[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6275367,"mediaKeyId","2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349","parentId",2774182,"title","Milton Public Schools presents winter diagnostic results; I Ready and DIBELS show consistent midyear patterns","audioSeconds",2793,"startMs",1759000,"endMs",4552000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349&start=1759&end=4552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349/thumbnail_1759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275367/Massachusetts/Milton-Public-Schools-presents-winter-diagnostic-results-I-Ready-and-DIBELS-show-consistent-midyear-patterns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275367-8cfc3e28e1c1bffb37f7a487ae650a59/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440476&Signature=AcUXIAWamCTXUYmcoaV47qRDfIM3M4AoH8d42045uvGrdigWqVxIHhcT5EnjyEa~0DDWrEPF7hGja8DNYKDu~CsYFHVgNg1hqJftuabjc1XXbIB4swaM9MBtg77U6mR7HmtXuUgE2Vu-DNfMaGjfQHp7xUct8w4QpPPUkHEyMgmjIH90nwH-hshR5mXOq8fsEzH1~C0mTkQDqOvic-wsd~f-CkWu2B8R-b~Fe0yHHdoJV76yOUvIXLpGi7WrL~Yk~2uFzscwuMB3sChweid3y9CpV90Jt4M7212g45LNPtuQ-Dhr5gZ~qoaH4E9YreNO4mfgBwd4beWCZEc4DoQzWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-26T11:07:09.473Z","article","District curriculum leaders presented winter diagnostic results and described how teachers and intervention teams are using I Ready (math) and DIBELS (literacy) to guide instruction across Milton Public Schools.

Kat Durosh, literacy director for kindergarten through eighth grade, and Brian Seelig, district math director, walked the committee through assessment types, how the district administers each diagnostic, limitations of the measures and how results are used to form instructional groupings and interventions. \"Formative assessments are assessment for learning,\" Durosh said. \"Teachers use formative assessments to see what they need to teach next.\"

Seelig described I Ready administration: elementary students take the diagnostic three times a year; middle school students are assessed in fall and spring and only specific groups in the winter. He noted completion time ranges from about 30 minutes for early grades to more than an hour for some middle-school students and said student buy-in can affect data validity at the secondary level. \"One of the biggest challenges we've run into with I Ready at the middle school ... is the amount of time it takes for students to complete the diagnostic and how that infringes on instructional time,\" Seelig said.

The presenters summarized winter findings: districtwide K–5 performance and growth metrics were largely consistent with the prior two years; many students who were placed below grade level in the fall showed growth by winter, and a subset of students multiple grade levels below made notable midyear progress. At the same time, subgroup analysis showed consistent underperformance by students with disabilities, English learners and, especially, Black/African American students; presenters called the latter pattern \"deeply troubling and concerning.\" Durosh said the district is using DIBELS and subgroup growth reports to create targeted intervention groups and to guide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) work.

Both presenters emphasized the measures are one part of a broader assessment picture. Seelig noted I Ready produces a scaled score and domain placements (number and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement and geometry) and growth measures such as typical growth and stretch-growth targets. He said reaching 50% of typical growth by midyear is an indicator of being on pace to make expected yearlong progress. Durosh stressed DIBELS is a short, skill-based screener used K–5 to identify students for progress monitoring and intervention. \"This is just one part of their learner profile,\" she said. \"We do follow-up with other assessments to ensure that that was a true reflection of a student's abilities.\"

Committee members asked about middle- and high-school coverage, curriculum alignment and the district’s plans to address persistent subgroup gaps. Presenters described ongoing MTSS development, targeted interventionists who work with teachers, and curriculum implementation steps for next year. The committee discussed setting clear, districtwide key performance indicators to measure progress over multiple years.

