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Pembroke administrators outline FY27 teaching and learning priorities, ask to restore positions and pilot digital literacy
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Summary
District presenters described academic gains (high AP participation and biliteracy), outlined FY27 grant applications and curriculum updates, and asked the committee to consider restoring middle‑school positions, expanding math interventionists, and piloting an elementary digital literacy or world‑language specialist.
Administrators presented the teaching and learning department’s fiscal year 2027 priorities and budget requests at the March 31 Pembroke School Committee meeting, citing strong AP participation and several instructional initiatives while asking the committee to consider targeted staffing and curriculum investments.
The presenter (teaching & learning) listed curricular accomplishments: 72% of seniors took at least one AP exam and 60% scored a 3 or higher; 33 students are slated for internships and several new courses and pathways were approved. The district is reviewing K–2 reading programs (Lexia, iReady, DIBELS, UFLY) and plans additional review for grade 3. Administrators noted they applied for an ‘innovation career pathway’ designation (decision expected in April) that would make the district eligible for further state grants.
Budget asks included restoring two FTEs cut at Pembroke Community Middle School (science and social studies) to reduce average class sizes (reported around 26–27), maintaining or expanding a math interventionist position (currently shared among three elementary schools), and piloting a digital literacy specialist at the elementary level or an elementary world‑language exposure program. The presenter framed the digital literacy role as a specialist rotation similar to music or art that could cover keyboarding, online safety, coding fundamentals and library integration; attendees debated whether upper elementary or middle school would be the appropriate starting point.
Curriculum items: the district is considering replacing older U.S. history texts and awaits UFLY’s grade‑3 product release before committing to a reading program for grade 3. The presenter said some materials are grant‑eligible and that an existing $100,000 capital allocation for curriculum may offset initial costs for certain items.
Next steps: administrators will return with level‑1 budget materials at the April meeting; committee members asked to prioritize one or two initial staffing requests so the administration can present more detailed cost estimates.
