A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the superintendent search process. Retired superintendent Paul Gagliaduchi, now an executive search consultant, provided valuable advice on how to conduct a successful search. He emphasized the critical role of confidentiality. Gagliaduchi underscored the importance of a careful selection process, advising the committee to avoid rushing decisions and to ensure they are comfortable with their final choice. He recommended that preliminary interviews be conducted by search consultants to filter candidates before presenting them to the committee.

Gagliaduchi also recommended incorporating unconventional questions in interviews to gain deeper insights into the candidates’ personalities. He suggested questions that may catch candidates off guard, like asking about their last vacation, to observe how they handle unexpected inquiries. This approach aims to reveal aspects of the candidates not visible through standard technical questions.

The discussion also covered the composition of the search committee, which includes school committee members, administrators, teachers, and community stakeholders. A proposal was made to expand the committee to 15 members by adding two community representatives. The committee emphasized the importance of diverse representation in the search process, agreeing to allow flexibility in filling the slots based on interest.

In addition to the superintendent search, the committee reviewed the East Middle Public School status report and the draft of the 2526 ELPS smart goals, which focus on fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment. The committee highlighted improvements in student attendance and engagement, noting that a sense of belonging correlates with academic achievement. The report showed that 85.8% of students felt they could be themselves at school, and 91.5% felt welcomed.

There was concern regarding chronic absenteeism, particularly among low-income students and those with disabilities. The administration is working to improve attendance through a dedicated graduation coach and support systems. The committee also examined advanced coursework completion rates, noting an increase in participation among students with disabilities, who exceeded targets by 9.7 percentile points.

The meeting included a discussion on student performance assessments. Approximately 28% of students required additional support, with a notable gap in learning, especially at the high school level. The committee expressed concerns over the use of different assessment tools and their ability to accurately gauge student mastery. There was a debate regarding the differences between ISL reading assessments and the I-Ready tool, with members emphasizing the need for personalized learning approaches.

The committee also addressed the impact of technology on student performance, particularly the use of AI tools like Photo Math and ChatGPT. While these tools help students complete assignments, they may hinder the development of foundational skills needed for assessments. Members debated the need for new policies on technology use in classrooms, with suggestions to revert to handwritten essays to mitigate AI misuse.

Budgetary discussions revealed increases in contracted services and special education out-of-district tuitions. The district’s operating budget is $36,895,004, with expenditures and encumbrances indicating a healthy financial status. The committee discussed the importance of grants, noting that without them, the operating budget would require an additional $3.4 million. There was an increase in transportation reimbursement due to supplemental funding from Governor Healey, raising expectations for revenue from the circuit breaker.

The meeting also covered resolutions for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) delegate meeting. The committee voted unanimously on several resolutions, including the removal of BMI screening requirements and sanctuary laws for transgender students. They also supported increasing the maximum balance allowed in the special education reserve fund and mandating personal financial literacy education in schools.