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Bellevue board previews 2026—27 annual plan; directors debate emphasis on "beloved community"
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Aramaki and district staff previewed the draft 2026—27 annual plan, proposing future-ready goals for high schools, elevating special education systemically and keeping "beloved community" as a district-wide foundation goal. Board members pressed for clarity on measurable targets and whether belonging should be a focus goal.
Bellevue School District Superintendent Dr. Aramaki on April 2 previewed the district's draft 2026—27 annual plan, describing 10 key points that include elevating a "future ready" index for high schools, creating an edtech advisory, and designating special education as a sustainable, systemwide foundation goal.
The draft keeps "beloved community" as a foundation goal rather than a single-year focus, Dr. Aramaki told the board, and folds chronic absenteeism into the future-ready work. Melanie McGee, director of strategic initiatives, said the plan narrows priorities so schools can sequence improvement work and build school improvement plans from the district focus.
Board members asked technical and policy questions in two rounds of discussion. Director Tracy Mlin sought clarity about IMT3 math instruction at eighth grade and emphasized that the course aligns with grade-level standards, not remediation. Dr. Kansky and other directors pressed how the district will balance investments between Tier 1 (whole-class instruction) and Tier 2 (targeted intervention) supports, particularly for math at secondary levels.
Several directors urged stronger, measurable commitments for student belonging. "Sense of belonging is not optional," one director said, arguing the district should treat belonging as a nonnegotiable priority across every building. District staff responded that foundation goals are required districtwide and that schools will select focus goals and implement equity imperatives through three-year school improvement plans.
McGee said staff added a new appendix of data tables showing baselines and stretch goals so the board and community could see where targets start and what progress would look like. The administration asked the board to approve the plan at its April 16 meeting so schools could draft school improvement plans before summer.
The presentation did not produce any formal votes tonight; the board will revisit the plan for action at a later meeting.
