Fremont Board adopts strategic plan, approves $5.02 million in April disbursements and School of Choice application

The Fremont Board of Education on May 13 unanimously approved a new strategic plan and a series of routine financial and personnel items, including $5,020,932.35 in April disbursements and the district’s School of Choice application.

President Jennifer Scott called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and the board approved the agenda and consent items on unanimous 5–0 votes. The consent agenda included minutes from the April 8 regular meeting, the April disbursement report for $5,020,932.35 and several personnel actions: hiring Lisa Murphy as a third-grade teacher at Daisy Brook School, Angela Vis as an elementary music teacher, Connor Hardy at Quest High School, and appointing Bill Strong as the district’s new Director of Nutrition Services.

Superintendent Brad Reyburn told the board the district continues filling vacancies and that Bill Strong, a Fremont resident, will replace John Rosenberg and begin June 10. Director of Finance Julie Reams reported the district’s April fund balance increased to $4,844,715, or 15.79% of expenditures, and attributed revenue gains to investment earnings and several grant and state funding changes, including MPSERS adjustments, additional transportation funding, an increase to the Educator Compensation grant, an added Student Loan Reimbursement grant and a MiKids Back on Track summer-school grant; she said final figures will appear in a budget amendment in June.

Consultant Greg Janicki joined the meeting by Teams to present a summary of the strategic-planning retreat. Janicki reviewed the district’s new vision, mission and belief statements and the five strategic goal areas: Academics and Programs; Learning Environment and Culture; Communication and Community Engagement; Personnel and Leadership; and Operations and Finance. The board approved the vision, mission, belief and goal statements on a 5–0 vote on a motion by Steve Paulsen, seconded by Kim Rasch.

Board members praised the planning process and asked administrators to provide regular updates on implementation. Communications contractor Chloe McCarthy said she will post the approved plan publicly and continue district outreach and social-media updates.

In other action the board approved the NCRESA budget (motion by Carrie Crosley, seconded by Jared Hanna) and the School of Choice application (motion by Jared Hanna, seconded by Steve Paulsen); both motions passed 5–0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

What the board approved at a glance: the strategic plan (vision/mission/beliefs/goals), the NCRESA budget, the School of Choice application, April disbursements totaling $5,020,932.35, and personnel appointments including Bill Strong as Director of Nutrition Services.

The board will publish implementation updates and community materials as the administration begins work on priority objectives under each strategic goal area.