Committee reviews superintendent goals and approves FY25–26 operating protocols

Members of the Westford School Committee reviewed proposed goals for Superintendent Dr. Chu and discussed committee goals and operating protocols at the Sept. 12 meeting. After discussion, the committee voted to approve the FY25–26 operating protocols.

Dr. Chu presented four proposed superintendent goals: (1) a student‑learning goal focused on student awareness and agency tied to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and SEL work; (2) a goal to review and strengthen district curriculum alignment and develop a multi‑year curriculum review cycle; (3) a district improvement goal to convene a report‑card committee and assess how student progress is communicated K–12; and (4) an SDIP goal to begin planning the fiscal‑year 2027–2030 Strategic District Improvement Plan. Committee members asked for clearer success measures in places — for example, how the district will demonstrate students’ awareness of UDL strategies — and suggested survey and qualitative evidence be incorporated into final success criteria. "If we look at the first goal…it's more than just Wayfinder; it's about whether students can act on the strategies they learn," a committee member said.

Committee members also discussed the district’s adoption of Wayfinder as a student‑facing tool for social‑emotional learning and engagement; Dr. Chu said Wayfinder replaced the Panorama platform after a pilot and that district leaders judged it more age‑appropriate for elementary students while still usable for secondary grades.

On committee business the group unanimously approved the FY25–26 operating protocols in a motion that was moved and seconded on the record. Earlier in the evening the committee also moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda; the chair announced both votes as unanimous. The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn that was seconded and approved.

In other committee planning, members reviewed draft committee goals that emphasize community engagement (coffee hours, presence at town events, surveys), oversight of the recent start‑time change and a proposal to create concise guidance for new subcommittee members. Members asked staff to refine language on measurable outcomes and to circulate revised superintendent goals ahead of the next scheduled vote.

Next steps: the committee will vote on the superintendent goals at the next meeting on Sept. 20; staff will post operating‑protocol materials to the shared drive and provide the committee with revised goals that incorporate the feedback given at this session.