Meeting Recap: 11/4/24

Nice thing about Zoom meetings is I can more easily take notes on my computer. Here’s my summary of tonight’s meeting. Please be sure to vote tomorrow if you haven’t already and please be kind to yourself and the people around you as you move through the post-election world. 

Agenda | Video

1. Consent agenda - approved with amendment to correct a vote tally in the October 28 special meeting

2. Superintendent’s updates - Election Day notes; Jumpstart Read for the Record Day at the Missituk Elementary; Walking Wednesdays, Successes for Medford Marching Band, football player Brianne Cerullo, Rowing team, Unified Basketball; Krystal Campbell Garden dedication; MSBA visiting all schools except HS next week for statewide report

3. Vehicle donation approved

4. Instructional Vision for MPS - work is ongoing, presentation is to introduce this to the committee and will be introduced to staff on Tuesday. It included the work thus far (2021-present) such as alignment of assessment, classroom practices, instruction, and professional development; and four key components that support the overarching goal of educational equity (high quality instruction, deeply engaging, data-informed, belonging) 

5. MCAS Results - Presentation included information about the state accountability system, district trends and testing schedules, and subject area results and next steps including information about the new civics test (currently in field testing) and science pilot test. Subjects discussed in depth were English Language Arts, math, and science, plus an overview of highlights and trends from analysis of subgroup data, and a discussion of the district’s support structures for students who are not meeting the graduation standards (and opportunities to expand those supports to middle school. [I particularly appreciated the connections that were being made across grade levels and discussion of the relationship between instructional practices and curriculum decisions on the findings]

6. Approval of Policy ACGB Title IX Sexual Discrimination Grievance Procedure - This was the second reading of the policy discussed in last week's special meeting, so convened to reflect the district's adherence to Title IX updates that went into effect over the summer

7. Request for report on MHS bathrooms - Member Graham gave context; Member Branley shared info received from her conversations with high school employees - motion approved; report is due December 2

8. Motion for consolidation of DEI work between City and schools - various points raised including both concerns and appreciation, motion was approved for work through the end of the year and sent to the DEI subcommittee for refinement, to be brought back to the full committee on December 16

9. Condolences and adjournment