Wethersfield superintendent presents entry report with reading, algebra and career-readiness targets

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — The superintendent presented an entry report to the Wethersfield Board of Education on Jan. 27, laying out initial findings from interviews, classroom visits and a community survey and setting three measurable student benchmarks.

"The state of Wethersfield Public Schools is positive and ascending quickly," the superintendent said in his overview of the report, which he said was grounded in conversations with parents, staff, students and community partners. He described an engagement effort that included a community survey with 266 respondents and roughly 364 stakeholders met through interviews and focus groups.

The report identified four broad themes: student achievement trends; program effectiveness; staffing and role confusion across systems; and facility and resource needs. The superintendent said strengthening coherence among scheduling, staffing and instructional supports is critical. "Without unified direction, we've seen inefficiencies and inequities," he said.

The superintendent framed three student-focused benchmarks to guide district strategy: 1) 100% of students reading at grade level by fourth grade; 2) 100% of students successfully achieving credit in Algebra I by eighth grade; and 3) 100% of students engaging in career and college readiness experiences. He described those goals as aspirational guideposts and said they will inform staffing, professional learning and curriculum decisions.

Board members praised the report for its scope and clarity. One member said the document provides "a roadmap, a cohesive plan" and welcomed the emphasis on role clarity and communication. The superintendent told the board he planned a follow-up presentation at the February workshop focused on Appendix A and specific recommendations.

Next steps outlined in the meeting included further verification with staff, refining findings in the teaching-and-learning section and aligning initial strategic priorities with budget planning. The superintendent said the entry report is a milestone, not an endpoint, and invited ongoing feedback from the board and community.