[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6218737,"mediaKeyId","3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409","parentId",3625695,"title","District highlights strategic-priority progress: internships, early-college pilot, curriculum reviews and capital planning updates","audioSeconds",4603,"startMs",307225,"endMs",4910655,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409&start=307&end=4910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409/thumbnail_307225.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218737/Massachusetts/District-highlights-strategic-priority-progress-internships-early-college-pilot-curriculum-reviews-and-capital-planning-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218737-4f843eefb841c140f745ab050222f055/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951077&Signature=HYSLu5hF9Ci4iYXIEcOxyNxGHtNUdYSKKNc4zY4qMjb8VIyzAVldhDI0bP-AJluL77Ssw38ygV7~sXqpAYV1ASC7YMnQez7vCESgPHuWlHtf9z3kBZY4NTXN2heKAOMrsa~ES7LKcuAFUW8uZKKvXDtdGr~VV~sWhIIBHzYciBzETMo9544A6eyczH4svyPkjgdX64oAq7623QnNc1pK0rHAwrymh5M1w6VtTE5MpPJ0eHArxlw98FstE7O3yiqtFqxb-K93r9qCxekypvCO7G6ycbmI7ovtudfHjeez-877gUoeT-dRboYeoz9qbOOsItMprMU4XDgU47TzUr6L4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mendon-Upton Regional School District, MA","date","2025-06-03T12:38:45Z","article","District leaders presented an end-of-year report on strategic priorities, highlighting progress on deeper learning, curriculum work, early-college programming, internship expansion and capital planning.

Administrators said the junior-year internship program expanded from 20 placements last year to 40 juniors this summer, with placements across town partners including local government offices and Clark University; a student showcase was scheduled for Friday, June 13. The district plans to grow this program in future years to serve more juniors as capacity allows.

The district described planned early-college opportunities through a partnership with Quinsigamond Community College. The pilot will offer selected college-level courses (business law and ethics; introduction to psychology) for high-school students; administrators said details on fees and enrollment logistics are still being finalized and that the district will start small to avoid negatively impacting existing course offerings.

On curriculum, the district reported field-testing and review work across ELA, math and science. For English language instruction the district will move to updated K–12 materials aligned to 2020 WIDA standards (elementary: Reach; middle/high: National Geographic/Cengage and LIFT). The math department will pilot two resource options for Algebra I/II and explore embedding data science in secondary courses. Elementary Project Lead The Way (PLTW) modules and student portfolios were also highlighted as growing initiatives.

Administrators described instructional partners and professional learning communities as a strategy to expand instructional leadership despite limited district coaching capacity; the instructional partners model employed eleven staff this year in school-based projects. The district also reported progress on equity initiatives including whole-child reviews, 504 coordination processes (71 students on 504 plans coordinated by nine educators), and a Netmoc- (NetMock) launch program to support incoming eighth-graders.

On capital planning, administrators said the district is meeting with architects and the owner's project manager, conducting site visits, discussing field projects and energy management systems, and coordinating with utility providers on transformer needs. Officials said they had submitted required materials to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and were advancing schematic design and regular OPM/architect meetings.

Ending

The superintendent framed the year as productive across multiple initiatives and said many items will continue as multiyear efforts; committee members thanked staff and noted the capital plan remains a high, ongoing priority.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee Meeting 6/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","District leaders reported year-end progress across strategic priorities, including a larger junior internship program, a small early-college pilot with Quinsigamond Community College, ongoing curriculum field tests and active capital-planning steps with architects and project managers.","taxTitle","Mendon-Upton Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69248,"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},6218743,"Mendon-Upton presents English learner program update; state monitoring finds one staffing-related corrective item",938,1015565,1953775,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409&start=1015&end=1953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409/thumbnail_1015565.jpg","/articles/6218743/Massachusetts/Mendon-Upton-presents-English-learner-program-update-state-monitoring-finds-one-staffing-related-corrective-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218743-054a6104c3c02b1a6fe3796b1b928085/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951077&Signature=h6q~QsazyiqBSMbbnIpoBJ-~ByFdNi7K~0JgdZhMK8Dit6jZT06oCsTirskP~r~7vEAYcnE~EWWWgdSeaDyXTsfM7400woLSh6RgzdMxvprs0-NonxIyqTklfWg0Yr9RDFUWRl2DM~ajK--udG-327gjgwYEcj9Wq~4dobUzgGIsoxbfqJDSfhoKqPDbpN9go2tPYdkNGfU-wF-TOBxbgQsoFN5Dq25lpVHERzI9ss7zzdGI67-xJ0zvDA1zMc7O~2qrjBU6lfnuv~6PF4gxGyuBohTvTomx3LLtA9HH8SEwAr0HeDV2C1i-4xGdEk8fjt99H0KtURa-hGF~snbNPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators and the English learner team presented an end-of-year update on services for multilingual learners, statewide ACCESS results, curriculum alignment to the 2020 WIDA standards, and the results of the state’s targeted and focused monitoring (TFM) review.