There were no formal votes tied to this presentation. The committee asked that future quarterly diagnostic reports continue and include planned key performance indicators tied to curriculum and intervention work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee - March 19th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Milton Public Schools curriculum leaders briefed the school committee on winter diagnostic results for I Ready (math) and DIBELS (literacy), reporting consistent midyear patterns with prior years and highlighting persistent subgroup gaps.","taxTitle","Milton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71056,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6275362,"Milton School Committee says FY25 faces shortfall; asks Select Board to free up $1 million and trims FY26 budget growth",6380,1657000,8037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349&start=1657&end=8037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349/thumbnail_1657000.jpg","/articles/6275362/Massachusetts/Milton-School-Committee-says-FY25-faces-shortfall-asks-Select-Board-to-free-up-1-million-and-trims-FY26-budget-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275362-1d39d491232ab49731154a5cb471a8c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440476&Signature=FO7e5RvaGb1TkN9OvCK-0Sm94hDHiOciRB81QvxHWKR~TomKCpG2CfclrXYmkYnGfAe1pqlro854dlCxVrOADNjnLQfjDwen6-smPmuS92jdDepZqwguohaSbpyh9L0aAaCSjk~cbgv-ymr0u2np1LUSbmiar2ohdvsxDue4CTtD6aiSS~sxVlupkUg1BMedhO-pvd4i5-EulxIr0C3h4r1PH8k4YqQYD7czzS2640svemZkitWpz~KxJ4bKmlr6qFXU~Vuc3D7ct~v4ORiBlMyP1VYiakOIa2~zVK0w6YG2EeBb~PB3mxRhzcQIlYbOSVLIZonFphs71QBiVkDnOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton School Committee on Wednesday received a detailed finance briefing that confirmed a projected fiscal-year 2025 operating deficit and described steps to contain costs while preparing next year’s (FY26) budget.

Peter (Finance staff) and the district’s finance team reported a midyear FY25 projection that showed a significant deficit after recurring costs outpaced recurring revenues. The committee heard that the district and town had used one-time funds in fiscal 2024 to cover prior deficits and that similar offsets were being considered for FY25. \"A structural deficit means recurring expenses consistently exceed recurring revenues,\" Peter said, noting recurring pressure points such as substitute coverage and utilities.

Since the January quarterly report, district staff implemented a purchase freeze, a hiring freeze, and targeted re-allocations such as assigning a portion of custodial time to the food-service revolving account. The presentation listed potential offsets including a possible state increase to circuit-breaker transportation reimbursement (a proposed supplemental) and use of revolving-account revenue; staff estimated the newly projected FY25 shortfall at roughly $883,326 after the initial mitigations, pending confirmation of state action and utility adjustments.

On FY26, the committee and administration described an updated proposed operating request that reduced the district’s initial \"level-service\" growth from about $6.4 million to about $5.7 million. To preserve classroom operations and avoid significant staff reductions, the district identified smaller adjustments and one-time changes designed to limit harm to students: three positions were removed through enrollment attrition, one bus route would be cut (re-establishing prior capacity/waitlist), a small administrative/clerical reduction, some program redesign (in-house reconfiguration of a third-party program), modest athletic fee increases, and using circuit-breaker reimbursement where eligible.

The committee took several formal actions at the meeting:

- The committee voted to adopt the 2025–26 school-year calendar as edited. The motion specified two holidays to be observed in 2025–26 (Yom Kippur and Good Friday) and noted the district will phase in additional holiday observances in later years. (Mover: School Committee member Anna; second: not specified; outcome: approved.)

- The committee voted to record finance subcommittee meetings going forward, beginning with upcoming hybrid meetings, to improve transparency. (Mover: Chair; second: not specified; outcome: approved.)

- The committee voted to request that the Select Board move a $1,000,000 free-cash allocation (originally proposed for a special-education reserve) into a town-level reserve or another mechanism that would make funds available to the school committee in FY25 to help close the year-end deficit. The committee asked the Select Board to return a specific draw amount at a later date after final FY25 reconciliations. (Mover: Chair; second: not specified; outcome: approved.)

- The committee approved two vendor warrants for payment: Warrant 35 (payable 03/13/2025) for $1,104,202.97 and Warrant 36 (payable 03/20/2025) for $695,530.65. (Outcome: approved.)

Committee members debated specific proposed cuts. Several members objected to a proposed \"large-group substitute coverage\" plan that would have placed multiple classes together under limited supervision, saying it risks instruction time and student supervision. One member called that proposal a \"bridge too far,\" and the committee removed it from lists of potential reductions to prioritize instructional continuity.

Members discussed next steps with the Select Board and town administrator. The town administrator had signaled that in a non-override scenario, any use of the free-cash allocation would affect the town’s planned FY26 free-cash allocations; the committee asked for clarity and for the Select Board to make the funds available now given the urgent FY25 shortfall. Committee leaders said they will finalize a request number for the Select Board and present the committee’s case to town officials in the days following the meeting.

