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Superintendent: District clears state audit; several schools earn state and national recognitions
Summary
Superintendent Dr. O'Fallon told the board that the district exceeded the state's 80% threshold in all five audited CUSAC areas, listing instruction (83%), fiscal management (96%), governance (100%), operations (98%) and personnel (92%). He also announced multiple school recognitions and plans for a homework committee and strategic‑plan revisions.
MIDDLETOWN — Superintendent Dr. O'Fallon reported to the board that the district received strong results in its latest state audit, saying the district scored above the required 80% in every audited area.
"Instruction and program, we had an 83%. Fiscal management, 96%. Governance, 100%. Operations, 98%. And personnel, 92%," Dr. O'Fallon said, noting the results are posted on the district website.
The audit, described by the superintendent as the CUSAC three‑year review of instruction, fiscal management, governance, operations and personnel, combines submitted evidence with an on‑site visit by county representatives. Dr. O'Fallon said some weight in the instruction score derives from state test results, which the district does not fully control.
The superintendent also announced that several district schools earned recognition by U.S. News & World Report. "These schools will get the honor of displaying a banner and a plaque in their school and also getting to use the insignia in their communications," he said, listing elementary schools Nut Swamp, Lincroft, Fairview, Middletown Village, River Plaza and Navisank, the district's Thompson Middle School, and both Middletown High School North and Middletown High School South among those recognized.
Dr. O'Fallon highlighted recent district events and initiatives, including a guest assembly by Tim Rower focused on autism inclusion, a short-term exchange program with a school in Spain, and ongoing strategic planning. "The goal of this session was to analyze our current mission, value, and belief statements and make adjustments and recommendations for revisions moving forward," he said, adding that the administration will share draft mission and belief statements with stakeholders in December and reconvene strategic planning in January.
On homework, Dr. O'Fallon said discussions with student groups revealed inconsistency across grade levels. He proposed forming a homework committee of district staff and parents to develop a consistent philosophy and guidance on assignment expectations and transitions between elementary, middle and high school. "One thing is for certain, it's not consistent," he said. "We need to do a better job in consistency and certainly in the transitions between elementary to middle and then middle to high school." He said a policy committee review will follow once the committee provides recommendations.
The superintendent also reminded parents that elementary parent‑teacher conferences will be scheduled through the parent portal in early December, with night conferences at the elementary level set for Jan. 22.
The report closed with seasonal thanks: Dr. O'Fallon offered holiday wishes and gratitude to the school community.
