Massapequa UFSD outlines MTSS roadmap and expands RULER social‑emotional work in elementary schools

Massapequa Union Free School District leaders told the Board of Education on Jan. 9 they will broaden a district MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) framework and expand the RULER social‑emotional learning program at the elementary level.

Assistant Superintendent Jordan Mccaugh and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michelle Walsh outlined a plan to align academic interventions, behavior supports and social‑emotional learning within a single MTSS framework. They said the work builds on prior district RTI efforts and existing SEL activities and is intended to prevent problems, identify needs earlier and use data to monitor progress.

Why it matters: district presenters said MTSS connects core instruction and supplemental interventions so more students get timely supports before problems escalate. The approach is meant to improve outcomes, reduce fragmentation among services and build adults' capacity to respond consistently across K–12.

Key elements and timeline Mccaugh described MTSS as a system of interlocking supports, with tier 1 as core instruction (intended to meet about 80% of students' needs), tier 2 as targeted supplemental interventions and tier 3 as intensive supports; special education remains available for students who need individualized plans. He said teams use multiple data sources—grades, behavior and attendance—to monitor students and to guide interventions.

Walsh said the district will expand RULER (recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing and regulating emotions), a CASEL‑aligned program some buildings already use. The district will provide training and build implementation teams who will act as RULER ambassadors in their buildings. Elementary teams are entering a six‑week virtual training; secondary staff will receive coaching and reinvigoration rather than the full initial training.

Governance and professional development The presenters announced a district MTSS committee to review K–12 implementation and set goals; it will be co‑chaired by Mccaugh and Walsh and include Marion Sadalis (elementary special education supervisor) and Katie Fernandez (K–5 STEAM supervisor). They emphasized professional development for teachers and building-level teams to build adult capacity and said full schoolwide SEL can take three to five years to implement with fidelity.

Quotes from presenters Mccaugh said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of people in our charge,” and framed emotional intelligence as critical to student and staff readiness to learn. Walsh said MTSS means “thinking about what impacts our students and how to use our resources collectively to meet those students' needs.”

Next steps District officials said they will continue training, convene the MTSS committee, expand elementary RULER training, and report implementation progress to the superintendent and board as appropriate. Presenters asked parents and staff to view implementation as an expansion of existing supports rather than a replacement of effective current practices.