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Carlisle Area SD outlines year‑one progress on three‑year comprehensive plan
Summary
District leaders told the board they completed year 1 of a three‑year comprehensive plan, highlighting curriculum revisions, K–8 reconfiguration planning, new safety and counseling partnerships, and a pause on large‑scale paid tutoring because of cost.
Carlisle Area School District administrators on Thursday briefed the board and committee members on year‑one progress under a three‑year comprehensive plan and laid out priorities for the next two years.
Colleen Fred, who opened the update, said the district posted the full plan and a two‑page progress tracker to Agenda Manager and the district website and asked that “all decision making should reflect this work.” Dr. Gojoy, the presentation partner, walked members through five priority areas: K–8 transition, educational program excellence and innovation, promoting health and wellness, cultivating culture and climate, and strengthening systems and structures.
The administration credited several concrete steps taken in year one. They cited integration of a science program across K–12, a structured literacy pilot, a revised grades 7–12 ELA program and more than 25 course changes. “We enrolled about 13 to 15 students over the course of the year in two introductory [CTE] courses,” Dr. Gojoy said, noting the district will evaluate whether to expand the pathway.
Officials also described operational work tied to the K–8 reconfiguration: leadership announcements for new buildings, scheduling and programming work done at a recent retreat, and plans to merge several PTOs to support transitions at Mount Holly, North Dickinson, La Torte and Moreland elementary schools.
On student supports, administrators said they revised and submitted the Chapter 339 counseling plan and plan to remove counselors from the formal specials rotation so counselors have more time with students and families. The district has entered a consortium agreement with a vendor called Cartwheel for telehealth counseling referrals to replace the prior vendor, Care Solace.
Technology and equity steps included piloting translation devices and AI software for English‑language learner family communications—“we have over 50 languages spoken in the school district,” Dr. Gojoy said—and deeper district technology audits that will inform device decisions for each grade band.
Budget realities shaped program choices. Administrators said they eliminated the elementary summer learning program because of budget constraints and paused plans for a large‑scale paid tutoring expansion after estimating the cost of multi‑hour daily programs would be significant; routine after‑school homework help and study halls remain in place. The district reported its 2024–25 graduation rate rose slightly above 90 percent.
Board members asked for clearer, numeric progress markers on the one‑page tracker. “Could we have a percentage? Is it 5% or is it 95%?” asked Board member Steve, and administrators replied they would rework the summary to show percentage estimates where feasible while noting some goals are ongoing and not amenable to a 0–100% completion metric.
Administrators emphasized next steps: more detailed board presentations and, where required, items returning for formal approval in coming meetings. The committee concluded with plans to bring revised policies and curriculum items to the full board in the next two weeks.
