The GFW School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, April 21. A summary of the meeting is below.
Watch the meeting on YouTube:
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith provided updates on the construction of the new PreK-12 facility with work taking place recently and what is coming up. Work is continuing on windows, casework, tiles, and roofing as well as drywall and taping in parts of the building. Roof work will be wrapped up in coming months with the commons area being wrapped up and concrete slabs being poured at commons area and working on the gym slab. The project is still expected to be completed in alignment with the updated schedule and phased opening for the 2025-26 school year.
There are six weeks left in the school year with students planning for fun activities and end of the year celebrations. There are also plans for a time capsule going into the new facility and there will be community input and involvement on what will be included in the capsule.
School Reports
Principal Thompson shared updates on work taking place for summer school this year. MCA testing is taking place with students working hard and other grades supporting students who are testing with encouragement and locker decorations. The tractor parade was a big success and students really enjoyed watching the high school students drive by.
Kindergarten Kick Off was also a success with 34 new families registering for the 2025-26 school year. Students got to spend time in classrooms, walking through the lunch line, and hearing updates from staff.
TCA held the annual spaghetti dinner and are holding auditions for the summer production of Anastasia with performances beginning July 31. TCA Arts Camp will see students putting on a production of Frozen Kids this year with their performance at the end of the session.
She also shared an update from Principal Jacobson with a lot of events happening at the middle school and high school. The band and choir trip to Florida over spring break was great with students getting recognized for being kind, well behaved, and respectful to everyone they encountered on the trip. Students also participated in the art competition for the first time and saw some wonderful achievements including one student advancing to state.
Testing is also taking place at the middle school and high school and will be wrapping up before the end of the month. Seniors are preparing for graduation and other end of year events with teachers and staff supporting students to get everything taken care of for graduation.
Representatives from the student council shared some updates from spring activities and athletics with tournaments and meets coming up. The spring band concert will be on May 8 and the variety show will be on May 16-17. FFA members have been doing some incredible things with lots of great achievements including individuals and teams qualifying for state and two state star finalists.
NHS is hosting a blood drive on May 7 and the Thunderbird green house will be holding their annual sale on May 8-9. Grand March and Prom are also coming up this weekend with after prom taking place at the high school after the dance. Students are also looking ahead to some fun end of year celebrations.
School Board Reports
Board members shared brief updates from committees.
Consent Agenda, Resolutions and Action Items
The board approved the consent agenda.
The board approved a contract with OpenEd that will create a partnership with families in the area choosing a homeschool option with support from GFW Public Schools with a proposed one year contract with continuing negotiations.
The board reviewed 2025-26 budget assumptions and budget reduction/adjustments.
The board will take action on the 2025-26 budget in their regular May meeting.
The board approved a resolution to accept donations.
The board approved changing the work session on May 5 to a special meeting.