At the May 13 School Committee meeting, discussion focused on Newman School Improvement Plan and the High School Improvement plan, the 2025-2026 handbooks for all schools, and the Superintendent Evaluation Process.
Public Comment
- Some members of the public commented on the Needham Literacy Coalition and the ongoing literacy pilot
School Committee Comments
- Michael O’Brien acknowledged the audio issues at the start of the meeting
- The next SC meeting on May 20 will provide an update on the literacy curriculum pilot program.
- He also acknowledged Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day and thanked Town Meeting for their approval of the school budget request.
- Alisa Skatrud shared details about the Real Coalition and the Parents/Students Equity audit.
Superintendent Comments
- Dr. Gutekanst welcomed the new principal for Sunita Williams Elementary School, Caren Firger.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Newman School Improvement Plan
Principal Jessica Peterson, along with advisory council members, presented the school improvement plan and MCAS data points, which show many positive results. School highlights include:
- vertical and team alignment
- tier 1 SEL (social emotional learning)
- curriculum, growth in MCAS scores
- Future developments with literacy and School Home Connections
- improvements seen on literacy screening throughout the year
- Newman staff are involved in the literacy pilot and dyslexia work
- growth in sense of belonging on panorama survey, Newman song
- work on improving school-home connection, helping parents understand the work & rigor that students are experiencing in school, learning celebrations, communication survey
School Committee asked questions and engaged in discussion about the progress at Newman.
Needham High School Improvement Plan
Principal Sicotte and school council student representatives presented the school’s goals for the 5 year improvement plan in relationship with the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. Students highlighted specific class lessons and projects that develop the skills of the POG:
They presented detailed slides with action steps, status and supporting evidence which can be found in the packet.
They also discussed the new attendance policy pilot which has resulted in fewer students losing credits and fewer credits lost (students have the opportunity to earn credits back during the school year).
School committee engaged in discussion with the students and asked many questions.
Updates to Elementary, Middle, and High School handbooks
Dr. Gutekanst invited Principal Sicotte, Principal Bibbo and Principal Downey to answer questions about attendance policies, communication and cellphone use. The district has been working on updating all the school handbooks and streamlining messaging between schools. Handbooks and details about changes can be found in the packet.
- Data is showing a higher percentage of students attending school on a daily basis and less chronic absenteeism.
- Some school committee members presented questions around excused absences and families having more flexibility with unexcused vs. excused absences.
- School committee member asked for clarity around the protocols for when students can return to academic, extracurricular and sports activities after a concussion.
- All schools continue to develop appropriate expectations around the use of phones and external devices at school.
Some key changes across the district handbooks include the following:
Superintendent Evaluation process
- It is the immediate past SC Chair’s responsibility to oversee the Superintendent’s evaluation. Liz Lee will send out two surveys to School Committee members by May 21 and hopes to receive them by June 10. One survey follows the DESE rubric and one reflects the superintendent’s goals that were voted on at the beginning of the year.
- Dr. Gutekanst will complete his own self assessment by the end of next week.
- School committee will discuss the results at their June 17th meeting
School Committee comments
- Dr. Gutekanst requests a group photo after meeting
- Alisa Skatrud mentioned the upcoming event, Courageous Conversations around Race and the Senior Directed show occurring this weekend
- Michael Greis mentioned the recent Great Hall concert that included professional musicians as well as many NHS student musicians.
The next School Committee Meeting will be May 20, 2025