The Shrewsbury School Committee on Oct. 8 reviewed a draft of the district’s goals and action steps for the 2025–26 school year, the third year of a five‑year strategic plan. District leaders emphasized three continuing commitments—educational excellence, enhanced well‑being, and optimization of resources—and presented updated priorities under each heading.

Why it matters: The annual goals steer district spending, professional development, and program decisions. A clear plan helps the committee and community align on priorities such as curriculum changes, behavioral supports and staffing needs.

Highlights from the draft presented by Ms. Clowder include: expanding a K‑8 aligned literacy curriculum (adding grades 7–8), strengthening Tier 1 instructional practices across content areas, renewing focus on math interventions, continuing implementation of Wayfinder social‑emotional learning and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), addressing chronic absenteeism, and prioritizing staff recruitment and retention (including efforts to diversify the applicant pool). The draft also calls for clearer communication with the community about budget impacts — including the high‑school overcrowding issue — and continued pursuit of grants and philanthropic funding.

The district sought input from principals, building leadership, joint school councils and students in developing the draft. Ms. Clowder said the plan will be posted on the district website for community review and feedback ahead of the committee’s adoption vote at the Oct. 15 meeting.

Committee members praised the collaborative process and the continuity of priorities from prior years. Several members encouraged public review and said the goals should be refined only after community feedback is considered. No formal vote was taken on Oct. 8; members were asked to submit comments before the Oct. 15 vote.