Westbury superintendent unveils 2026–30 strategic plan, promises public 'Fire Watchtower' dashboard

Superintendent Dr. Chase presented the Westbury Union Free School District’s strategic plan on June 16, describing a community‑led process that collected 445 responses through ThoughtExchange and saying 65% of respondents were students. ‘‘Our mission is to inspire bold thinkers and resilient leaders,’’ Dr. Chase said, summarizing the plan’s aim to pair rigorous academics with character and future‑ready skills.

The plan, titled Charting Our Course 2026–2030 and beyond, is built around the FIRE framework—Future pathways, Inclusive collaboration, Resilience and wellness, and Exploration and academic curiosity—and six strategic priorities: strengthen academic achievement; fortify supportive, inclusive and safe schools; deepen community engagement and partnerships; celebrate and invest in staff leadership and professional growth; design future‑forward facilities; and ensure financial stability aligned with scholar success. ‘‘We built this from the ground up—our scholars, our families, our staff and our community breathed life into this work,’’ Dr. Chase said.

Presenters highlighted measurable targets the district intends to publish on a public progress portal the administration calls the Fire Watchtower. The district identified sample benchmarks it will report publicly, including a targeted 25% reduction in behavioral referrals and a 40% increase in family‑engagement participation; the plan also calls for expanded IB, CTE and STEM pathways, districtwide HVAC compliance and more up‑to‑date learning spaces.

Retired superintendent Lorna Lewis, who led much of the advisory work, told the board the plan ‘‘was born of Westbury’’ and praised broad participation from teachers, families, clergy and community members. Committee members and parents described using the ThoughtExchange platform to broaden outreach beyond those who typically attend meetings and said the Fire Watchtower will allow families to view real‑time progress rather than wait for an annual report.

Dr. Chase tied the plan to the New York State Portrait of a Graduate initiative and asked the board to consider approving the plan at the board’s July meeting. She said the district will use the Watchtower for ongoing accountability: ‘‘By publicly reporting key benchmarks, we are making a commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement,’’ she said.

Investigation update included in superintendent’s report

In the same report, Dr. Chase addressed allegations raised publicly at a May 12 board meeting about interactions between contracted Arrow Security personnel and female students. She said the district opened a comprehensive investigation on May 13 and that Arrow Security cooperated and conducted an independent review.

‘‘As of today, June 16, not a single parent, not a single student, not a single staff member, administrator, nor community member has come forward with information that substantiates those allegations,’’ Dr. Chase said. She added that the district did receive one complaint about a security guard’s alleged verbal tone; that matter produced written statements, corrective actions and follow‑up with parents. During the investigative period one Arrow Security guard voluntarily resigned, she said. Dr. Chase said the district has provided de‑escalation and professional conduct training to contracted and district‑employed security staff and that the investigation remains open should anyone provide credible, firsthand information.

Why the plan matters

District leaders said the plan aligns academic goals and facilities work with measurable indicators and a public monitoring tool intended to hold the district accountable to families. Presenters emphasized both raising achievement and improving student wellness, and several parents and staff said they welcomed the plan’s transparency commitments.

What’s next

Superintendent Dr. Chase asked the board to vote on the strategic plan at its July meeting. The district said the Fire Watchtower and the strategic plan booklet will be available on the district website in multiple languages when finalized.