[{"_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",6082295,"mediaKeyId","2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc","parentId",2938753,"title","District reports gains on 11th-grade science assessment; parent raises concerns about I‑Ready and test opt‑outs","audioSeconds",3141,"startMs",3830000,"endMs",689000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc&start=3830&end=689","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc/thumbnail_3830000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6082295/New-Hampshire/District-reports-gains-on-11th-grade-science-assessment-parent-raises-concerns-about-IReady-and-test-optouts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082295-af87e444a40217ce57cef9317716c9d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609981&Signature=Sm8JfaZNzf9vZbz88T1bibzJYTkHs9OCs~4tUFJRUuvOncaSxBhgbiUmDdAy-05sr4vlbsCb10nWdXSQR1~1jZFRvSzRCo9vqoU3MP4iuiAuWGpCsYmtTuMDnW8e2pMf6-cK64UqIzxbpD6CF9Kk-79-QhbxnMsAbBiqPNiEe2kg8vg2VPjdbxDINy8~apk4icqPcqFEFsD0qg3nT1I9RqxvuCFf8iOtENOzoGMTDDLNWAHXqaMsKy3VScthiulJt83c1Bi1spW35kZroVoemF6kwaif61lV2y7GTFf8hR5HI6U4gDpVUwDo8OOltqtNqX-TFBE-1SIb1yoCwGJEhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Londonderry School District","date","2025-04-09T13:00:35Z","article","Superintendent and high-school staff reported an improved result on the New Hampshire SAS 11th‑grade science assessment: 60% of juniors were proficient or above and an additional 19% were approaching grade level, a combined 79% at or near grade level. District staff compared that to the prior year’s tested cohort (32% proficient or above), calling the change a 24‑percentage-point increase in proficiency and a 24‑point decrease in the proportion of students scoring below proficiency.

Participation and counts: Of 324 juniors enrolled, 280 took the test (87% participation); six students opted out and 20 were absent; additional juniors are in adult‑education programs. District staff said they expect to finish outreach so participation may rise into the 90% range when absentees and alternate arrangements are resolved.

Staff credited high‑school administration and the science department for outreach and preparation, including in‑class briefing by a competency coach, a PTSO‑sponsored breakfast for students on test day and limited incentives for improved performance. Administrators reported they scheduled testing with familiar science teachers to provide continuity and support and noted that an expanded effort to communicate the test’s instructional value likely contributed to stronger engagement.

Public comment and opt‑out concerns: Earlier in the meeting, a parent, Sean Matera (15 Preserve Drive), urged the board to reconsider the district’s use of frequent computer‑based assessments such as I‑Ready. Matera said he often opts his own children out of state tests and criticized what he described as the volume of interim district assessments, arguing parents were not being asked why they opted out. He also raised concerns that some interim assessments appeared misaligned with what students had been taught and questioned incentives tied to interim results.

Board response and next steps: Board members and administrators discussed outreach to families who opt out. Superintendent and staff said district coordinators engage with families who request opt‑out forms to understand reasons and to explain the value of state assessments and how results inform instruction. A board member offered to draft a letter from the board encouraging participation and clarifying the importance of state testing; the superintendent said staff would circulate a draft to the board for review. The administration also said they would continue follow‑up conversations with parents who opt out and emphasized that state assessments inform curriculum and targeted interventions.

Student voice and school perspective: A student speaker, Dylan (student council), and a high‑school staff member who supports testing efforts described incentives (breakfasts, reminders) and direct teacher involvement as helpful in obtaining higher participation and performance. The board and staff agreed to continue outreach, consider how interim assessments like I‑Ready are used in promotion and course placement decisions, and to evaluate communication strategies to rebuild or strengthen parent trust.

