Lenox School Committee hears district school improvement update; student advisory presents quarter recap

The Lenox School Committee received updates on district and Morris school improvement plans and a Student Advisory Committee quarter‑end report, and approved routine business including a $2,500 scholarship donation.

Dr. Ames, introduced earlier in the meeting as the presenter for the superintendent’s report, outlined five district goals: expanding student leadership and voice, reducing chronic absenteeism, implementing a middle‑school intervention model, strengthening belonging through restorative practices, and aligning educator evaluation. "I'm here to speak about progress on our school improvement plan, specifically the five goals that we laid out," the presenter said, summarizing the district's priorities and progress.

The presenter provided attendance metrics for grades 6–12, saying overall attendance rates have improved to roughly 92–94 percent and that reported high‑school chronic absenteeism declined from about 19.5 percent to 11.1 percent in the latest DESE reporting window the district referenced. The presenter noted that middle‑school chronic absenteeism had not fallen and that the district is monitoring period‑level attendance (first and second periods) as a particular concern. Officials described a credit‑recovery policy tied to attendance thresholds: students who miss more than 10 percent of scheduled days may be required to complete recovery work before receiving credit.

Speakers credited targeted academic supports for recent gains. The district singled out middle‑school interventionists and named Brenda Kelly for leading intervention efforts; officials said only raw 10th‑grade ELA MCAS data were available at the time of the meeting but expressed optimism about year‑end results. On school climate, presenters highlighted expanded GSA and Latinx programming and said restorative practices led by Mr. House helped reduce suspensions districtwide (suspensions reported down from 21 to 2 over a multi‑year window and suspension days from 47.5 to 3 days, figures described as two‑year metrics).

Assistant Principal Soles and Morris School staff presented priorities at the elementary level: a shared instructional model and expanded PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports) with tier‑two and tier‑three interventions. "Our tier two/three team met weekly to review behavioral and attendance data and to create targeted plans," Soles said, and staff noted that Morris was recognized with a gold‑level PBIS distinction at a national convention.

Student leaders also addressed the committee. Libby Gott, identified as the Student Advisory Committee vice chair, gave a quarter‑four recap: SAC elections returned the same five representatives, the Lenox Dispatch newspaper produced back‑to‑back eight‑page issues, the girls varsity rowing team recorded key wins, and seniors and underclass activities were highlighted. Student presenters described a 10th‑grade trip to Boston and other extracurricular achievements.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved acceptance of the May 18, 2026 meeting minutes (motion carried with one abstention), voted to accept a $2,500 scholarship donation from "Emma BMW Audi VW of Nashua" (voice vote in favor), approved a motion to enter executive session under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A Section 21A/7 (roll‑call vote recorded), and later accepted multiple released executive‑session minutes listed in the motion. The meeting adjourned after the executive session items were addressed.

Committee members asked several clarifying questions about attendance counting, tardiness policies and how suspension reductions were measured; a student, Beckett, asked whether the suspension figures represented totals for the year and was answered that the numbers given were totals across the reported period. Several members recommended that a recent student presentation on the use of AI be discussed by the technology subcommittee rather than converted immediately into district policy.

The district did not provide final DESE‑published absenteeism counts at the meeting and said some figures quoted were based on internal pulls through June 1; officials said they will compare to DESE final counts when published. Several community partnerships and fundraising results were noted: a $2,500 business scholarship gift, a Puddle Jumper 5K that raised more than $3,000 with 82 participants, and ongoing community support for senior events. The committee signaled continued focus on attendance and intervention work and returned the matter to staff for follow‑up and data tracking.