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West Seneca presents DCIP update; proposes two AIS hires and one-time targeted spending of slightly more than $200,000
Summary
District staff presented the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP), explained designations for Northwood and West Middle, and proposed using a one-time allocation ("a little over $200,000") to fund two additional AIS teachers at West Middle, targeted professional development and substitutes to support implementation.
Nora O’Brien, presenting the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP), reviewed the state accountability framework (Every Student Succeeds Act) that underpins the district plan and explained why two schools were previously identified for targeted support.
O’Brien said Northwood Elementary’s status improved from Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) to Local Support and Improvement (LSI) and no longer requires a school-level SSIP plan. West Middle remains TSI and will spend a mandated continuous improvement year under state rules; the district is using that designation to qualify for a one-time DCIP funding allocation.
O’Brien told the board the district received "a little over $200,000" in one-time funds tied to the DCIP designation. She reviewed allowable uses under state guidance—targeted interventions and academic support, high-quality professional development, integrated student supports and family engagement, and instructional materials/technology—and said the DCIP committee recommended three primary uses: hire two additional AIS (Academic Intervention Services) teachers at West Middle (one math, one ELA) to support identified subgroups; invest in PD around data, curriculum and assessment alignment; and use funds to offset substitute costs so teachers can be released for collaboration.
Board members asked whether the math and ELA positions are new or continuing. O’Brien said the math position had existed the prior year and was continued with TSI funds; the ELA position is an additional, one-year-funded role. She emphasized that state guidance prohibits supplanting existing positions and that the DCIP money must supplement, not replace, ongoing staffing.
On metrics, O’Brien said the district uses multiple data sources—MTSS data, common formative and summative assessments, I-Ready and IXL benchmarks administered three times per year, and state assessments—to track student growth and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. She acknowledged that opt-outs can skew small subgroup data and said the district will work to build parent understanding of assessments so participation and data quality improve.
The board asked for numbers of students who will receive AIS supports; O’Brien said exact counts will be determined after the universal screener in early September and that staffing use will be driven by student need (tier 3 focus with some tier 2 supports and occasional push-in to classrooms).
