At the October 1, 2024, School Committee Meeting, there was a discussion of the 2024 District Survey, focusing on suggestions for improvement in the upcoming year. The Committee also reviewed the district’s capital improvement request for the next five years, received an update from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and discussed the Superintendent’s Goals for the year.
Superintendent Comments
Administration’s move into Emery Grover building is underway.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
2024 District Survey Results
Director of Strategic Planning and Community Engagement, Diane Simmons, together with principals of Eliot Elementary School, Pollard Middle School and Needham High School as well as the Director of World Languages reviewed the results of the 2024 District Survey:
Analysis of results from 2024 District Survey can be found in the packet.
Family Survey Open-Response Analysis
Theme with the most comments: High Quality Teachers, Administration, and Staff
Suggestions for Improvements
Exploring District Survey Results
Eliot Elementary School: Establishing Positive Classroom Environments
Area of growth based on data: self-management skills; ability of students to identify their feelings
Discussion of tools to address identified areas of growth
Pollard Middle School: Data Driven Decisions
Areas of growth based on data: sense of belonging, cultural awareness
Discrepancy in results as between students and staff
Discussion of tools to address identified areas of growth
Needham High School: Data Driven Decisions
Areas of growth based on data: sense of belonging
Discussion of tools implemented to increase sense of belonging
World Languages
Majority of students grades 6-12 responded favorably on two Portrait of Needham Graduate (“PONG”) Competencies: Responsible and Resilient Individual and Empowered Learner
Discussion of tools to further grow these skills
Robust discussion of results among the SC and with presenters including, but not limited to:
Suggestion to incorporate results, action items into School Improvement Plans
Discussion about discrepancies in data as between elementary and middle/high schools in areas of sense of belonging and excitement/engagement, how results align with national data and opportunity to intervene with skills in elementary years.
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (“SEPAC”) Update
Lindsey Bigda and Rebecca Carrol, SEPAC Co-Chairs, led discussion about 2023-2024 SEPAC successes and goals for 2024-2025:
2023-24 Recap
Successful collaboration with District Administration and Staff
Successes in building up the SEPAC parent/caregiver community
Goals for 2024-25
Expand awareness and understanding of neurodiversity in our schools and community
Increase family participation in SEPAC by expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement
Provide support and resources for families to address continuing challenges
Help is Needed in Disability Awareness and Education
Disability and Awareness Curriculum
School Improvement Plans
Discussion among SC and presenters about disability awareness education in the schools and in the community.
- FY 2026-2030 Draft Capital Improvement Plan Requests
Anne Gulati, Asst. Superintendent for Finance and Operations, led a discussion about the draft Capital Improvement Plan Requests for 2026-2030:
Requests can be found in the packet.
School Facility Requests
Continuation of Theatrical Lighting and Sound
Renovations at Pollard and High Rock Schools
School Equipment Requests
Copiers
School Technology
Vehicles—EV bus (pilot)
Furniture
NHS Choral Risers and Acoustic Shells
Town Equipment Requests
Town Technology
Town Copiers
Discussion among the SC and with presenter concerning budget requests.
School Committee will be asked to vote on the Capital Improvement Plan requests at the October 15, 2024 meeting
Superintendent’s Goals
Dr. Gutekanst reviewed his goals for 2024-25:
Professional Practice: Goal 1
Provide leadership growth for district administrators, focused on holding difficult conversations and facilitating the use of data to inform instruction, policy development and plans for student, staff and school needs
District Improvement: Goal 2
Facilitate and coordinate successful planning with the MSBA and PPBC for the anticipated Pollard feasibility study
Guide the development of a re-envisioned and restructured School/Town IT program
District Improvement: Goal 3
Support the successful implementation of Social & Emotional / Mental Health Framework
Ensure efforts to increase the diversity of staff are successful
The next School Committee Meeting will be October 15, 2024 at 6:30pm.