Superintendent announces Washington University PRIME partnership and a phase‑1 senior leadership restructure

Superintendent Dr. Fields used the board meeting to outline a strategic initiative called 'Ferg Floor Forward', highlight a new partnership with Washington University School of Medicine and describe a proposed phase‑1 senior leadership restructuring intended to align the district with DESE guidance and reduce costs.

Fields said PRIME, a partnership with Washington University School of Medicine and Integrated Health, will offer students paid workforce development opportunities, including four‑week summer internships and clinical career exposure. The superintendent said about 10 students are expected to be part of the first cohort and that internship travel costs (for example, gas) will be supported.

As part of the district’s fiscal response, Fields described a phase‑1 restructuring of senior leadership that would move the district from nine senior‑level administrators to seven by the 2027‑28 school year to better align with DESE MSIP‑6 recommendations for districts of comparable size. Duties and reporting lines would shift (for example, operations functions would move to a chief of staff, technology would align under Curriculum and Instruction, and communications would report directly to the superintendent). Fields said the intent is to protect student‑facing supports while modernizing senior leadership.

Board members thanked administration for transparency. Members asked about implementation barriers; Fields said the immediate implementation risk for phase 1 is "relatively low," while acknowledging any system change presents challenges and promising follow‑up with data and legal review. Phase‑2 decisions and department‑level reviews were scheduled to continue with further board discussion at future meetings.