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Hoosac Valley reports enrollment increase and large jump in accountability measures; committee emphasizes need to close achievement gaps
Summary
Superintendent Aaron Dean reported Oct. 1 enrollment of 1,006 students (up from 985) and presented accountability highlights showing overall accountability points rising from 13% in 2023 to 58% in 2024; committee members noted achievement levels remain low in some academic metrics and urged SIP strategies tied to measurable gains.
Superintendent Aaron Dean and district staff told the School Committee on Oct. 21 that district enrollment rose to 1,006 students on Oct. 1, up from 985 the previous year, and presented accountability results and MCAS highlights for the 2023–24 school year.
Kristen Palatt summarized the district improvement plan and selected accountability measures. She reported strong gains in growth and school-culture measures: high school attendance (earned 4 out of 4 points), positive and supportive school culture (11 out of 12 points, up from 2), and science results for certain grades. Palatt said the district’s overall accountability metric increased substantially, from 13% in 2023 to 58% in 2024.
Committee member Mike Henault acknowledged the progress but cautioned that achievement metrics still trail state comparisons: "We're still in the teens with our accountability percentile," he said, and asked that the SIP explicitly link strategies to achievement gains and include measurable indicators. Palatt described targeted work for students with disabilities and noted a math curriculum pilot following the DESE implementation process, with teacher training conducted over the summer.
The committee requested the SIP and curriculum-pilot details emphasize how identified strategies will move student achievement metrics so trustees and towns can see the connection between investment and expected outcomes.
