The Lewiston Public Schools superintendent presented four draft district goals and solicited public feedback at a community meeting, outlining priorities on graduation rates, standardized academic performance in math and reading, trauma‑informed school environments and expanded community engagement.

The superintendent said the draft goals were pared down from earlier, larger lists so the district could focus resources and monitor progress. "One of the fears of a goal‑making process is you miss things because you want to have specific targets," the superintendent said, adding that an opposing risk is having "so many goals that nothing started and improved upon." The superintendent described a process of table‑based review and a forthcoming public survey to gather additional input.

Why it matters: the superintendent presented preliminary cost and timeline estimates that would affect district budgeting and partnerships. The packet reviewed at the meeting included line items such as $1.5 million per year estimated for credit recovery and tutoring build‑out, $1 million for mental health staff, and a rough annual total of $4,750,000 if all proposals were implemented. The draft also includes a target of three schools operating as community schools by 2028 and a promise to publish an annual report and an online dashboard tracking goals and spending.

The four goals presented were: raising graduation rates while preserving diploma standards and offering flexible pathways such as credit recovery and adult‑learner options; improving standardized math and reading performance with high‑dosage tutoring and evidence‑based curriculum; creating safer, trauma‑informed school environments with restorative practices and enhanced mental‑health supports; and fostering community and student engagement through partnerships, mentoring and increased attendance strategies.

On assessment and instruction, the superintendent stressed the role of consistent metrics: "Standardized tests are not always the answer, but it is a consistent metric that produces results that are bigger than we are," the superintendent said, while also warning about incentives and the need to avoid "watering down" diploma standards. The draft proposes targeting high‑dosage tutoring for grades 3–8, expanded use of data and technology tools, and professional development for staff.

Participants raised concerns and suggestions across several themes. Multiple attendees urged more and clearer homework supports, with one commenter saying worksheets or take‑home materials would help parents be better informed for parent‑teacher conferences. A public participant identified only as Julia, who said she is running for school committee, urged the district to develop an "appropriate use of technology" policy and to review safety protocols and staff training after incidents in other districts.

Several commenters emphasized language and access barriers in households where English is not the primary language and urged that goals and interventions account for those differences. Youth‑service practitioners urged stronger connections with street outreach and community partners to identify emergent problems such as drug overdoses or youth violence and to develop quicker response pathways.

The superintendent described plans for implementation and accountability: responsible parties for each goal would include district staff and community partners; the committee is working on a dashboard so community members could view year‑to‑year metrics and trace how particular strategies and dollars relate to specific outcomes; and all public feedback will be compiled into a second round of materials for the school committee. The superintendent said a public survey would follow and that participants could submit written feedback or email comments.

No formal votes or policy adoptions occurred at the meeting. The session was a community feedback and planning discussion; the superintendent said the materials and collected input would be shared with the school committee and used to refine goals and budgeting assumptions.

The district will next publish the survey, continue to collect public input and provide updates to the school committee; the superintendent also noted the committee’s intent to publish annual progress reports and to develop the proposed dashboard so the public can monitor metrics and expenditures over time.