01:15:55A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the new curriculum pilot for K-6 students, which includes a split curriculum featuring “My View” for grades K-5 and “My Perspectives” for grade 6. Teachers will pilot these programs, with specific training and ongoing meetings to ensure the curriculum’s effectiveness. The pilot, involving classroom and special education teachers, is set to start before April vacation. The initiative aims to equip educators with resources to meet state standards and enhance student engagement.

01:35:54The committee stressed the importance of feedback from educators leaving the district to understand and address retention issues. A proposal for exit surveys was discussed, emphasizing the need for actionable data to guide improvements. The committee acknowledged that Middleborough’s teacher retention rates are better than state and national averages. However, they expressed interest in exploring further insights into why some educators choose to leave. The potential for a broader employee satisfaction survey was suggested.

01:00:54The meeting also covered updates on professional development initiatives, such as the staff mentoring and induction program funded by Title II. This program provides new educators with comprehensive orientation and support, covering district safety procedures, special education overviews, and evaluation systems. Feedback from previous years has been incorporated, leading to an expanded orientation schedule.

03:52In addition to curriculum and retention, the committee highlighted student achievements, particularly from the John T. Nichols Middle School’s STEM fair. Eighth grader Sebastian Glasby presented a project advocating for later school start times, citing survey data on the benefits of extended sleep for teenagers. Other notable projects included a quantum physics study by sixth graders Alec Grant and Sebastian, and Sam Bradbury’s engineering design prototype “Cereal to Go.”

22:00The financial health of Middleborough was also discussed, with relief expressed that the district is not facing budget cuts or layoffs, unlike neighboring towns. The balanced budget and effective town-school collaboration were credited as key factors in maintaining financial stability. The community’s support for the school budget was acknowledged as crucial, regardless of individual family involvement in the schools.

39:12The committee addressed professional development opportunities, emphasizing the need for tailored offerings beyond mandatory training. A district data team, funded through Title One, was introduced to standardize data analysis practices across the district. This initiative aims to create a “cycle of inquiry” that focuses on improving student outcomes through data-driven insights. The importance of destigmatizing data usage was highlighted, with plans for district-wide discussions to foster a collaborative atmosphere around data topics.

02:03:00The meeting also touched on the upcoming annual Town election on April 5th, encouraging voter participation. Clarifications on communication guidelines and travel policies for school trips were discussed, with the aim of streamlining processes and ensuring timely approvals.