[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6567519,"mediaKeyId","3296278-9667b310c2f29c4a0ff7e8cef304904c","parentId",3296278,"title","School committee maps annual agenda, discusses special education, graduation policy and staffing","audioSeconds",2513,"startMs",1479000,"endMs",3992000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296278-9667b310c2f29c4a0ff7e8cef304904c&start=1479&end=3992","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296278-9667b310c2f29c4a0ff7e8cef304904c/thumbnail_1479000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567519/Massachusetts/School-committee-maps-annual-agenda-discusses-special-education-graduation-policy-and-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567519-9e08597eb5a6747e4b89a1c237289474/orig.mp4?Expires=1773754864&Signature=kPrv30Pprf5pftXJ8VSlUM-poQ7tegwXRf~M-jbXCo12u7NbypSlzRzlDcQtVSC-gkIUFmPWQKWpiVQ03JhjnRmLfQIqKOW6EXqqB67mNJP5GzMDS~wBrMfseT6Cq5ddry4SFfnHnIsDJC1BvRS7cZWaBvFeUGhR1EZXMFuSqlwV4zeGTR2Zg99Ep3qHWTDrqVlAhWaQMrD1WeRVp-p5uz~9iDDVOXSqieamqM-rIqXh2XVwFoxUiB2gq9K70WeznnzkHjtjioxXh-CI4S54uaCBXeVLz4agSMtx58R1w0zSxsNRTb8a1zg~wL3vpqez4FOUq4fEIo-5PVYhNqWjBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Southbridge Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-14T14:35:42Z","article","The Southbridge School Committee used its May 13 meeting for a visioning exercise to propose a regular yearly schedule of presentations and to discuss several operational topics including special education services, graduation requirements following removal of MCAS as a statewide diploma condition, staffing and facility needs.

Why this matters: The calendar and content of committee meetings determine oversight of hiring, budgeting, special education and facilities work that affect students, families and municipal budgets.

Cadence proposed by interim receiver William Metzger included: a June update on end-of-year and closing activities; a July hiring and summer-planning update; an August new-teacher institute and finalized professional development plan; a September report on school opening artifacts; an October 1 enrollment report (which informs funding and resource allocation); and March/April budget presentations leading into the fiscal-year process.

Special education and program changes: Committee members asked for a detailed special education update, prompted by news that a regional collaborative had closed one of its services. Metzger clarified that the collaborative's closure does not affect Southbridge because the district runs its own 18-to-22 program in-house. Committee members requested a presentation on how special education students are being served and whether services or staffing need adjustment.

Graduation requirements: The committee discussed the recent ballot question that removed the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) as a mandatory graduation requirement. Frank Kielpinski, a committee member, clarified that local graduation requirements remain in place and that the district must develop a program-of-studies approach that demonstrates proficiency through coursework and other measures. Metzger said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is working on recommended approaches for determining competency for students who previously would have relied on MCAS scores.

Staffing and budget context: Committee members asked for current job descriptions for administrators and for more detailed staffing updates, including athletics positions. Several members said they had heard criticism at a recent Education, Health and Human Services (EHS) subcommittee budget hearing that the district has \"too many administrators.\" The district presented a budget to EHS; the subcommittee referred the budget to the Town Council 2-1 unfavorably. Committee members said administrative staffing levels are being reviewed and that some central-office positions have already been reduced.

Facilities, school visits and community engagement: Members reported recent school visits to West Street Elementary, Southbridge Academy and Eastwood Road School and described positive classroom engagement, reading supports and dual-language programs. One member raised a privacy concern about a counseling corner located under a stairwell at West Street that may not provide sufficient confidentiality for students receiving counseling.

CPAC and parent outreach: The special education parent advisory (CPAC) will continue outreach at community events; members said CPAC and the district plan to use summer and fall events to increase parent understanding of programs. Committee members also suggested expanding volunteer involvement in athletics and discussed how seasonal coaching postings occur year to year under collective bargaining terms.

