The Ashland Public Schools School Committee on Dec. 11 heard a detailed report on the district's multilingual and English‑learner (EL) population and approved several administrative items, including an April 20–26, 2026 student trip to Athens and nearby Greek islands, and a request to open Chesterton Academy of the Immaculata as a private high school in Ashland.

Christy Arnold, director for English language education, presented the EL program data and the district's approaches to improving student outcomes. "So currently, we have 926 multilingual learners, meaning they've listed a language other than English as their primary language at home," Arnold said, and she told the committee that 225 of those students were identified as English learners who need additional language support. Arnold also said 47 former ELs remain under four‑year post‑exit monitoring.

The presentation included test and progress details. Arnold reported that the district's average ACCESS (WIDA) score places students around level 3 on the 1–6 WIDA scale, described year‑to‑year testing participation, and summarized growth measures: 62 students were first‑time ACCESS test takers (counted as 100 percent progress for that administration), 134 students had taken ACCESS previously and 54 percent of that group met the state's progress target. Arnold cautioned the committee that state progress benchmarks vary by student grade, years in U.S. schools and starting level.

Arnold highlighted curriculum and schedule changes intended to raise outcomes, particularly at the high school. She said the high school has added targeted, co‑taught science and math classes and a "bridge" support class for near‑exit students, and credited those changes with higher measured progress at the high school: "I believe that is due to the fact that, in the past couple of years, the high school has created new classes, specific for student levels," Arnold said.

The committee discussed measurement details and equity considerations. Members asked how the district distinguishes progress from attainment and how cohort movement (students entering midyear) affects year‑to‑year percentages; Arnold said those factors make the numbers fluid and that staff track individual students with Student Success Plans when they miss progress targets.

Committee members and administrators also raised programming for students with dual needs. Arnold said the district is expanding coordination between EL and special‑education staff, including a practicum in which an EL teacher studies special education practice and a special‑education teacher pursues EL licensure to better serve dually identified students.

Votes at a glance

- International field trip to Athens and Greek islands (April 20–26, 2026): Motion to approve the trip "as presented" carried (voice vote). The trip organizer said he limits group size to roughly 36–40 students (sometimes up to 44), uses EF travel agency, requires a refundable $95 deposit to hold a spot, and described EF support staff and a tour director who accompanies the group. Mover/second not specified in the record; outcome: approved.

- Chesterton Academy of the Immaculata (private high school application): Committee voted to approve the school's application to operate as a private school in Ashland and directed staff to notify the state. Committee members and district administrators said the application met the statutory and local requirements reviewed. Mover/second not specified; outcome: approved.

- Policies and rescissions (first or final actions as noted in meeting): The committee voted to approve athletic concussion regulations (policy JJIF‑R), adopt an updated vision and mission statement (policy AD), rescind face‑coverings policy EBCFA, and approve updates to purchasing policy DJ (first reads for several related procurement policies were scheduled for later vote). Mover/second not specified; outcome: approved as presented.

- Consent agenda (gifts, grants, minutes): The consent agenda, amended to clarify a donation of girls' hockey jerseys, was approved by voice vote.

- Payables/warrant authorization: Paul Kendall reported payables of $679,279.29 for the period Nov. 14–Dec. 11, 2024 (general fund $230,166.20; revolving $440,095.22; grant $8,935.27; meals tax $82.60). Committee accepted the report.

- Executive session: The committee voted to enter executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(2) for strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non‑union personnel (superintendent) and collective bargaining; the committee took a roll‑call vote to enter executive session and did not plan to return to public session.

Why this matters

Arnold's report underscored that roughly a third of the district's students are multilingual learners and that the district is implementing targeted instructional models to help EL students access content. The approved travel program, private‑school application and policy updates are immediate operational items the district must manage while staff continue to work on FY‑26 budget planning and schedule adjustments that administrators said will affect EL programming.

What the district plans next

Administrators told the committee that a budget workshop is scheduled for Saturday (posted for 8 a.m.–noon in the David Mendez School music room) and that additional reviews of middle‑school scheduling, EL course placements and procurement policies are forthcoming.