Dr. Sean Joseph and Anita Williams presented the transition team report to the board Nov. 12, describing a process that engaged 71 participants and produced 79 recommendations across four priority areas: student achievement, human capital, communications/community engagement, and chronic absenteeism.

"We had 71 individuals from the community and from the school system ... come together ... to put together a plan," Joseph said. The transition team’s work identifies both short‑term steps and long‑term systems changes the district can use to refine a strategic plan and prioritize limited resources.

Key short‑term recommendations include creating a coherent instructional plan in reading and math built on observable nonnegotiables; expanding K–5 literacy; emphasizing acceleration over remediation in math instruction; and investing in job‑embedded professional development and coaching. The human‑resources recommendations focus on recruitment, selection and retention, with improved onboarding, recognition systems and leadership development to reduce turnover.

The presenters drew attention to chronic absenteeism, which they said was about 29 percent districtwide and a target of 20 percent by 2026. Proposed actions include improving attendance data accuracy, real‑time dashboards, expanded family engagement and targeted communications campaigns to celebrate attendance improvements.

The communications subcommittee urged a districtwide public‑facing approach: unified branding, multilingual outreach and dashboards to show progress in real time to restore trust. Dr. Joseph and Williams framed the report as a roadmap to help the board and superintendent sequence work and align resources: "You have an opportunity to ... refine what you're going to do first, second and third," Joseph said.

Board members thanked the transition team and signaled support for moving into a strategic‑planning phase using the report’s recommendations. The transcript records presentation and discussion but does not record a separate formal vote to adopt the recommendations as policy; trustees said they planned to use the report to inform the district’s next strategic plan.