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Superintendent Gatto highlights course realignment, kindergarten paraprofessional success and student arts recognition
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Gatto reported on course and pathway alignment at Westminster High School, described early-literacy gains after placing instructional paraprofessionals in kindergarten (Dibble scores up from 43% to 61%), and celebrated student arts achievements and community partnerships.
Dr. Gatto told the board that a yearlong review of courses and pathways at Westminster High School found opportunities to better align offerings with student requests and regional labor-market needs; the district will implement a strategic realignment of select courses and pathways beginning in the upcoming academic year.
He highlighted a kindergarten initiative that placed instructional paraprofessionals in every kindergarten classroom in partnership with Scoot Education. Dr. Gatto said the district's kindergarten Dibble benchmark scores rose from 43% at or above benchmark in the fall to 61% by mid-year after the intervention, and that the administration plans to continue and expand that support for 2026'27, including rolling some support into level-one first grade classrooms in Title I schools.
Gatto also noted district arts successes: partnerships to exhibit student artwork at the Fusebox Container Art Gallery, continued student placements in the national Congressional Art Competition and the district's Celebrating Artistic & Innovative Excellence showcase, which drew 230 student participants. He closed by thanking staff and community partners for opportunities that connected classroom work to public venues.
Context and next steps: Dr. Gatto said students currently enrolled will be supported through program transitions, and the district will expand access to high-quality pathways tied to workforce relevance. The superintendent concluded by noting upcoming community events and encouraging continued stakeholder engagement.
