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Superintendent says MCAS participation will continue; announces intent to retire and proposes communications coordinator
Summary
Superintendent Murphy told the Marlborough School Committee that students will still take MCAS tests despite a recent ballot question, announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2024–25 school year, and proposed an updated communications coordinator role to improve website accessibility and calendar alignment.
Superintendent Murphy told the Marlborough School Committee on Jan. 14 that Massachusetts students in grades 3–10 will continue to participate in MCAS testing. She said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education advised districts that federal and state law still require participation and that assessment participation will remain part of accountability determinations. Murphy noted MCAS scores will continue to qualify high‑school students for recognitions such as the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
Murphy also reviewed the district PreK–12 roadmap and described recent professional development centered on the "learning pit," a framework to promote productive struggle so students take a larger role in learning. She said staff worked in groups on problem‑solving activities and on lesson planning that moves instruction from passive teacher delivery to more active student work.
The superintendent presented a draft updated job description for a district communications coordinator tasked with improving website accessibility, aligning the district website, district app and social media, and coordinating calendar content so events push reliably to the app. Committee members discussed that technical back‑end work would remain with existing IT staff (referred to in the meeting as Mike), while the new coordinator would manage content, verification (for example, graduation name spelling and timing), and outreach. Members emphasized that correcting the district calendar and ensuring consistent messaging across platforms should be prioritized.
Murphy closed her report by announcing she has submitted her intent to retire to the school committee effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year. She thanked staff and the community for her years of service and reflected on beginning her career at Kane School 22 years ago.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the communications coordinator position at the Jan. 14 meeting; Murphy said a revised job description and timeline are included in the packet for future action.
