State monitoring finds mostly implemented practices in Middleborough but requires fixes on special education and civil‑rights paperwork

District directors reviewed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Tiered Focus Monitoring findings at the Jan. 9 meeting and outlined required corrective actions.

Jennifer Healey, director of special education, said the review covered a multi‑year cycle; most criteria were judged implemented, but the state identified partial implementation in two special‑education indicators (including documentation for team member excusals and services for suspended special‑education students) and two civil‑rights indicators (including notification and services for students facing suspension and EL program placement/teacher licensure issues). "We didn't have anything come up as not implemented," Healey said, but she added the state asked for improved documentation and updated procedures.

The district must complete a root‑cause analysis and update procedures by Jan. 24, provide staff training by March 7, and submit evidence for a state review on April 11, according to presenters. Specific fixes include: written guardian excusal documentation for IEP team absences, clearer suspension‑related services and documentation for students with disabilities, strengthened internal monitoring, and filling an EL teacher vacancy at the high‑school level (district reported the EL finding was removed two weeks prior after hiring steps and posted positions).

Directors emphasized the monitoring process as an opportunity for improvement: they noted positive ‘‘glow’’ areas such as early‑childhood family outreach, transition services for post‑secondary students and the district’s timeout‑space practices. The committee received the update and asked questions about progress deadlines and internal monitoring timelines.

District staff said they will submit the first progress report as required and work to show full compliance within one year of the final report.