District staff presented a first-quarter update on the RISE 2030 strategic plan that covered parent and community partnerships, high-quality instruction, high-quality professionals, and safe and supportive learning environments.

On community partnerships the division reported community events and outreach: two targeted social-issue events that together reached 310 students, a Henry County Public Schools booth at a Latino festival that drew about 125 visitors, ongoing coat and prom-attire drives, and a compiled resource list for families. The staff member reported distributing 2,500 books last school year through the monthly book-nook literacy initiative and said the division is tracking to meet or exceed that number this year.

On instruction, the division said it continues to work with Emerald Education and a math steering committee made up of teacher leaders and administrators. Principals' meetings have become daylong problem-solving sessions that focus on data and school needs; graduation letters were sent in September and some students are participating in credit recovery.

On people and recruitment, the district reported mentor training over the summer and listening sessions that produced anecdotal data on working conditions to inform retention strategies. On safety, the division highlighted multiple trainings at the start of the school year, a large-scale reunification drill at Laurel Park Middle School that district staff called a success, and ongoing monthly safe-and-orderly drills in each school.

Board members recognized the alignment of the work with the RISE 2030 goals and asked staff to continue providing updates. Staff noted that Emerald Education has requested a future meeting with the board to report on the math work; board members were asked to check calendars for a late January or early February session.

Ending: The board accepted the update and staff will return with further details and scheduling for Emerald Education and related math-steering activities.