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Interim superintendent outlines district goals, enrollment and administrative priorities
Summary
Interim Superintendent Dr. Shields reported on enrollment, staffing additions to the cabinet, implementation steps on curriculum and communication, and five opportunity areas for a future five‑year strategic plan.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Shields updated the Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education on April 8 about work since taking the interim role in November, priorities for the district, and next steps toward a five‑year strategic plan.
Dr. Shields said the district ran its enrollment report on April 2 and recorded 5,267 students in grades K–12, 37 more than the same date last year. She said the district will not present a formal budget tonight because the state budget remained unsettled and the most recent extender had expired the prior day.
Dr. Shields described three immediate objectives she set on taking the role: provide a smooth administrative transition, continue progress on board goals, and lead the 2025–26 budget development. She said Rosemarie Colletti Martin joined the cabinet as assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development on Jan. 2 to support those efforts.
The interim superintendent outlined progress on board goals: implementing the i‑Ready math program in grades K–6, approving a new professional development plan, publishing a quarterly translatable newsletter called Port Spotlight, and launching a new RTI plan pending PGCD approval. She said the Wendell feasibility study and a district transportation plan are underway, and reimagining middle‑level education will produce recommendations this spring after student, teacher and parent focus groups.
Dr. Shields described actions to strengthen school climate, cultural competency programs (including outside programming on antisemitism), and a new onboarding process for new enrollees that uses an online workflow and a forthcoming digital onboarding guide. She also described operational opportunities such as expanding cross‑training, embracing data use, and exploring grant writing and new revenue sources.
In closing, Dr. Shields framed these items as foundations for a future five‑year strategic plan and emphasized continuing outreach with parents, union leaders, municipal officials and community partners.
Trustees posed clarifying questions about curricular organization at the secondary level and gathering student voice for the middle‑level reimagining effort. Dr. Shields agreed to incorporate staff and student feedback into upcoming focus groups and to schedule an I‑Ready progress report for a future meeting.
