Hixson principal lays out MTSS-driven improvement plan, proposes MyPath and bell-schedule changes
Summary
Hixson Middle School Principal Dr. Shanita Mays told the Webster Groves board she will implement an MTSS framework with I Ready benchmarking, a pilot rollout of MyPath, and a hybrid block schedule that adds a 90-minute "win time" for interventions and enrichment; board members pressed for data, privacy and long-term funding details.
At a Webster Groves School District board meeting, Hixson Middle School Principal Dr. Shanita Mays presented a school-improvement plan centered on a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) intended to boost reading and math outcomes and strengthen school climate.
Mays said the school will use I Ready for universal screening and progress monitoring, assemble an MTSS team and create an MTSS handbook for staff. "We need to assemble an MTSS team, and we're working on that right now," she told the board. The work includes core instructional improvements, tiered interventions and expanded professional development for building-level teams.
Mays shared a fall benchmark snapshot showing on‑grade‑level scores that varied by domain and grade; she said the lowest figure she saw was 47% in one math domain, with other domains running into the mid‑60s. "The 47% is really is an outlier," she said, but added that the data demonstrate the school is "not there yet, and that's okay" as the school builds supports.
As a schoolwide strategy, Hixson is piloting I Ready MyPath as a tier‑1 instructional practice and plans to set aside regular time for students to work on assigned MyPath lessons in class. Mays described MyPath as adaptive: it assigns lessons based on benchmark results "tailored to their specific needs," and the district will tie in incentives to motivate students.
To create space for interventions and enrichment, Mays proposed a hybrid bell schedule with A/B/C rotation and block days. On block days the school would run a 90‑minute "win time" (broken into two sessions) using Infinite Campus' responsive scheduler so teachers can post intervention or enrichment sessions on four‑week cycles and request or accept students for those sessions.
Board members pressed Mays on details. One asked why some Panorama survey items were labeled "confidential;" a staffer explained Panorama suppresses small‑group results to protect student identities. Several trustees asked for evidence of year‑to‑year growth and how the district will track the impact of these changes. Mays said the school will use benchmark cycles in I Ready (and other assessments such as NWEA when available) to monitor growth and will provide additional benchmarking reports on request.
Funding and scale for MyPath also came up. A board member noted MyPath "is incredibly expensive" long‑term; district staff said the current use is a vendor pilot at no cost this year, and long‑term use would require a funding decision. Mays said the district could limit full MyPath implementation to students with the most significant needs if costs prevent universal rollout, while still using other MTSS strategies to address missing skills.
Mays also highlighted culture and climate work tied to MTSS: a "tip of the hat" award and small community groups (statesman time) to increase student belonging, expanded SEL supports, and a "care closet" concept to reduce barriers to participation. She said the school will trial a modified bell schedule in February before fully implementing in 2026–27.
No formal vote was taken on the Hixson plan; it was presented for board information and follow‑up. Mays said the school will continue to bring data and implementation details back to the board as the MTSS team and handbook are developed.
