Mike DiGregorio with insights on new school board topics

The meeting discussed the recent school closure decision, highlighting the pressure from SAU 13. The new five-year tuition contract with Bartlett saves them $400,000 annually, while Jackson's proposal includes a 10-year contract with Freiburg Academy, potentially impacting Conway's budget. The proposed teacher contract increases costs by $3.88 million over three years, with a cumulative total of $7.36 million. The budget for 2023-2024 is $42.55 million, up from $41 million last year due to a 12.5% increase in health insurance. The discussion also covered the importance of curriculum coordination and the potential impact of school choice and open enrollment on local schools. Speaker 2 advocates for additional staff at Pine Tree to address student issues, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. They discuss security enhancements, including bulletproof doors and additional cameras, despite concerns about their effectiveness. The conversation shifts to the potential redevelopment of the John Fuller property, with Speaker 2 expressing a desire to find a suitable tenant to avoid selling the land. They also mention plans to survey employees for daycare needs, aiming for self-sustaining facilities without tax burdens. Mark Guerringue supports these initiatives, highlighting the value of the John Fuller property and the need for community support.