Outcome: The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes. Administrators will continue outreach to families who opt out, coordinate follow‑up conversations, and provide a proposed board letter for review at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 4-8-25","oneSentenceSummary","Londonderry High School juniors showed marked improvement on the New Hampshire SAS 11th‑grade science test, while a parent at the meeting urged the board to reduce interim testing and to ask parents why they opt out.","taxTitle","Londonderry School District, School Districts, New Hampshire","taxId",57338,"location","New Hampshire","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},6082300,"Board discusses two-tier busing for middle and high schools; bus company and staff outline benefits and data requests",787,1701000,2488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc&start=1701&end=2488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","/articles/6082300/New-Hampshire/Board-discusses-two-tier-busing-for-middle-and-high-schools-bus-company-and-staff-outline-benefits-and-data-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082300-7eb68018f60328d513aeaad5761a4ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609981&Signature=MjtTSAIRWEzfSp9GEcv6wpSl4d9Q7seNN51dB9qoI~6KIGyBGeXlp7vVMlDiQr6~kMrmfEcZk95-L7nxe9vT57Zt3cD4IwEETgRINrDoo4IMjDAffFt4N~st0Z7H4p~sSXiSRcH0J2Hn~j6Orhl5iGqgbsF6iwt2i6vamaASWkKP8TQfdkc2YF0Gtw-p7ROplag3I6jzMqt0p7Gjvr~WDLTjLjdCX5yo5LKUU5eMOBZ~9sQPnLWYbK8Z5-gO-0q-J6SA12-3SyA5F-JmfI-QxqnCmoFEEYMPayyeIKJdUpRBte~oadZykYfSDMqTi-Mf1whnhy06~aN8nYm45iscQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School administrators and representatives of the district’s bus company presented a proposal to reconfigure morning and afternoon bus runs so middle- and high-school students ride combined neighborhood routes (a two-tier system). The board received the presentation and asked staff for more detailed route-by-route timing impacts and additional community feedback before any formal decision.

Amity (staff member) introduced Melissa Quinones, Jen Lombard and Jen Willis from the bus company and recounted a ride-along showing the combined runs in operation. Presenters said four routes already combine Londonderry High School and Londonderry Middle School (LHS/LMS) students; the proposal would extend that model districtwide. Benefits cited included more efficient neighborhood routing (one pass through neighborhoods for both school levels rather than separate passes), later pick-up times for many high-school students (pick-ups clustered around 6:40–6:50 a.m. rather than some as early as 6:15 a.m.), potential fuel-cost savings and the possibility of removing at least one bus from the contracted fleet (bus replacement estimate discussed at about $70,000 per bus).

Presenters said typical observed waits when transferring from an LHS drop to LMS were modest (one ride-along noted a seven-minute wait before unloading at the middle school and a maximum observed additional wait under ten minutes for students in the observed scenario). The administration described seating as typically self-sorting (younger students sitting in front half of the bus, older students toward the rear) and said other districts use a two-tier approach without reported issues.

Concerns raised by board members and community speakers included how many middle‑school stops would shift earlier by more than ten minutes under different route configurations and how many high‑school pick-ups might shift later by 20–30 minutes under some proposals. Board members asked staff to prepare more granular samples that show estimated minutes earlier or later by stop and to solicit parent feedback before a next‑meeting decision. Several board members recommended a two‑week window for public comment and suggested staff present an updated set of mock routes showing specific timing impacts.

Outcome: No formal vote was taken. The board requested that administration and the bus company return with more detailed route timing snapshots and community input; the board signaled a preference to revisit the proposal at the next meeting after wider parent notice and staff follow-up.

The administration noted additional potential benefits during winter months (later pick-up times for high-school students when daylight is limited) and repeated that the change would be implemented for both morning and afternoon routes if adopted. The bus company and administration said reconfiguration would require time to redesign routes and asked the board to make a decision as soon as practical to allow schedule adjustments before the next school year.","Londonderry school officials and a contracted bus company described a proposal to move middle- and high-school runs to a two-tier system that would combine pickups by neighborhood. The board asked for more route-specific timing data and public feedback before deciding.",{"_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},6082305,"School Board approves Londonderry Middle School 2025–26 program of studies; several district policies advance",2421,2815000,5236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc&start=2815&end=5236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938753-edc973fbeb620d9058d124626a2890dc/thumbnail_2815000.jpg","/articles/6082305/New-Hampshire/School-Board-approves-Londonderry-Middle-School-202526-program-of-studies-several-district-policies-advance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082305-dbd8e2d2aafd2a9279882f0261111f46/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609981&Signature=fwJ-9x6hjrtyMskwe-6j3TK35LyOKrZJf6Ub8smJf8stsQGuJnQODfnNpI1nw85bzwWvEotPj32wmXsaOWXJF1~s1jh-Bq2ZslSfJPnxHdYspG7yAdXtVFbRKu3j6IuLPdbAkKLh5l5gm-I80naSDIQO8uJdR8b30KiI2KVuCTZVX-bJq9zth-i16s2Cji2V0EqA~PR~7fy4KrW~5UF0ZGUY7nFYr0WEpB3t5t2~LY8Xcuv92zqL0EiAyA-I8F358RTZ4YvJt5Vbb-fXimdusWQPTS6XVPrwMoFBlAl1bmqJDw7sKdAGDpnTi4RbpuEZPze88U-mTCDfTi5yx-64Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Londonderry Middle School presented an updated program of studies for the 2025–26 school year that the Londonderry School Board approved following a presentation and brief questions.

