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Principals outline MTSS rollout, new IEP process, advisory programs and added SROs
Summary
Hoosac Valley principals and the director of student services described a district push for instructional improvement — MTSS professional development, a new IEP format emphasizing student voice, expanded advisory and crew structures, and the addition of SROs — and reported early positive feedback from families.
Hoosac Valley Regional School District leaders told the school committee Sept. 23 they are emphasizing instructional improvement and student supports this year, including expanded MTSS professional development, a new IEP format designed to center student voice, broader use of advisory programs and the addition of school resource officers at two buildings.
Kristen Palatt, curriculum director, described district-level work to embed MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) across Tier 1–3, including consultant-led staff presentations and a district instructional "playbook" that standardizes common planning. Palatt said the district is focusing on making students’ thinking visible through Instruction Rounds and increasing rigor and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Monica Zanin, director of student services, described a redesigned IEP process intended to break down barriers between special and general education and to ensure a student voice at meetings when possible, noting that parents reported positive feedback on the new approach. Building principals said they have created consistent ACE/RISE/RESET spaces for academic, behavior and SEL supports and reintroduced "Crew" groupings to build relationships; principals reported strong early buy-in from students and staff.
Principals also said the district will use applied-learning grants and other resources to support programming, and noted that 5th graders will have three Ramblewild/Nature’s Classroom experiences this year. The committee did not take further action on instructional plans at the meeting; members expressed appreciation for the work and asked that the improvement handbook be posted on the district website.
