, and the larger progress is noted at the end of each school year. He emphasized the two major areas of focus continue to be facility planning and the district’s work to develop and build systems and support in the areas of student services and multi-tiered systems of support.

    2025-26 School Year Calendar
    The Board approved the 2025-26 District Calendar. Parent-Student Orientation will take place on Tuesday, August 19 and the first day for K-8 students will be Thursday, August 21. Orientation Day will be held later in the day and with a slightly different format to better accommodate our families, and more details will be shared later in the spring.

    In Key Action Items, the Board of Education… 

    • Approved the 2025-26 school year calendar.
    • Approved recommended Board policy updates.
    • Approved the employment of Bridget Gilmartin as the social worker at Cass Junior High School for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
  • Board Briefs - December 17, 2024

  • Board Briefs - November 19, 2024

  • Board Briefs - October 15, 2024

  • Board Briefs - August 13, 2024

  • Board Briefs - July 9, 2024

  • Board Briefs - June 11, 2024

  • Board Briefs - May 14, 2024

  • Board Briefs - April 16, 2024

  • Board Briefs - March 19, 2024

  • Board Briefs - February 20, 2024

  • Board Briefs - January 23, 2024

  • Board Briefs - December 19, 2023

  • Board Briefs - November 14, 2023

  • Board Briefs - October 17, 2023

  • Board Briefs - September 27, 2023