Residents urge board to retain middle-school administrator and code-of-conduct officer

Three residents told the board they oppose eliminating a middle-school administrator or the district's code-of-conduct officer and urged the trustees to preserve the position.

Sal Carlino said he was speaking with "a deep sense of disappointment and concern regarding the elimination of the code of conduct officer," praising the employee's long service and advocacy on behalf of students. Jake Sticke read a letter written by a dedicated educator and said the position "needs to stay because it serves kids' best interests." Nancy Carlino, a parent and substitute teacher, asked the board to visit the schools and "be mutually and respectfully transparent" about intentions and to "put the needs of the students first."

Why it matters: Commenters linked the proposed cut to a rise in social-emotional needs and long absences among students and warned that losing a person with existing relationships and institutional knowledge could worsen outcomes for vulnerable students. Board procedures limited back-and-forth during public comment; administrators and board members said district personnel would follow up with commenters after the meeting.

What's next: The board recorded the comments and will proceed with items on the agenda; members indicated administration would follow up with residents and the board will continue deliberations in future meetings and in budget-related planning.