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Interim chief academic officer summarizes June and July leadership summits and priorities for 2026–27
Summary
Dr. Jennifer Thomason told the board the June and July leadership summits focused on three transformational strands—teaching & learning; culture, systems & structures; and partnerships—and included sessions on literacy, AI, special education, wellness and operational topics to prepare school leaders for the new year.
Dr. Jennifer Thomason, interim chief academic officer, told the board the June and July leadership summits were structured around three transformational strands—transforming teaching and learning; transforming culture, systems and structures; and transforming partnerships—designed to align administrators with the superintendent’s five‑year strategic priorities.
Thomason said the June sessions emphasized reflection on the 2025–26 year and collaborative unconference sessions, while July focused on turning learning into action with sessions on school climate, discipline reporting, PowerSchool enhancements, digital accessibility, restraint and seclusion expectations, literacy, artificial intelligence, finance, wellness, and special education. "These summits represent much more than professional development," she said, adding the work was meant to ensure leaders "enter the new school year not simply informed, but aligned, equipped, and inspired to lead."
Board members praised the sessions and asked about measurable indicators and review cadence for certain policies; Thomason said the division uses data from administrators and that session choices were informed by needs identified during June. A board member asked that the new artificial-intelligence policy receive annual review and suggested reapproval by the board given rapid change in AI.
