Students, staff and administrators report progress on belonging, MCAS gains, special-education caseloads and cost-saving health plan

Students from Hubbardston Center School told the Quabbin Regional School Committee how a focus on belonging and monthly character traits has shaped school culture.

"Remember, you belong here and we believe in you," the students said as they described schoolwide read-alouds, puzzle-piece displays and monthly assemblies that highlight traits such as respect and gratitude. Principal Cook accompanied three 4th graders — Owen Shotwell, Kaden McHugh and Fiona Fonja — who described morning announcements, schoolwide readings and assemblies that recognize student achievements.

Administrators then summarized district-level academic and operational items. The superintendent said the district piloted full-day elementary parent-teacher conferences this fall in response to family and teacher feedback and will consider continuing the practice. The superintendent also said the acting commissioner of education, Russell Johnson, will visit the district on Monday, Nov. 25 to review how grant funding has been used to expand inclusive practices at the middle school level.

MCAS and accountability: District officials reported pockets of improvement in state testing and related measures. Three schools reduced chronic absenteeism and several grade/content combinations posted growth or achievement above statewide averages; Hubbardston Center School’s 4th-grade math growth was reported as 80% and Hardwick’s math growth was reported as 70%. The committee discussed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s recent change that reduces the role of MCAS in accountability, and staff said they plan to continue administering MCAS while monitoring how the change affects data quality.

Special education and staffing: Jill (director of student services) reported the district currently has 86 active referrals for initial evaluations and 153 reevaluations due during the year. The district has two school psychologists; special-education teachers complete many academic assessments, while psychologists typically handle cognitive testing, officials said.

Health insurance: Business staff reported that an initial renewal estimated at 14.3% was reduced to a 2.2% increase by moving employees to a high-deductible plan and using savings to buy supplemental coverage. Officials said actuaries and an insurance advisory committee helped design the approach and that the district budgeted conservatively in case claims are higher than estimated.

Technology and cybersecurity: Technology staff said the district applied to a pilot program that could provide cybersecurity products and training; officials noted the Federal Communications Commission launched a limited pilot allocating $200 million for cybersecurity products for a multi-year period and that demand far exceeded supply. The technology director said the district will learn decisions likely by the end of December. The district also ran phishing tests previously through a grant program and reported an instant click-through rate of under a dozen staff members; staff plan to resume monthly phishing testing in January.

Student activities and fundraising: Student-government representatives reported a senior-class fall bazaar fundraiser that drew more than 40 volunteers and community sponsorships; the students said they are still deciding how to allocate proceeds for prom and senior activities.

The meeting packet also included photos and samples of student work that administrators highlighted as evidence of literacy progress linked to a three-year curriculum implementation.