Duxbury School Committee Adopts Strategic Goals Focused on Budget Transparency and Strategic Planning
DUXBURY - September 17 - The Duxbury School Committee established three comprehensive goals for the academic year after extensive deliberation on Wednesday night, prioritizing budget transparency, strategic planning engagement, and operational improvements. The goals include hosting at least four public forums on the budget process and actively participating in the development of a new district strategic plan.
The Full Story
The committee spent over an hour debating and refining their goals framework, ultimately agreeing on three main objectives that will guide their work through the school year. The first goal centers on budget engagement and transparency, requiring the committee to conduct at least two public engagement sessions before their December 10th budget vote and two additional public forums afterward to explain their decisions to the community.
"We have less people to be able to go through this process of applying for grants," said committee member Matt Gambino regarding the district's reduced administrative capacity following 18 staff cuts. His comments highlighted ongoing concerns about the district's ability to maintain services while managing essential operations like grant applications worth over $1 million annually.
The committee's second goal involves promoting the development of a data-driven district strategic plan. Two school committee members will participate in the strategic planning committee and provide regular updates to the full board. The strategic planning process will include community forums beginning October 1st, with consultant Pam Gould from TLA Education facilitating stakeholder input sessions.
A third goal focuses on aligning committee operations to support systemic improvement, including the development of governing norms and an onboarding guide for new members. The policy subcommittee will establish a prioritized review schedule by June 2026, addressing concerns raised about the committee's ability to keep pace with policy updates.
The meeting also featured approval of federal grants totaling approximately $1 million, including IDEA special education funds, Title I through IV grants, and newer competitive grants for Innovation Career Pathways and hate crimes prevention. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beth Wilcox noted that while these grants provide critical funding, they require extensive administrative work that has become more challenging with reduced staff.
Student representatives provided updates from all schools, highlighting successful programs like Start with Hello Week at Chandler Elementary and the launch of fall co-curricular activities. At the high school, biology teacher Erica Stoloff was recognized as the Red Sox Most Valuable Educator.
The committee reviewed student achievement data showing generally positive trends in reading and mathematics assessments, though some concerns emerged about middle school performance compared to elementary schools. The data presentation included results from i-Ready assessments and AP exam scores, with 75% of AP students scoring 3 or above in 2025.
B.J. McNamara was welcomed as the district's new Special Education Director, adding expertise to address achievement gaps and support students with disabilities. The committee scheduled their first budget workshop for September 26th to begin preliminary discussions about the FY26 budget process.
The strategic planning timeline was outlined, with six committee meetings scheduled through March 2026 to develop the new four-year plan. Community input sessions will begin October 1st, with focus groups for various stakeholder groups including parents, teachers, and students.
Why It Matters
These goals reflect the committee's response to community feedback about budget transparency and communication following last year's contentious budget process. The emphasis on public engagement aims to provide residents with earlier and clearer information about budget decisions and the constraints facing the district. The strategic planning involvement ensures the committee maintains oversight of the district's long-term direction while managing immediate fiscal challenges.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve consent agenda including meeting minutes, warrants, and donations. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: Approve federal grants including IDEA, Title I-IV, Innovation Pathways, and hate crimes prevention grants totaling approximately $1 million. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: Adopt school committee goals with amendments as discussed. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
What's Next
The committee will hold their first budget workshop on September 26th at 8:30 AM at central office. Strategic planning community forums begin October 1st. The next regular meeting on October 8th will include capital budget presentations, school improvement plan updates, cell phone policy check-in, and a report on position reduction impacts.