Superintendent Dr. Clark, the district superintendent, told the Board of Education on July 15 that her priorities for 2025–26 are raising early-grade proficiency, boosting graduation rates and reducing discipline incidents while improving communication with the board and community. “I am the only employee of the board of education,” Clark said, describing her role coordinating the executive cabinet and district leadership team.
Clark said the district’s immediate academic focus is “academic proficiency by third grade in both reading and math” and a graduation target of 92 percent, noting current freshman-on-track rates of about 76 percent at one high school and 85 percent at the other. She proposed district goals including a 10 percent districtwide increase in reading and math, a 25 percent reduction in teacher vacancy, a 15 percent increase in freshmen-on-track and a 20 percent rise in parent involvement.
The superintendent reviewed the district’s chain of command: a six-member executive cabinet and a larger district leadership team that includes special education cooperative staff and building principals. Clark asked board members to direct proposed agenda items through the board president and to send community questions by email so her office can respond and keep the full board informed. She cited board policy 2-20 on public participation and asked board members not to respond during public comment, noting that staff will follow up and circulate answers to the full board.
Clark detailed routine engagement with building principals, principal advisory committee meetings and student ambassadors. On staffing, she said the district has expanded a “teacher ready” program from 25 to 50 seats and plans to recruit international teachers soon. She also said she evaluates executive cabinet members and that administrative job descriptions and roles are included in the board packet.
The onboarding session included a roster of cabinet and district leaders for board reference. Clark closed by inviting questions and said she would contact board members by phone on time-sensitive issues and by email for routine matters.