The Mantua Township Board of Education held a brief regular meeting on Dec. 13 that began with approval of minutes from a session last month.
The board’s finance committee – consisting of board Vice President Michael Magilton and board members Stephanie DiAntonio and Michele Francesconi – was first to report.
It recommended motions to approve federally funded salaries for the 2021-’22 school year as well as a motion to accept School Security Grant Funds of $60,524, with appropriate state and federal regulations.
The administration committee – which includes Magilton and board members Taylor Bruner and Daniel Fellona – reminded those in attendance of important upcoming dates: Early dismissal for students in the district on Thursday, Dec. 23, and a winter recess that will close schools from Dec. 24 through Dec. 31.
The assistance of the pupil progress and welfare committee – with Francesconi and board members Emily Pedersen and Karen Vick – led to approval of the Preschool Expansion Aid Program Plan submission for the 2022-’23 school year.
The district’s preschool program is part of that funding, so Mantua families can enroll their child in the public preschool program without cost. The funding requires incoming students to be 3 or 4 years old by Oct. 1 of the enrollment year.
The policy committee of DiAntonio, Magilton and board member Emilie Stevens recommended approval of the first reading on multiple policies, including a revised safety plan for health-care settings in school buildings, an emergency virtual- or remote-instruction program and implementation of school employee vaccination requirements.
All of these policies will ensure safety and preparedness in a post-pandemic learning environment. The start of a closed private session wrapped the public meeting, where old business, new business and a public comment were to be discussed.
The next board of education meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m., in the district’s administration building. It will be the first school day after the winter break for all schools in the district.
