Superintendent Jim updated the school committee on Oct. 1 about efforts to improve school climate and attendance, new initiatives to reduce suspensions, plans to apply for a Career Technical Education (CBTE) grant to expand the construction program, and a fall schedule to revise the district admissions policy to comply with recent state requirements.

The district convened its first Instructional Leadership Team meeting to focus on belonging and reviewed baseline suspension data, attendance and student survey ("vocal") results. The superintendent described a multi-month timeline: October — set goals; November — restorative-practices staff training; December — leaders share case studies; January — district leaders present at faculty meetings; February–April — targeted coaching and midyear checks; May–June — data analysis and reporting at the all-admin retreat in August. "Our goal for the year will be to reduce suspensions, develop stronger relationships at the building level, and provide a deeper sense of belonging," the superintendent said.

The superintendent reported district gains on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) released Monday and attributed part of the improvement to higher attendance and reduced chronic absenteeism. District attendance rose from 92.3% to 92.5% and chronic absenteeism dropped from 23.3% to 21.3%. The district identified schools that exceeded attendance goals and those meeting chronic-absenteeism targets.

The administration said it will apply for a CBTE grant to expand the chapter 74 construction craft laborer program. If awarded, the grant would add 40 seats to the program, increasing capacity to 130 students in the construction track. The superintendent noted students in the program are completing in-house projects such as a gardening-shed build that supports school clubs.

Finally, the superintendent told the committee the district's admissions policy is being updated to meet requirements set by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in May 2025; the revised policy will be presented to the committee this fall and submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by Nov. 1, 2025.

The committee voted to "receive and place on file" the superintendent's report. The report also included announcements about a dedication of a Martin School playground and a presentation-room dedication at the high school, and a planned learning-excursion to Washington, D.C., Oct. 21–24 for educators and students to study personalized learning, real-world skills and tech integration.