State commissioner to renew Southbridge turnaround plan for up to three years; committee seeks clear exit path
Summary
Chair announced Commissioner Pedro Martinez plans to renew the district's turnaround plan for up to three years; committee members said they remain committed to meeting DESE expectations and working toward leaving receivership, emphasizing continued collaboration with DESE and MASC.
Chairwoman (name not specified) told the School Committee on Nov. 18 that Commissioner Pedro Martinez sent a letter saying he intends to renew Southbridge's current turnaround plan "for up to another 3 years." Committee members expressed concern and said their ongoing goal is to exit receivership.
The chair described recent meetings with the commissioner, the superintendent and MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees) and said the committee will continue to collaborate on concrete action items. "Even though the turnaround plan is for 3 years, it doesn't necessarily mean we're gonna be in receivership for another 3 years," the chair said, adding that committee work with the superintendent, DESE representatives and town councilors will continue.
Members requested more direct answers from the commissioner and suggested the full committee meet with him in the future. Vice Chair Carla Dela Cruz Davila and other members emphasized capacity building through training and follow-up with the superintendent and DESE staff.
Next steps: the committee said it will keep working on the action items cited in its turnaround plan, pursue trainings through MASC and pursue a future full-committee meeting with the commissioner. The chair asked members to funnel questions through the chair before the Dec. 1 agenda-setting meeting so staff can prepare further information for the Dec. 9 meeting.