The board voted 5–0 to adopt the program of studies, which the district described as reorganizing related-arts into a quarterly model, adding a required nine-week technology-essentials course, expanding eighth-grade elective options and clarifying advanced pathways for students prepared for high-school-level work.

The program, presented by Megan (Londonderry Middle School staff) with comments from William (staff member), emphasizes a teaming approach in grades 6–8 and offers more student choice in related arts. Key curricular changes the board discussed include: making Technology Essentials a required nine-week course focusing on Google Suite, digital citizenship and introductory coding; offering Intro to Computer Science as an optional course; introducing a Grade 8 “Venture” PE quarter building toward ropes-course activities and outdoor options (to run in quarters 1 and 4); creating three distinct eighth-grade art quarter courses (Introduction to Photography, Hand Building with Clay, Introduction to Painting); moving related-arts from trimesters to quarters; and removing Read 180 and Advanced Young Adult Literature 8 to allow more students access to grade-level reading courses aligned with elementary literacy work.

The presentation also outlined the district’s advanced-pathways offerings for eighth graders: honors algebra, CP Algebra I, CP Earth Science (earth and space), and CP Spanish, German and French (course enrollments and staffing permitting). The board discussed how year-long music students will have a different related-arts scheduling block than students in quarterly music options.

Motion and vote: The board approved the motion to adopt the 2025–26 LMS program of studies (motion by Sarah Laughlin; second by Tim Porter). The roll-call style vote recorded five ayes and no nays: Sarah Laughlin — aye; Tim Porter — aye; Kevin Gray — aye; Bob Slater — aye; Amanda Butcher — aye.

Votes at a glance: During the same meeting the board also completed votes on several policies and readings. Highlights recorded in the minutes include unanimous approvals (5–0) for third readings and first readings where noted: policy JICJ (unauthorized electronic communication devices/cell phones) adopted (third reading); policy IKL (academic honesty and integrity) adopted (third reading); first readings or approvals to move forward were recorded for JLDA (wellness policy), JICL (Internet access for students), JICLR (student acceptable Internet use procedures), GBEF and GBEFR (staff Internet access policy and procedures), and rescinding older policy IIAE (acceptable use for students). For full vote text and motion seconds see the provenance and actions arrays below.

Board members asked clarifying questions about scheduling details, the capacity of advanced classes (staff noted CP German had a full section in the initial year), and how related-arts choices would feed into high-school readiness. Presenters said the changes aim to increase student choice and better align middle-school literacy and world-language offerings with district goals.

The presentation concluded with the board’s unanimous approval of the program of studies and the administration’s plan to implement the updated course catalog in scheduling and registration materials.

The board will publish the adopted program of studies to families and include the changes in next year’s course registration materials.","The Londonderry School Board on a 5–0 vote adopted the Londonderry Middle School program of studies for 2025–26, approving new course options, a required technology fundamentals course and expanded advanced pathways for eighth graders. The board also approved or advanced several policies in a series of votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports gains on 11th-grade science assessment; parent raises concerns about I‑Ready and test opt‑outs

Board discusses two-tier busing for middle and high schools; bus company and staff outline benefits and data requests

School Board approves Londonderry Middle School 2025–26 program of studies; several district policies advance