School Committee adopts first-year District Improvement Plan; priorities set for teaching, systems and family engagement

The Danvers School Committee approved the district’s one-year District Improvement Plan, which frames the first year of a five-year strategic plan and outlines four pillars: teaching and learning; school-wide systems and structures; family and community partnerships; and district procedures and policies.

Kristen Anderson, curriculum and professional development lead, described initiatives under each pillar, including a districtwide ELA curriculum rollout for preschool through Grade 8, selection and strengthening of math programs, implementation of the Wayfinder social-emotional curriculum (PreK–5 rollout with secondary pilots), and an expanded preK–12 mental-health team of guidance counselors, psychologists and behavior specialists.

The plan also includes operational moves such as expanded use of Munis for budgeting and payroll-related processes, online student registration and a multi-year facilities review. Anderson said the plan is the first year of a multi-year effort tied to the Portrait of a Graduate competencies and that building-level improvement plans will include specific benchmarks and action steps.

Vote and context

A committee member moved to approve the plan for the 2023–24 school year. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. Members said alignment of budgets and evaluation goals to the plan will follow.

Ending

Committee members said the plan’s pillars will remain unchanged across the five-year strategy while annual priorities and action steps will be adjusted and measured at the building level.