Dr. Kirkpatrick, the district’s English learner (EL) director, joined EL teachers Debbie Goyle (Memorial), Kim Lopes (Yiplock) and Steph Meyer to present student demographics, ACCESS outcomes and next steps. The presenters said the district’s EL population has grown significantly since 2019, and that the district now serves students from 15 languages and has enrolled students with more complex needs, including two students identified as SLIFE (students with limited or interrupted formal education).

On ACCESS testing, presenters reported that, compared with the state’s benchmarks, Mendon-Upton students exceeded state progress targets in 2024 and 2025 in several schools: Memorial and Clough each met progress targets at about 84–85 percent; MSCO improved from about 37 percent to 60 percent meeting progress targets; and Nipmuc recorded about 50 percent meeting progress targets. Presenters also said roughly 80 percent of EL students increased their English proficiency year over year. Presenters noted that elementary buildings each have a full-time EL teacher while a single EL teacher splits time between the two secondary buildings, which limits service frequency in the middle and high schools. The team also noted a higher share of older EL students are on IEPs (for example, at the middle school six of about 17–18 EL students are on IEPs), which affects exit rates and rate of progress on ACCESS targets.

The presenters summarized DESE’s targeted and focused monitoring (TFM) process, which the district began in early 2024. The TFM review examined curriculum alignment, student outcomes, staffing and services, family engagement, and other program components. The district reported it met state criteria in all TFM areas except ELE-5, which the report described as related to program and services staffing capacity; district staff said they submitted additional information and a continuous improvement plan to DESE and will provide ongoing updates. As corrective action steps, presenters described plans to: coordinate a shared vision of service provision across buildings; review and realign EL schedules to increase service capacity; foster structured collaboration time between EL and general-education teachers; and pursue capacity-building, including supporting staff who want ESL licensure and exploring hiring if needs persist.

Presenters described a curriculum review to align materials to 2020 WIDA standards. The district plans updated K–12 materials in 2025–26, retaining Reach for elementary and adopting National Geographic/Cengage and LIFT (middle and high) materials for secondary levels, according to the presentation. District staff also summarized DESE guidance on interpreter training tiers and said the district is delivering tier 1 and tier 2 trainings to local interpreters and exploring tier 3 (advanced/legal interpretation) options. In the short term, the district will continue to supplement local interpreters with contracted interpreters where necessary.

Ending

The committee discussed the presentation, asked clarification questions about cohort effects and staffing, and the district indicated next steps include schedule alignment, targeted professional development and the continuous improvement plan submitted to DESE.","District staff presented growth on ACCESS testing, curriculum updates aligned to 2020 WIDA standards, a targeted and focused monitoring (TFM) review from DESE with one corrective-area on staffing and program services, and plans for interpreter training tiers and increased ELD materials and staffing capacity.",{"_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},6218747,"Mendon-Upton school committee holds annual reorganization; officers, subcommittees named",5510,18445,5528503,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409&start=18&end=5528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409/thumbnail_18445.jpg","/articles/6218747/Massachusetts/Mendon-Upton-school-committee-holds-annual-reorganization-officers-subcommittees-named","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218747-27809869b2dd81f62f9465adf57b88cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951077&Signature=O~ggMsWf9~b~0AF3rhr4VO7XU6M~g7wR4P44xl-5~u1wEf681Ji7fjVjA68vdzbcnKMAB4uFUwwC1kYxZ9-jijAIosu11MxVIgj8WV9kIsIisSZj4CXxZx47SSK8DRGlGvg~qvNfslBa-ZFU5h5ULwXoMxKVnAwprwjytz6V5vz~bzfNnQJtwGmM--P-xYADY3Xz1RqLL6H~UuhLHUbgm-ffUXIWrmWWhD1o4OkpHVkdRP~aEhjfcqFe5obf~7QNZ19Pc-3IlS11t9vs5-UklcQa5-G0Tt0vr8K-fv9OOrP2DoVK7dqd26UNJBdjjxXBj8Z0V7rpNjgMP-WE0q1KTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mendon-Upton Regional School District School Committee held its annual organization meeting and elected officers and subcommittee memberships before moving on to the regular agenda.

