School Committee approves four elementary school improvement plans

The North Andover School Committee unanimously approved school improvement plans for Atkinson, Thompson, Sargent and Franklin elementary schools during its Oct. 23 meeting.

The plans follow districtwide goals to expand use of high-quality instructional materials, strengthen a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and build school cultures that increase family engagement. Committee members voted 5-0 to accept the four plans after principals and district staff summarized school-specific actions and answered questions.

Atkinson principal Erin O'Loughlin described efforts to increase family participation through a redesigned open house where students led caregivers on scavenger hunts, and monthly “RAISE” assemblies focused on values such as respect and inclusion. She said a post-event survey showed high staff approval and that caregivers reported increased opportunity to socialize with other families.

Thompson principal Chris Leahy highlighted a four‑tier approach to culture-building (community, school, classroom and individual) and noted new PTO-driven family events, an all‑school read to support inclusion, relationship‑mapping to ensure every student has at least one trusted adult, and renewed partnership with outside presenters for social‑emotional learning.

Sargent principal Karen (last name not specified in the transcript) said the school is surveying all students three times a year to check climate and transition concerns after merging student populations from another building. She credited recent additions of counseling staff and district social‑emotional supports for enabling deeper individual work with students.

Franklin’s principal (name not specified in the transcript) emphasized inclusion as a central goal, described new all‑school meetings using the responsive classroom model, plans to restart a student council, and steps to ensure events are accessible to students in the building’s RISE program (a structured‑environment program).

Committee members asked for clearer, measurable targets in unit language and for follow‑ups in the spring showing what worked and what did not. The superintendent and principals said more specific targets (for example, percent‑point increases in family participation) are being added to the written plans and that the plans will be revisited in subsequent meetings.

The vote: the committee moved, seconded and approved the motion to accept the four plans. Committee members recorded votes aloud: Moskovich — yes; Sams — yes; Brown — yes; Cormier — yes; Chair Hicks — yes.

The superintendent said the plans will be entered into the district minutes and that the administrators will return with additional data and implementation details later in the year.

Votes at the meeting also included earlier procedural items; a separate "Votes at a glance" list in this package includes those outcomes.