Marlboro Central outlines K–12 action plans prioritizing literacy, attendance and student leadership; board approves consent agenda and $4,000 evaluation

Marlboro Central School District leaders presented coordinated K–12 action plans at the Feb. 20 Board of Education meeting that focus on improving literacy, reducing chronic absence and expanding student leadership and career-technical experiences. The board approved the consent agenda and separately approved a $4,000 contract for an independent psychological evaluation.

The presentation was led by district administrators and building teams from Marlboro Elementary School (MES), Marlboro Middle School (MMS) and Marlboro High School (MHS). Superintendent Rydell said the building plans "are all rooted in the board of education goals" and described the district’s approach of turning those goals into specific action plans run by continuous improvement teams.

At MES, presenters described a continuing “One School, One Book” program, updated report cards tied to next-generation standards, and expanded social-emotional learning (SEL) and PBIS recognition programs. Elementary staff said they are emphasizing attendance with brochures, front-entry infographics and an upcoming parent engagement night to help families understand how even brief daily tardiness reduces learning time. MES staff cited the specific example presented in the meeting that "a child that is 10 minutes late each day will miss six full days of school in a year." Literacy work includes common writing tasks across grades and a schoolwide vocabulary program managed with a literacy coach.

MMS staff described an inaugural interdisciplinary day tied to Black History Month that produced a buildingwide timeline and student-created lessons. The middle school is piloting an elective called "People on the Planet," which began student-led food audits and composting work and includes a future proposal to build a greenhouse on MMS property. MMS leaders asked the board to consider converting a monitor position to a clerical role dedicated to attendance work, saying clerical support would allow staff to focus on the outreach and tracking the district’s attendance initiative requires.

High school presenters highlighted strengthened career-technical offerings and external partnerships. MHS staff described partnerships with local manufacturers (Sonotech and Viking Industries) and plans to acquire a desktop Haas unit for subtractive manufacturing so students can gain industry-standard experience. The high school also reported expanded field trips and employer visits, and an increase in electives meant to offer real-world experience.

School counseling and college-career work were detailed at the high school. Counselor Mrs. Jordan said the district uses the SchoolLinks platform from grade 5 through 12; teachers processed more than 1,000 letters of recommendation this year and the counseling office tracked over 900 college or program applications. The office also outlined recent trips to SUNY Dutchess, Marist and SUNY Albany, and said juniors will attend a college fair in April. "We invited parents and guardians to meet with us for individual planning," Jordan said, reporting the counseling office’s work to increase parent communication and postsecondary planning.

Attendance surfaced repeatedly across buildings: presenters from MMS and MHS said district attendance averages have fallen from the mid-90s to roughly 90–93 percent since the COVID period. Middle- and high-school staff described tiered interventions — family contact, nurse involvement, letters and home visits — and emphasized that getting students back into class requires both school-based outreach and additional office capacity to track cases.

The board’s formal business included approval of the consent agenda, which encompassed contracts and agreements, personnel recommendations, the official minutes for January 2025, a district donation, audit materials and financial reports. The motion to approve the consent agenda was moved by Joanne and seconded by Faith; a roll-call vote recorded all listed members voting "yes." Later the board voted to approve a contract with Randall Thomas, PhD, for an independent evaluation at a cost of $4,000; that motion was moved by Tony and seconded by James Kuha and also passed on a roll-call vote.

Several classroom and extracurricular items were mentioned in passing: the middle- and high-school drama productions (the high school production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid March 14–16; complimentary tickets and reimbursement instructions were explained during the meeting), the elementary author visit planned for April 1, and March 3 as the kickoff for elementary One School, One Book during Read Across America week.

The meeting closed after brief student representative reports and a motion to enter executive session on litigation; no action followed the executive session during the public meeting.

Ending: The district framed the board meeting around measurable, building-level action plans intended to align K–12 curriculum and supports with board goals. Administrators asked the board to consider staffing adjustments to support attendance work and to continue backing career-technical investments and cross-building programs such as No Place for Hate and Safe School Ambassadors.