At the start of the meeting the superintendent called the annual organization meeting to order, and the committee conducted nominations and roll-call votes for chair, vice chair, secretary, assistant treasurer and other appointments. Committee members approved the meeting agenda and minutes from the May 12 meeting by voice vote before proceeding with officer elections.

The committee elected Jim Orkey as chair by roll call following a nomination and second. Committee members also elected Eric Mountain as vice chair by roll call. The committee approved a slate of administrative and representative appointments, including a nomination for secretary and the assistant treasurer role. The committee approved library-trustee and trust-fund representatives, and named subcommittee memberships: Budget subcommittee (Sean Nicholson, Eric Brown and the chair), Policy subcommittee (Carrie, Vicky and Matt), Negotiations (Carrie, Vicky and Eric), Superintendent evaluation (Matt, Carrie, Vicky) and Capital Planning (Matt, Eric and the chair, plus other named members). The chair said these subcommittee appointments were then voted on and approved.

Before adjourning to remaining agenda items, the committee made several additional routine appointments announced during the reorganization. The meeting record shows the votes taken by roll call and multiple verbal “aye” responses; specific spoken vote responses recorded in the transcript are included in the article provenance and the actions array.

Ending

The committee concluded the reorganization portion and proceeded to chairperson comments and the superintendent’s reports.
","The Mendon-Upton Regional School District School Committee completed its annual organizational meeting, electing Jim Orkey as chair and selecting other officers and subcommittee memberships by roll call votes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218733,"Three educators honored with Golden Apple awards in Mendon-Upton",379,401220,780850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409&start=401&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625695-c6a34e4b9cd476617cb035e7c44ec409/thumbnail_401220.jpg","/articles/6218733/Massachusetts/Three-educators-honored-with-Golden-Apple-awards-in-Mendon-Upton","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218733-e5da04747d5c901ff4d372fbf5ac4d90/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951077&Signature=jJS6KS4AkBRbS9kZ0Sk4W~zcOOOrhrhPwKVostgdjGWZBrSVOXcllN3SSaODNKtvGAn-ZngQ~QsbxDGAzfTbgqfhEqWyF7z4lnElrI~GMmIKOjsfb9GImLlW-bBCWLCXHGNWonJFz3Zdzw-HCSj5zYXVqx5Mxhu1b-VSPt-30JJQhVMv79l9ShWlqguy06yhNUgzP2~i5Z0rWVKYQJWsqfwTYBb53SMZyn1sEUBtW1JUcaiC3uo64LKcjmYshraEv56Z1HPPD5iVZSuwUjZeDf-4soBLn4hSVO~p6gfCV7Qfx6xrwkBnvG5erjH-wj~1LC7LL-~LR4VSvSRHSbqdeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mendon-Upton School Committee presented Golden Apple awards to three educators, acknowledging classroom impact and contributions to students and families.

The committee announced the recipients and read nominations describing each honoree’s work. The first recipient, named in the transcript as Debbie Covel, was recognized for work as an English learner teacher, including flexibility, compassion, advocacy for families, translation assistance and curriculum supports that foster inclusion. The second recipient, Erin Welch, was recognized as a special educator praised for collaboration with families, individualized goal-setting and consistent communication. The third recipient was introduced in the transcript as the district’s music teacher (presented as Michael Lehi) and was honored for leading the band and jazz programs, encouraging students musically and providing extracurricular support.

Each honoree spoke briefly and expressed appreciation to colleagues, families and the committee. The committee applauded the recipients and thanked staff for their work.

Ending

The awards presentation concluded and the committee proceeded to superintendent and administrator reports.","The committee recognized three staff members with Golden Apple awards for teaching and inclusive practices: Debbie Covel, Erin Welch and a music teacher introduced as Michael Lehi in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District highlights strategic-priority progress: internships, early-college pilot, curriculum reviews and capital planning updates

Mendon-Upton presents English learner program update; state monitoring finds one staffing-related corrective item

Mendon-Upton school committee holds annual reorganization; officers, subcommittees named

Three educators honored with Golden Apple awards in Mendon-Upton