Board praises innovative strategies in achievement gap reduction program

The Verona Area School District Board of Education convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss several key initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for students. The meeting highlighted the district's commitment to innovative approaches in addressing student needs and the importance of professional development for staff.

The session began with expressions of gratitude towards the staff for their efforts in creating a supportive learning environment. Board members acknowledged the significant turnaround in the district's approach over the past year, emphasizing the positive impact on both students and staff. One board member noted the importance of innovation in tackling challenges, praising the program's success in becoming a model for other districts.

A central topic of discussion was the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program, which replaced the previous Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) initiative. The AGR program focuses on providing targeted support for kindergarten through third-grade students in the district's four neighborhood elementary schools. The board reviewed the strategies employed under this program, including instructional coaching and class size reduction, which are critical for fostering foundational skills in early education.

The director of elementary education provided insights into the implementation of the AGR program, highlighting the flexibility it offers compared to the previous SAGE model. This flexibility allows for better planning and resource allocation, ensuring that class sizes remain manageable while also enabling schools to adopt various strategies to support student learning.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring the effectiveness of the AGR program and its impact on student achievement. Board members expressed optimism about the ongoing professional development for staff, which is expected to benefit not only students enrolled in the AGR program but also those across the district facing various challenges.

Overall, the Verona Area School District Board of Education meeting underscored the district's proactive stance in addressing educational barriers and enhancing the learning experience for all students. The board plans to provide further updates on the AGR program and its outcomes in future meetings.