Superintendent shares entry findings: district strong academically, warns of federal funding risks to staff

Allison, the district superintendent, presented an “entry findings” report to the School Committee on April 11 that catalogued Westborough Public Schools’ academic strengths, operational stability and a list of challenges and opportunities the administration plans to address in the coming year.

Allison said Westborough students outperform state averages on MCAS by about 20 points in both English and math and praised district structures such as weekly collaborative planning, curriculum leadership and a strong performing‑arts program. “Kids are achieving at a high level,” she said, citing specialty programs such as the high‑school QUEST internships and the district’s 18–22 program.

At the same time, Allison warned that pending federal changes could force the district to reallocate funds. She said roughly $1.5 million in federal funds support the district and that about $930,000 of that amount funds staffing positions, many of them paraprofessionals required to deliver services under students’ education plans. “Many of those folks are in jobs that are very specifically required by students’ educational plans. They’re not optional jobs. We cannot cut those jobs,” she said, noting that a loss of federal funding would require reallocation from elsewhere in the budget.

Allison highlighted several academic and operational priorities in the report: developing clearer K–12 digital literacy and computer‑science sequencing (the district currently relies heavily on librarians and electives), expanding access to rigorous courses (including AP and VHS where demand exceeds seats), strengthening supports for an increasing and later‑arriving English‑language‑learner population and continuing work around generative AI policy and academic integrity.

She called attention to attendance trends: post‑COVID absenteeism has risen across the state, and Westborough has seen increases in both student and staff absences. Allison said the district has clinical and counseling supports and partnerships with outside providers and is examining systemic approaches—from schedule design to outreach—to address underlying causes.

On community engagement and operations, Allison noted strong municipal partnerships, robust volunteer organizations and high operational stability in facilities and staffing practices. She also urged improved financial reporting alignment with the state’s chart of accounts: the district will hire a consultant and work with the town’s Munis system to align FY26 account numbers and historical data so school financials are more comparable with peer districts.

Allison announced hiring and search updates: the Director of Student Services search concluded with Meg Garvey selected as director; an assistant‑superintendent search produced two finalists who will visit next week and a final appointment is expected shortly. The superintendent said finalist visits will include a student panel so candidates' interactions with students can inform hiring decisions.

School Committee members responded with questions and suggestions. Several members urged the district to emphasize opportunities in AI and curricular innovation while retaining attention to student data privacy and academic integrity. Committee members also encouraged the district to pursue state or collaborative purchasing to lower software license costs and to consider long‑range capital planning beyond the usual 10‑year horizon to reduce the need for last‑minute large funding requests.

Allison said a fuller written report with supporting data will be released in May and that leadership will use community feedback and the May report to prioritize a focused district strategy over the summer.