Rye superintendent lays out entry plan focused on academics, SEL and long‑term facilities planning

Dr. Murray, the district superintendent, told the Rye City School District Board of Education on Jan. 27 that his entry plan will guide a transition into the superintendency by deepening his knowledge of district culture and priorities. "I created this entry plan shortly after my appointment," he said, and described it as the lens through which he will align work to the district strategic plan.

The plan is organized around three priority areas: student‑centered teaching and learning; operational and financial sustainability; and governance, community and public relations. Dr. Murray said interviews, surveys and community meetings produced four recurring themes: staff and people as the district’s greatest strength, a supportive community, momentum on existing initiatives, and a definition of student success centered on life readiness.

On instruction, Dr. Murray said the district is expanding course options and instructional strategies that emphasize critical thinking, collaboration and creative problem solving while balancing social‑emotional learning (SEL). "We want to push our students at all levels," he said, "and balance that with social emotional development and student well‑being." He reviewed work already underway, including multi‑year implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program alongside Advanced Placement offerings, the design of authentic, project‑based learning and the integration of AI as a tool for research and idea development.

Board members asked how professional development will support the curriculum changes. Dr. Murray said the district ties teaching strategies to professional learning, noting two instructional‑technology coaches and prior conference‑day training that prepared teachers to deliver project‑based work.

On operations and finances, Dr. Murray said the district must increase efficiency, complete work left from a previous large bond and build a long‑term facilities plan. He described a budget‑to‑actual reporting process for each building and department, staffing‑expenditure metrics for monitoring, and a Wi‑Fi/infrastructure budget informed by a recent survey.

Dr. Murray said improved communications are a third priority. He reported administering a community communication survey, introducing monthly principal communications across five schools, increasing strategic social‑media outreach and hosting seven community coffees to gather local feedback. He plans another community survey later this year to measure change.

Looking ahead, Dr. Murray listed immediate next steps: grow IB enrollment and course offerings in response to student interest, implement interdisciplinary electives at the high‑school level, continue SEL work across grades and create learning spaces that support innovation. He said the district will incorporate facilities needs into a five‑year fiscally responsible plan and present more detailed budgeting on Feb. 10.

The presentation concluded with board members commending the plan’s organization and urging close alignment between academic ambitions and fiscal planning. The board did not take a formal vote on the entry plan itself; Dr. Murray said further details will be shared as plans mature.