Region 9 Board of Education Meeting - 5/19/2026

The Region 9 Board of Education held a meeting on May 19, 2026, focusing on several key administrative and policy issues. Significant procurement-related discussions included the approval of year-end financial transfers, with a recommendation to allocate nearly $2 million towards capital improvements such as interactive whiteboards, HVAC inspections, and bathroom projects, as well as funding health benefits reserves. The board also reviewed and approved the final expenditures for the NEST project, including purchases of umbrellas, a Samsung monitor for the home team room, retractable awnings, and rolling whiteboards, with remaining funds applied to bond payments. Additionally, the board authorized the use of a state DRIP grant of approximately $51,787 to repair a masonry retaining wall at the school entrance, with a small balance funded from operating funds. Policy discussions centered on the use of technological devices by students, particularly a proposed bell-to-bell cell phone ban at the high school, with extensive debate on implementation logistics, enforcement, and balancing student engagement and mental health. The board planned further policy committee discussions and pilot implementations to refine the approach. Motions related to financial transfers, project completions, and grant appropriations were unanimously approved.