Please see this updated 7/7/25 School Committee Meeting Highlights

Meeting Highlights:

• The Harvard School Committee held its first meeting of the year, where they reorganized by electing Abby Besse as chair, Liz Joyce as vice chair, and Brian Killeen, the newest member on the school committee, as clerk. 
  
  

• Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Glenn Koocher, reviewed the superintendent search process, noting that Harvard is well-positioned due to the district’s strength and the advance notice of Dr. Dwight’s planned departure, which allows for a year-long transition. He recommended launching the search in September, before the winter holidays, to attract top candidates. Glenn also emphasized the importance of forming a search committee with a balanced mix of educators and non-educators to advise the School Committee throughout the process. He recommended community engagement through tools such as surveys and focus groups to help identify what the community values in a new superintendent. However, the School Committee will lead the search and make the final decision. The Committee will take Glenn’s guidance into account as it begins planning.
  
  

• TBMS Principal Hudder presented the review of last year's school improvement plan, highlighting that the goals were met due to the hard work of faculty and staff and the support of the leadership team. He discussed the structure of the plan, including the goals, action steps, and assessments. Principal Hudder also provided an overview of the upcoming 25-26 school improvement plan, which has already been reviewed and supported by the TBMS School Council. The district's educational goals for the 2025-2026 academic year include implementing a robust tier 2 structure, building on belonging through school-wide emphasis on social emotional growth, and improving communication by celebrating cultural holidays and student achievements. 
  
  

• Director of School Finance and Operations, Mandy Ostaszewski, provided updates on the FY25 budget closeout, noting that they are on track to close to 0 in the general fund budget, helped by a $132,000 special education transportation claim from FY24 fully funded by Governor Healey. Dr. Dwight shared personnel updates, including several new hires and retirements, and explained how they manage staffing changes while considering candidates' previous public school experience. 
  
  

• The School Committee continued to work on constructing an AI policy and approved a grant for string instruments at the middle school, led by a student and taught by the Spanish teacher.