District staff report year‑one progress on Garrett County Public Schools strategic plan

Dr. Miller presented a year‑one progress report on the Garrett County Public Schools strategic plan, which the board approved last year. The plan has three overarching priorities: staffing (recruit and retain high‑quality staff), high‑quality instruction, and partnerships between schools, families and community organizations.

On staffing, the district reported an increase to 10% national board certified teachers (a 4.3 percentage‑point increase) with 50 active candidates in the certification pipeline and 33 teachers already certified; the substitute fill rate was 83% with a three‑year goal of 88%; and a three‑year teacher retention goal was established at 94.96%. The district noted differences in retention calculations between its internal method and the AIB/MSDE methodology and said AIB’s public dashboard will appear in December.

Dr. Miller previewed a 1+1 teacher pathway with Garrett College that will allow students to begin college coursework in their senior year and complete an associate degree in two years post‑graduation. Under instruction, the district reported gains in ELA and math indicators and a 7.7% increase in professional learning activity—part of a 10% three‑year target. The district also noted successful competitive grants to support reading instruction and expanded CCR attainment by two percentage points toward the three‑year goal. Priority three highlights included the culinary arts program at Northern High (62 introductory students and 22 in foundations), the return of driver’s education through a state grant and increases in student participation in AP testing and career pathways.

Dr. Miller said the district is seeing progress across the plan but acknowledged continued work is needed in years two and three to meet all targets.