The Timberlane Regional School District Board convened on January 3, 2025, to discuss various updates and significant topics affecting the district. The meeting began with a brief overview of recent events, including an introductory night for incoming freshmen at the high school and successful fundraising efforts for Milly's Meals, which raised over $900 to support families during the holidays.

Atkinson Academy celebrated its annual holiday sing-along, while Danville and Sandown schools prepared for their upcoming winter concerts. The Sandown Ski Club also commenced, with 29 students participating in winter activities. The middle school highlighted a series of enriching experiences for eighth graders, including a visit to the North Shore Music Theater and a Victorian tea event.

The board then transitioned to current business, addressing a procedural error regarding a previous motion to fund full-day kindergarten for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Board member Kim McCormick acknowledged the misunderstanding and moved to rescind the earlier motion, which was seconded and passed unanimously. This led to a broader discussion about the potential for a warrant article to propose tuition-free full-day kindergarten.

Several board members expressed their support for the initiative, citing the educational benefits of full-day kindergarten and the financial implications for families. They discussed the importance of providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their family's financial situation. The board noted that many families could not afford the current tuition for full-day kindergarten, which created disparities in educational readiness.

The conversation included insights on the financial aspects of implementing full-day kindergarten, with board members highlighting the potential long-term savings in special education costs and the positive impact on student performance. The board agreed to draft a warrant article for the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to ensure that all children in the district have access to full-day kindergarten.

As the meeting concluded, the board emphasized the importance of engaging with the community to communicate the benefits of the proposed changes and to clarify any concerns regarding the financial implications for taxpayers. The next steps involve finalizing the language of the warrant article and ensuring compliance with legal requirements before the submission deadline on January 14, 2025.