NOTICE:

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Harvard Public Schools during the week of February 23, 2026. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards. 

Harvard Public Schools will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that focuses on special education student identification and special education eligibility timelines; Individualized Education Program (IEP) development; programming and support services; procedural requirements for suspensions and equal opportunity. For additional information please also see Integrated Monitoring Parent and Family Orientation.  

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may contact Merlisha Theodat, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3790 or merlisha.theodat@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as interpretation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html

STATE OF THE SCHOOLS (January 2026)

On January 6, 2026, Superintendent Dr. Dwight presented the state of the Harvard Public Schools during a public forum.  Highlights from the presentation are included in the slides linked above.  Dr. Dwight also introduced our incoming Superintendent Dana Labb, who shared his background and educational philosopy.  Additional events are being scheduled to give the communities to get to know Mr. Labb before he assumes office on July 1, 2026.