Training and next meetings: The committee will hold a mock meeting for training in conjunction with the Town Council to review Robert's Rules of Order (a Phase 2 DESE receivership requirement). Committee members announced the next regularly scheduled School Committee meeting is Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers; the mock meeting was scheduled for Tuesday the 20th at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Southbridge School Committee Meeting - 5/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Southbridge School Committee used its May 13 meeting for a visioning exercise to propose a regular yearly schedule of presentations and to discuss several operational topics including special education services, graduation requirements following removal of MCAS as a statewide diploma condition, staffing and facility needs.","taxTitle","Southbridge Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69279,"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},6567524,"Interim receiver William Metzger outlines listening tour, SWOT and turnaround priorities",1164,194000,1358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296278-9667b310c2f29c4a0ff7e8cef304904c&start=194&end=1358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296278-9667b310c2f29c4a0ff7e8cef304904c/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6567524/Massachusetts/Interim-receiver-William-Metzger-outlines-listening-tour-SWOT-and-turnaround-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567524-c167c004f05cebb35ed2e8adbe189e25/orig.mp4?Expires=1773754864&Signature=aqRjwW-J7gUGRQQ8~Ez~D1KCWsnl63iByZu59c5UVeVOYTVoFZ3myv53z3yPmHpy9sftWMzhCgk-xdNdUqVf7Sfb57glqfuh093YY8Z877XbNVGxb9R6OrJkUR1rLDfT0iQDcYdpHVkzawDOX7ZbbF1kdw9QGrCZRK6FMOMRTfYHAoRFGkqIvlGIFXyTXBsrAgfIrZbNb9Y2INuEUIh0Filh5hSJsfo955X7gQpHBhcDH3jJM~B6wnhRgLoMmRAtle1DyRx-BmQ2ydFuDS~Q-Ba2ScWJxJkc~iV5xIWbxrBI2VH5xvi4NsAi0aR0sdeS-XyOQoUBPZVhkKPd8HfSZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","William (Bill) Metzger, the new interim receiver and superintendent of Southbridge Public Schools, introduced himself to the School Committee and the public at the May 13 committee meeting and outlined early priorities including a listening tour, a districtwide SWOT analysis and work on the district's turnaround plan. Metzger said he is about two weeks into the role.

Why this matters: As the district remains under state receivership, the receiver's early actions shape the timeline and content of work that will be needed to return the district to local governance and to address persistent academic and operational issues.

Metzger described a long career in education and school leadership that began as a classroom teacher and advanced through assistant principal and principal roles. He said his family background and experience as a parent shaped his priorities for school safety, student supports and teacher development. \"Every student can and should learn every day,\" Metzger said, adding that safety must include both physical protection and an environment in which students and teachers can take instructional risks.

He told the committee he has begun a listening tour with the Southbridge Education Association and plans building-level visits over the coming weeks. \"Outreach, communication, and connection are very important to me,\" Metzger said. He said the district's data team has distributed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) instrument to building and district administrators and that leaders will convene at the end of the school year to review data and develop action steps.

Metzger listed five priorities he will use to guide planning: ensuring an inclusive and supportive school community with high expectations and equitable instruction; developing a districtwide professional culture of effective teaching and leadership; applying evidence-informed decision making using multiple measures; cultivating family engagement and community partnerships; and reorganizing resources to support consistent management, accountability and sustainability.

He said he has been working with the commissioner's office on a process to transition the district back to local governance but did not provide a timeline. \"I have not met or spoken to the commissioner yet. I don't have those answers for you,\" Metzger said, adding that he intends to help the committee reach the point when the state will return control to local officials.

Committee members welcomed Metzger's presence at meetings and in the community. The School Committee chair thanked him for attending his first meeting and invited him to sit on the dais for future meetings. Several committee members said being visible in town events such as the Memorial Day recognition and the parade will help build trust with families.

Metzger said he will also examine systems, structures and staffing as part of the turnaround work and expects to carry out hiring and budget-related planning during the summer. He described the role as \"a charge I take very seriously\" and said he will continue outreach and collaborate with the committee and municipal partners as the district moves into the next planning phase.","At the May 13 Southbridge School Committee meeting, interim receiver and superintendent William Metzger introduced himself, described his background and set out a short-term plan including a listening tour, a district SWOT analysis and priorities for reopening local governance.","actionData","errors"]

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School committee maps annual agenda, discusses special education, graduation policy and staffing

Interim receiver William Metzger outlines listening tour, SWOT and turnaround priorities