Methuen School Committee directs superintendent to prioritize bullying and communication after district audit

Methuen — The Methuen School Committee on Oct. 15 reviewed a third‑party audit of Methuen Public Schools and agreed to make student discipline and bullying a near‑term priority, directing Superintendent Dr. Kwong to present a draft goal and action plan at the committee’s Oct. 27 workshop.

The directive followed a wide discussion of the audit’s findings, which committee members said highlighted recurring concerns over communication between families and school administrators, inconsistent application of discipline and bullying policies, staff morale, and professional development needs. Superintendent Dr. Kwong summarized a color‑coded packet of audit recommendations and district notes she prepared from the auditors’ report.

“What we do this evening will really, model what will happen in the schools,” Superintendent Dr. Kwong said as she described the district’s plan to triage recommendations into items already in progress, budget‑sensitive items, and items that could become formal goals.

Why it matters: Committee members said the audit’s qualitative and quantitative results show points of persistent community concern, especially around bullying and discipline, and that a focused, measurable response is needed. Several members called for a coordinated community effort and a possible task force that would include schools, police and outside mental‑health professionals.

Audit and superintendent plan Dr. Kwong told the committee she had taken the auditors’ language verbatim for the primary bullets and added district notes beneath them to show what is already underway in Methuen. She said she and principals have discussed next steps and that some items are appropriate to fold into existing goals while others may require new, district‑level goals.

Dr. Kwong identified three themes she would prioritize for goal development: improved communication and administrative responsiveness; clearer staff feedback and recognition; and a closer examination of discipline and bullying policies. “There seems to be a very widespread misunderstanding that if something is not substantiated in bullying, the schools don't do anything about it,” she told the committee, saying the district needs to clarify definitions and consistent responses.

Committee direction and next steps Members coalesced around making bullying and discipline a first priority. The committee did not vote to create a formal task force during the workshop, but members repeatedly urged the superintendent to develop a structured action plan and a timeline. The superintendent agreed to return with a draft goal and implementation steps at the Oct. 27 workshop.

Members also requested follow‑up measures including re‑administering community surveys to track progress, exploring partnerships with local organizations and colleges for communications or social media support, and examining professional development and staffing needs tied to special education and IEP compliance.

Discussion highlights - Communication and social media: Several members urged the district to build an official social‑media presence to highlight positive school activities and to counter misinformation. Member Willett said, “I feel like we need a presence of the good stuff,” and several members discussed limiting comment features and establishing posting rules to avoid unmanaged backlash.

- Survey response rate and metrics: Member Deborah Maxwell noted that roughly 80% of parents did not respond to the audit survey sent last February, and members discussed the limits that low response rates place on interpreting the audit’s results.

- Discipline approaches: Committee members debated in‑house suspension, restorative practices and whether the district should reduce out‑of‑school suspensions in favor of on‑site alternatives. One member pointed to data in the audit showing higher than average out‑of‑school suspension rates and urged work on consistent discipline practices.

- Professional development and special education: Several speakers said professional development and IEP compliance surfaced repeatedly in the audit. Members asked the administration to include PD plans and staffing needs in follow‑up materials.

Third‑party audit and follow up The audit was conducted by an external firm identified in the report; the committee noted members of the firm (Jared and Kelly) provided contact information and are available to answer methodology questions by email. Committee members said additional follow‑up sessions with the auditors may be scheduled but cautioned the firm’s time is limited and the district should aim to maximize any future sessions.

Votes and routine actions The meeting recorded procedural votes to amend and accept the agenda and to adjourn. Those motions passed by voice vote; no committee member recorded a roll‑call dissent on those items during the workshop. There were no formal policy votes or ordinance adoptions on the audit recommendations at the Oct. 15 workshop.

What happens next The superintendent will draft a measurable goal on bullying and discipline, with suggested actions, partners and a proposed timeline, and present that draft to the School Committee at the Oct. 27 workshop meeting. Committee members also asked administration to scope options for social‑media management, propose a plan to re‑survey the community, and bring more detailed PD and IEP staffing information to a future meeting.

The committee closed the meeting after the discussion and agreed that the work on audit follow‑up will be ongoing.