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Superintendent reports progress on equity audit, curriculum and behavior supports
Summary
Superintendent Lori updated the Falmouth School Committee on progress toward district goals including a newly selected K–6 ELA curriculum, a districtwide rollout of PowerSchool behavioral supports, expanded translation efforts and environmental education partnerships.
Superintendent Lori reported to the Falmouth School Committee on progress toward the district's three superintendent goals, emphasizing equity, professional practice in environmental stewardship and improved two-way communications.
Lori said the district has selected a new ELA curriculum for grades K–6, approved unanimously by the teachers who field-tested materials and the High Quality Instructional Materials team, and that professional development will begin in May with implementation next fall. "Professional development will begin in May and will continue through next year with an implementation start in the fall with our new curriculum," she said.
The superintendent said the district has reestablished its multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and has been building school-based leadership teams and instructional support teams. The district adopted PowerSchool's behavioral support across grades K–12 this year and plans to align elementary practices for implementation next year. "We believe that we have reached that agreement. Our work continues with the development of a guide that will outline the best practices for implementing MTSS," Lori said.
Lori also reported districtwide improvements in family communications: undeliverable email addresses decreased to 38 from 50 in February and the district is increasing translation and interpreter use, using platforms such as TalkingPoints and Google Translate and translating elementary report cards where possible.
On environmental and sustainability education, Lori said the district offers courses and initiatives including an environmental science pathway and partnerships with community organizations and maritime and scientific partners. She noted barriers to some procurement changes (for example, switching to bulk milk dispensers) and said the district continues to pursue grants and tax-credit opportunities for energy-efficiency and solar projects; a proposed solar project at Falmouth High School is tied to an Article 21 vote at town meeting.
Lori said the district has advanced its Healthy Schools grant work, local food procurement and school-garden plans, and that infrastructure and grant-seeking remain in progress.
The presentation closed with Lori noting the district had paused parts of its earlier implementation plan to allow the Building Needs Task Force to review the recent needs assessment before moving forward with construction or renovation work. "We listened and the community was asking for an assessment. So we stopped," she said.
The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; the report was informational and will be followed by future updates and posted materials, including a video and application materials related to the Lawrence renovation application.