The meeting adjourned after approving committee minutes for Feb. 26 and March 5 and scheduling continued finance meetings to finalize FY25 closeout and FY26 plans.","Milton Public Schools leaders told the School Committee on Wednesday that the district faces a projected FY25 budget shortfall and outlined mitigations; the committee approved motions including a $1 million funding request to the Select Board and procedural steps to boost transparency.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6275372,"Milton School Committee hears expedited interim-superintendent guidance from MASC",1434,200000,1634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349&start=200&end=1634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2774182-f8a87ada5197f767adaf9659b381f349/thumbnail_200000.jpg","/articles/6275372/Massachusetts/Milton-School-Committee-hears-expedited-interim-superintendent-guidance-from-MASC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275372-c153be99b0959e4c8697931f5afc9adf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440476&Signature=h3kpKEP3OUDhwBzna7iSlV8hXmqZgDmbuLFGJnlNWyVRaVMUPKAY-L~2PgOnJojjreujp-GWAD3-EQLyRA7mDmG4Scy3ifmOgjf6bmmBf1ZmxgrwdNrEF8Rmez-0WBvEpvMNrDiWDRbyDoqvsJZZockz9Jz3w0bkKViVPdgfty~z0GwV5D6C~ZGMkcR8BQ5sWHqF~rl7YIrotgR2hLOE97AtZJoLgAGZcfu58j7nN3IrGvCO7QKZVMCmwrgTZRTJGTIVJMF16ig5Fbi0dNrUoTacG3fkAIynIKecdW37vDeanB0vpIjzte4MimqlgGnPFNHVIwTJ~zr0npLMJzBN6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton School Committee on Wednesday received guidance from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees on options for appointing an interim superintendent to lead Milton Public Schools beginning July 1.

MASC Executive Director Glenn Kuchar and Field Director Sean Costello told the committee interim searches are commonly expedited and often filled by retired superintendents who can return to work without forfeiting pension income if districts follow certain state waiver procedures. \"Because it's an interim superintendency, most districts need to act expeditiously,\" said Glenn Kuchar, executive director, Massachusetts Association of School Committees. \"Usually, they are retired superintendents.\"

Kuchar and Costello described a practical timeline: post the vacancy immediately, accept applications through an abbreviated window (Milton's deadline is March 31), screen applications, and interview candidates in public. \"You may be getting some directly to you if you use SchoolSpring,\" Kuchar said, describing how applications will be collected and made available to the committee. He also explained that an interim superintendent holds the full legal authority of the office but typically serves under a shorter contract.

Kuchar outlined advantages and risks of retiree candidates and waiver processes. “Under certain circumstances, retirees can come back out of retirement and work in a district without forfeiting their pension income,” he said. He added that retirees often stabilize a district quickly because \"everybody's on their best behavior during an interim superintendency.\" Costello, who has recently led searches as a former school committee chair, urged committee members to use MASC and school-superintendents' association networks to vet candidates and to draw on MASC’s question bank and interview materials.

Committee members emphasized the value of a Massachusetts-experienced candidate who can immediately navigate Chapter 70 funding rules, circuit-breaker special-education issues and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations. One member said Milton’s priority for an interim is demonstrated Massachusetts superintendent experience because \"we really need somebody who brings a demonstrated track record of confronting some of the challenges that we're facing here in Milton.\"

Kuchar said interim recruitment frequently yields several qualified applicants: \"I would hope that there might be, I don't know, four or five candidates who you might want to consider seriously.\" He recommended allowing retirees and in-state candidates to apply, noting national applicants sometimes underestimate local regulatory complexity. The MASC representatives offered ongoing, no-fee technical assistance to the committee.

The committee did not take a formal vote on hiring strategy at the March 19 meeting but acknowledged an immediate need to publicize the interim vacancy, screen applicants quickly and follow public-meeting rules for interviews. Kuchar and Costello provided contact information and invited follow-up questions from committee members.

Next steps: the committee expects the posted interim vacancy to remain open through March 31; the school committee will convene public meetings to review applications and interview finalists, and may appoint an interim superintendent under a short-term contract before launching a broader permanent search later.","The Milton School Committee met with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) to discuss an expedited process for hiring an interim superintendent beginning July 1, including candidate sourcing, retiree waivers, timeline expectations and public-verification rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Milton Public Schools presents winter diagnostic results; I Ready and DIBELS show consistent midyear patterns

Milton School Committee says FY25 faces shortfall; asks Select Board to free up $1 million and trims FY26 budget growth

Milton School Committee hears expedited interim-superintendent guidance from MASC