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Maynard committee sees signs of growth in tests but flags achievement gaps; forwards $25.6M budget request
Summary
The Maynard School Committee reviewed MAP/MCAST results showing modest growth but continued achievement shortfalls, heard plans for targeted interventions and consultant support, and voted to forward a FY28 budget request (presentation listed $25,575,000) to the town for consideration.
The Maynard School Committee on Tuesday reviewed a district data report showing student growth in several grades even as overall achievement remained below state targets, and voted to forward the administration’s FY28 budget request to the town.
Diana Le, director of curriculum, told the committee that state accountability calculations—weighted 60% for 2025 and 40% for 2024—left the district with an accountability percentage cited in the presentation as 23% for 2025. Le and other presenters said growth metrics are more encouraging: 10th‑grade student growth percentiles were above the state target range, and several grade bands showed growth in the mid‑40s to 50s. "Where growth goes, achievement will follow," Le said, adding that the district is focusing on collaborative planning, targeted professional development and in‑the‑moment coaching to convert growth into higher achievement.
Committee members and school leaders spent substantial time on math results and curriculum sequencing. Presenters said MAP math growth included encouraging signals in some grades but that specific strands—subtraction, fractions and select algebra concepts—are lagging. The administration has brought in math consultants to work with grade‑level teams and cited plans to refine core instruction, expand collaborative unit planning and use consultants to provide immediate coaching in classrooms.
Several members raised concerns about students who arrive in higher grades with foundational gaps. The administration said interventions at middle and high school are more difficult to schedule and implement than early‑grade supports, but that the district is exploring schedule changes and targeted intervention roles at the high school.
The presentation also covered English‑learner family outreach, noting use of Reach My Teach for translated communications, a Dec. 9 parents' session being translated and posted, and an 181 grant supporting EL curriculum work.
Budget and staffing were discussed after the data review. The administration’s slide deck listed a proposed FY28 total of $25,575,000 and identified priorities that include bus service, interventionists, reinstated grade‑level teachers, and an athletic trainer. A committee member moved to forward the administrative budget recommendation to the town; the transcript records the motion and records "All in favor," after which the meeting proceeded to other business. The presentation materials team agreed to add a percent‑over‑prior‑year figure and to note the teacher contract percent in follow‑up materials.
The committee also accepted warrants numbered 2635 and 2636 without objection before adjourning. The meeting minutes show follow‑up actions: administration to add the requested budget clarifications to the materials, continue consultant work, and report back on intervention implementation and scheduling options.
What’s next: administration said it will submit the proposed number to the town manager and may refine the request after town review; the committee scheduled a mid‑year superintendent evaluation at the next meeting.
