Visitation committee flags class-size and space concerns; recommends more informal board visits and I-Ready professional development

The district’s visitation committee presented its summary report during the March 10 Board of Education work session, noting both positive observations about staff dedication and specific concerns about classroom space and the implementation of the I‑Ready digital learning program.

Richard Schaffner, who presented the visitation report, said the committee visited every school to "listen, observe, and better understand the success and challenges within our schools." The report noted teachers described I‑Ready as requiring supplemental materials to be an effective curriculum and said the district’s current I‑Ready rollout had increased time on online modules, which some teachers told the committee limited direct instructional time. The report recommended additional guidance and professional development to integrate I‑Ready into daily instruction more effectively.

The visitation committee also raised space and class‑size concerns at Cornwall Elementary School (CES). Schaffner said the committee observed a class "being held in an extremely tiny room, not conducive to learning at all," and another classroom located at the bottom of a stairwell where supplies were kept on carts. Committee members said they felt those arrangements were not appropriate for full-time instruction for students with special needs and recommended the administration review classroom utilization and space assignments.

Committee members and several trustees discussed process questions about how visitations are conducted and shared with administration. Board members said past practice had been for the committee chair to meet with administration after visits to share findings and discuss possible next steps before a broader distribution; some trustees said a condensed summary rather than a full read-through would better respect administration’s opportunity to respond prior to public dissemination.

The visitation committee recommended: clarifying the Board of Education’s communication process for staff emails, creating more informal and organic opportunities for board visits to increase transparency, and providing additional guidance and professional development to support I‑Ready instruction. The board asked the committee to meet with administration and return a condensed summary to the full board after that meeting.

Ending: The visitation committee chair and administration will meet to review findings and propose follow-ups; the board asked for a condensed report at a future meeting.