Superintendent William Hart told the Everett School Committee Monday that district attendance is up compared with the same time last year and that chronic absenteeism is trending down.

Hart highlighted recent community and staff generosity — including gift cards and toys distributed across schools during the holidays — and thanked volunteers and partners who supported holiday efforts. He also announced the district has recruited a candidate for the director of Title I and previewed family engagement events, including cultural performances and free parent workshops on mathematics and reading.

The superintendent briefed the committee on ACCESS testing required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for English‑learner students. Principal Dennis Lynch explained that all students classified as English learners (levels 1–5) will take the four‑domain ACCESS test (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Lynch said the district expects to test roughly 700 students over two days and that non‑testing students will have a delayed start at Everett High School (10:30 a.m.).

"So all ELs, anyone classified as EL, so that's level, 1 through 5, will, will test," Lynch said. He added that test results determine language proficiency and class placement and that results feed into accountability and placement decisions.

The committee accepted the superintendent's report and placed it on file by voice vote.