The meeting started with an introduction of key new hires, including the Director of Human Resources, Jessica Murdoch, who joins from Pittsburg State University. This transition was noted as bittersweet, acknowledging the valuable contributions of the previous director. The hiring of Murdoch is part of a broader effort to streamline and enhance the district’s operations, particularly in human resources and communication.

Another topic was the presentation of the new Director of Student Services, known as Ran. Ran outlined her entry plan, which includes understanding the district’s landscape, identifying strengths and areas for growth, and engaging with both staff and families. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts and effective communication within the department, especially concerning special education and the 504 process. Her regular meetings with team chairs and the focus on improving Individualized Education Program (IEP) services underscore her commitment to enhancing student support.

The committee also discussed professional development initiatives, highlighting the successful implementation of the summer Academy. With 110 educators participating, the sessions covered a range of topics, including a new literacy curriculum, language learner support, and a book study titled “The Joyful Teacher.” The training aimed to align with strategic objectives and cater to various roles and grade levels.

Additionally, the new literacy curriculum prompted the establishment of family information sessions. Curriculum Director Laura Padington, along with the superintendent, planned these sessions to provide families with insights into the new curriculum and how to support their children’s learning.

The committee also touched on updates to the Innovation Pathways program, which recently launched pathways in advanced manufacturing and engineering, and business and finance. With 36 students enrolled, the program’s welcome reception was deemed successful, featuring presentations from stakeholders and plans for future events.

A notable part of the meeting was the discussion on equity initiatives, particularly regarding students with IEPs. A new member emphasized the centrality of equity work, stating, “I always find that to be at the central piece of the work that this job entails.” This focus on inclusivity within the educational environment is important for ensuring that all students receive the support they need.

The agenda also included a review of the school committee calendar, addressing a scheduling conflict with April vacation. A motion to move the meeting from April 23rd to April 30th was passed without opposition.

Salary ranges for non-represented staff and administrators, which had not been updated since March 2022, were another topic of discussion. A memo from an executive session on August 29th outlined the necessary adjustments to align with previously expressed contractual increases. The committee replicated these actions in an open session for public transparency, with the motion passing without further discussion.

The school committee manual was reviewed, with members identifying formatting issues and broken links. Despite these challenges, the manual was approved with the understanding that these issues would be addressed before final publication. The revisions aimed to enhance the manual’s user-friendliness and ensure that all resources are accessible to members.

Finally, the committee discussed the presentation of school committee goals, proposing to move this to a future agenda to allow subcommittees additional time to formulate their goals. The committee plans to discuss the status of goals by September 25, with hopes that subcommittees will be ready to share their goals by that date.

As the meeting concluded, items for the next agenda were highlighted, focusing on ensuring the accessibility of the school committee planning calendar to all members. The next meeting was confirmed for September 25, where school committee goals and the superintendent’s goals will be reviewed. Additionally, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) joint conference was noted, with several members planning to attend.