A significant portion of the meeting focused on concerns raised by long-time resident Carol Isnusi regarding transportation and drop-off procedures amidst ongoing construction at Moss School. Isnusi questioned the logistics of the new drop-off plan, particularly how children would safely enter and exit the school given the construction activity. She said, “I see for years now I’ve seen parking issues with people who are trying to come and meet their teachers or drop their children off and pick them up,” expressing doubt about the effectiveness of the new drop-off plan.

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Caputo responded by outlining the newly implemented valet system on Simpson Avenue, where staff would assist children from cars into the school. Despite Dr. Caputo’s assurance that safety measures were consulted with traffic and construction professionals, Isnusi remained skeptical about potential traffic congestion and safety concerns. She advocated for a bus system to alleviate congestion, arguing that it would streamline the process and improve safety.

Dr. Caputo explained that while buses can transport more children, the same number of students would be attending the half-day program, which would not reduce the number of cars. He emphasized, “there will be changes in traffic patterns this year specifically with the construction,” and encouraged Isnusi to communicate directly with the new principal of Moss School for further clarification. Despite the board’s reassurances, Isnusi maintained her stance that the proposed changes might lead to dangerous conditions.

The tension between the school administration’s confidence in the new drop-off procedures and Isnusi’s concerns about safety and traffic management highlighted the community’s apprehension about changes impacting day-to-day operations at the schools during the construction period.

Following this exchange, the meeting addressed several educational strategies and presentations. One notable presentation came from Miss Dy, who reported on the spring access testing results for multilingual learners. She highlighted that the district met its annual target with 58.3% of multilingual learners achieving expected growth, far surpassing the goal of 27.4%. The discussion also covered the terminology shift from “English language learner” to “multilingual learner,” reflecting a more asset-based approach.

Dy elaborated on the support systems in place for multilingual learners, including double blocks of ESL support and co-teaching models. There was a focus on the use of “pocket talk translators” to improve communication between staff and multilingual families. Concerns were raised about students struggling to meet the exit criteria for the program, particularly those receiving both ESL and special education services. Dy acknowledged these challenges and mentioned ongoing discussions within the district about possibly exempting certain students from parts of the assessment based on their needs.

Another topic was the educational strategies for supporting students facing challenges in language proficiency and academic achievement. The administration shared data indicating that over 50% of students who exited ESL programs are enrolled in advanced and AP classes. There was also a discussion on the potential need for a summer program to maintain learning momentum for students, with the administration noting that federal funding had been utilized for such services in the past two summers.

The meeting also featured a comprehensive presentation on the district’s focus areas and goals for the upcoming school year. Dr. Caputo introduced the theme of “better every day,” encompassing improvements in student experiences, staff development, and infrastructure projects. The goals focused on implementing a rigorous curriculum, creating a positive learning environment, and dedicating resources to analyze indicators of success, particularly in early ELA, upper elementary and middle school math, and entry-level AP courses.

The board discussed the importance of having clear, measurable goals and the significance of stakeholder feedback in shaping these objectives. There was also a conversation about improving participation in the climate survey and balancing the focus areas to ensure all student needs are addressed.

The meeting included a report from the construction committee, emphasizing the positive reception from the community during a recent farmers market event where construction updates were discussed. The finance and personnel sections of the meeting proceeded with routine approvals and discussions about substitute teacher training.