Brentwood outlines 'Graduation Plus' framework and requests 23 new secondary positions

Brentwood Union Free School District presented a districtwide secondary plan called "Graduation Plus" on April 12, outlining a framework to align career and college readiness, expand career and technical education and request 23 additional secondary staff positions to implement planned program growth.

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Matt Gangler described Graduation Plus as a conceptual framework linking success pathways (college, career and civic preparation), project- and problem-based learning, growth culture and stakeholder empowerment. Gangler said the district expanded use of the college-and-career platform Naviance to students in grades 6–12 this year and surveyed students districtwide to inform program choices; he said more than 10,000 student responses informed planning.

Gangler highlighted existing and planned programs that fit the Graduation Plus framework. He said Brentwood will offer a Department of Labor-approved "learn to earn" apprenticeship cohort with local partners (named in the presentation as LaIuna, the Hoglin Group and Local 66) to place students into construction craft apprenticeship opportunities; expand culinary facilities and update a studio and radio station; and continue partnerships with Suffolk Community College, Stony Brook University and Farmingdale. He said project-based learning examples include an eight-week aeroponics project that combined science, math, marketing and 3D printing.

Gangler presented staffing requests tied to projected enrollment and program expansion. Secondary staffing requests included 23 new positions (detailed by building in the presentation) — examples cited: a family and consumer sciences teacher; two career-technical education teachers to support the learn-to-earn cohort; restorative-practice coaches (two districtwide and one requested for the freshman campus); additional music teachers for middle schools; bilingual math and career-technical positions at specific schools; and administrative requests including an assistant coordinator of guidance, an assistant coordinator for health/recreation K–12, an evening high-school assistant principal to support adult education expansions and an additional high-school dean. Gangler said the high school currently serves over 10,000 students, and that last year more than 1,002 graduates earned at least one college credit; 20 students graduated with 30 or more college credits, and 112 graduates earned BOCES certifications.

On graduation rates, Gangler said the district's 2024 four-year cohort graduation rate was calculated at 78 percent but that a data-transfer issue excluded 88 students from the snapshot; when those students are included he said the rate would be 84 percent and the district is discussing cohort accounting with New York State.

Gangler said Brentwood is one of 23 New York State schools selected for a state review of alternative assessments tied to career-and-technical education and project-based performance assessments; he said 15 staff are working on initial implementation and that New York State officials, including Commissioner Betty Rosa, have observed the district's work.

Board members praised the presentation and asked follow-up questions about continuity of academic intervention services (AIS/MTSS) across middle schools, high-dosage tutoring, the role of restorative-practice coaches and plans for a satellite mental-health clinic. Gangler and other administrators said schedule alignment, common planning time for teachers and after-school tutoring are part of the approach; details on the satellite clinic's opening date, staffing levels and job postings were not available at the workshop.

Votes at a glance: The board adjourned by motion at 8:55 p.m.; the motion was made by Hassan Ahmed and seconded by Maria Malave and carried by voice vote as "Aye. Aye." (no detailed roll-call recorded in the transcript).

Ending: Gangler closed by thanking the board and district staff; board members said the plan validated long-term investments and asked staff to continue refining staffing and facility cost estimates for the 2024–25 budget.