Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent highlights literacy gains, MTSS and operations in Darien year‑end review
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Burn and staff reviewed progress on the district's 2026–2031 strategic plan, science‑of‑reading literacy implementation, MTSS and data systems, Seal of Biliteracy results (46% of seniors), special‑education initiatives and operational accomplishments including negotiations and new propane buses.
During the June 23 Darien School District Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Burn and district staff presented a year‑end review that outlined curriculum, special education, operations and human resources accomplishments as the district prepares for the 2026–2031 strategic plan.
Dr. Burn reflected on relationship building across the district, administrative retreats for strategic planning and a focus on allowing the board to govern while administration handles operations. He announced the 2026–2031 strategic plan will be presented to the board in July and confirmed summer school and ESY dates.
Amy, speaking for teaching and learning, summarized literacy work: K–3 implementation of a new resource grounded in the science of reading, a planned grades 4–5 writing pilot, hiring literacy coaches and use of a universal screener (Ames Webb) with improved parent reporting. Amy also described an Edge Climber data dashboard to enable earlier intervention and stronger MTSS implementation.
The presentation noted that 46% of the district's seniors earned a Seal of Biliteracy across 11 languages; the district reported multiple students with proficiency in three languages. Amy said the district will provide a language‑by‑language breakout to the board.
Shirley outlined special‑education initiatives: aligning special education with general education access, piloting PAR educator guidance worksheets to collect data on support and independence, expanding PRIME grant work in elementary schools and scheduling OG training cohorts through 2028 to build staff capacity.
On operations, Marge said the district successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements, is transitioning toward a self‑insurance model, completed HHR projects and is introducing five propane buses while expanding special‑education transportation. Human resources reported an in‑house job fair with ~20 participants and ongoing disciplinary matters handled with outside counsel.
Board members asked detailed follow‑up questions about co‑teaching, the Teachers College partnership, publication details from high‑school teachers and how the district will staff and monitor literacy coaches; presenters committed to returning with more detailed reports and named contacts for follow‑up.
The presentation closed with a note that board learning walks and parent university events are planned for the coming year as the district moves from planning to implementation.
