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Date: 10/27/2021
HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM – The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) moved one small step closer to a strategic plan on Oct. 21 when they reviewed the issues and opportunities identified by members of the community.
Mac Reid of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS) explained to the committee that they had done an activity at each of the schools to identify the district’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats – a SWOT analysis. The goal was to prioritize between four and six primary goals for the strategic plan.
Mary Broderick, a consultant with MARS, worked with the committee to add any of their ideas to the compiled list.
After that, committee members were tasked with choosing which strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats each considered a priority for the district.
Strengths identified in this manner included educators who support students, active involved parents, great music, art and science offerings, the district’s suburban setting, collegiality among staff and a positive reputation.
The committee also saw strengths in strong community support, high graduation rates and a drive to give students what they need.
A major weaknesses seen by the School Committee was that there was an insufficient ability to analyze student achievement over time. Other weaknesses identified as priorities included the conundrum of raising academic achievement for all while closing the achievement gap and a flat local economy.
The opportunities that were seen as highest priority were enhanced vocational opportunities, ensuring that the budget reflects student needs rather than staff and administrative ones, college credit and online learning options and building revenue through sponsorships.
Also mentioned were revisiting the regional agreement, and reimagining education in the post-pandemic world and beyond.
Finally, the threats seen as important included the increase in state mandated programs, a lack of leadership from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), a decrease in performance leading families to look to alternatives and the district’s “diminishing sphere of influence.”
The “highly charged” political climate interfering with the school system and parents who are alarmed by “what they think is being taught,” and social media were all identified as threats to the district.
Public meetings on the strategic plan have been scheduled for Nov. 1 at Thornton W. Burgess (TWB) School and Nov. 8 at Minnechaug Regional High School. Both meetings start at 6 p.m.
Test & Stay
Moving on to other committee issues, Nurse Leader Kiara Fryer reported that the Test & Stay program was up and running at TWB. Unvaccinated students who have been identified as close contacts to a coronavirus-positive person can receive a rapid test each day for seven days. As long as students are symptomless and test negative, they receive a waiver to go to school that day.
TWB is open to test students weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Staff who are close contacts are also eligible for the testing.
The testing is done by members of the National Guard, however, a district employee and medical professional are also on hand.
Fryer said 953 students had been signed up for the program so far.
In addition to vaccinated individuals, those who have had COVID-19 within 90 days are also exempt from testing. Superintendent Al Ganem noted that five- to 12-year-olds were expected to be approved for vaccination by Nov. 2.
For unvaccinated students who are not opted into the Test & Stay program, a synchronous learning option is available.
Special Education
Director of Student Services Gina Roy updated the committee on the special education programs in the district.
A total of 496 students have individualized education plans (IEP) which determine the aid needed.
Roy noted that 27 students with IEPs had moved into the district since June.
“A lot of the kids who have moved in have extensive needs,” Roy said, adding that Longmeadow is seeing a similar trend. “These are students that we didn’t quite budget for, but we need to meet their needs.”
Director of Finance and Operation Aaron Osborne said that the additional paraprofessionals needed will cost roughly $100,000, but the district can manage it.
Roy said that the more concerning issue is finding paraprofessionals. She said the district has tried LinkedIn, colleges and retired teachers, but cannot fill the positions.
Kiernan asked about compensation. Osbourne told him it was comparable to other districts, but Roy pointed out that two paraprofessionals had left to work in districts that offer a differential for extensive needs students.
HWRSD pays $2 million – 4 percent of the budget – to send students to out-of-district special education programs. Osborne suggested updating their in-district programs to bring the students back and save money.
Roy noted that special education can work on a hybrid model, in which students take some classes with their general education peers and some instruction in a “sub-separate” class. That said, four of the district’s six school buildings have no unused space for a sub-separate classroom.