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District 28 superintendent reports test-score gains, higher attendance and 100% compliance with state device rule
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Blake told the District 28 Community Education Council that literacy, math and science scores rose over the prior year, attendance improved and all district schools are implementing New York State27s ban on internet-enabled personal devices; he also introduced new principals who started on the first day of school.
At the District 28 Community Education Council27s September calendar meeting, Superintendent Dr. Blake gave a back-to-school report highlighting gains in student performance, small improvements in attendance and districtwide implementation of New York State27s ban on student internet-enabled personal devices. The superintendent also introduced several newly appointed or interim principals who began work on the first day of school.
Dr. Blake told the council the district moved from 54.5 percent to 61.4 percent proficiency in English language arts and from 59 percent to 64 percent in mathematics; science performance rose from 35 percent to 48 percent. He said the district27s Level 4 (highest proficiency band) rose from 22 percent in 2018 to 32 percent in 2025. Dr. Blake linked higher attendance to better outcomes and said chronic absenteeism decreased from 35.3 percent to 32.5 percent, while overall attendance improved from 90.7 percent to 91.2 percent year over year.
"Attendance, of course, is a very important relationship between attendance and performance," Dr. Blake said, urging families to ensure students come to school. He said the district has set a target to raise attendance to 92.2 percent.
On the topic of personal devices, Dr. Blake said District 28 had completed reviews and that "all District 28 schools are in full compliance" with the state law as of late August. He summarized the local implementation expectations he said the law requires: personal internet-enabled devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches) are not permitted in classrooms and must be stored using school-approved methods.
Dr. Blake also named new principals and interim leaders who joined District 28 this fall, including Angela Ancona (MS 157), Debbie Lombard (PS 175), Rosanna Speranza (PS 303), Dr. Shauna Green (PS 86) and Walter Remish (PS 50, interim). Several speakers, including principals present by video, described positive first-day experiences at their schools.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hall and other district leaders were on the call to support the presentation and to answer follow-up questions about implementation and school supports.
The superintendent27s presentation framed the gains as progress while acknowledging the district27s high share of economically disadvantaged students (Blake cited roughly 71 percent). He said the district will continue to prioritize literacy, mathematics, reducing chronic absenteeism and strengthening family engagement.
Council and public commenters pressed for more disaggregated data, including north-side/south-side and subgroup breakdowns, and asked for follow-up on how attendance and learning gains link at the school level. Dr. Blake and deputy superintendent staff said they would work with the council to provide additional detail in subsequent briefings.
Council leaders closed the item by thanking principals and district staff for the start-of-year work and by noting continuing priorities for the year ahead.
