News Article - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

For Immediate Release
Friday, June 24, 2016
Contact:	Lauren Greene, 781-338-3107

Education Commissioner and Southbridge Receiver Announce Turnaround Plan for Southbridge Schools

SOUTHBRIDGE - Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester and Southbridge Public Schools Receiver Jessica Huizenga today announced the Level 5 District Turnaround Plan for the Southbridge Public School District. The plan lays out a new vision for the district as well as strategies to rapidly improve student learning. The district's turnaround plan was informed by the recommendations of the local stakeholder group that met four times from February through March. The plan outlines a number of new approaches, such as:

An extended school day or year to create more time for student and educator learning;
Changes to collective bargaining agreements to ensure that the receiver can hire, retain and assign the most effective staff where they are needed and put in place a fair and transparent dispute resolution policy;
A revised compensation system with opportunities for teachers to take on extra responsibilities and leadership roles;
Clearer and higher expectations for students' academic achievement and behavior and more systematic monitoring and supports to help students meet those expectations; and
Revised special education systems to ensure strong connections with general education teachers and programs.

"We know that these strategies are the types of changes that can make a big difference for students," said Commissioner Chester. "I am happy to support Dr. Huizenga as she works with Southbridge educators and families to collectively give Southbridge students a world-class education." "This plan lays out a vision for a more rigorous, consistent and efficiently managed school system," said Secretary of Education James A. Peyser. "It keeps students at the center and provides additional supports for both them and their teachers." The Achievement Gap Act of 2010 provided the legal framework for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's January 26, 2016 vote to designate Southbridge Public Schools a Level 5 ("chronically underperforming") district and place the district into receivership. Earlier this year, Commissioner Chester appointed Dr. Huizenga as receiver for the Southbridge Public Schools, and she started work in May. Dr. Huizenga has the powers of the district superintendent and school committee. A Level 5 designation brings with it the expectation that sweeping changes need to be made, including significant improvements in teaching and learning; improvements in the recruiting, hiring, supporting, supervising and evaluating of all personnel; and higher expectations for students. "I am grateful to the Local Stakeholder Group and to everyone who has shared their insights into Southbridge schools with me," said Dr. Huizenga. "Southbridge students have unlimited potential, and I look forward to working with educators, families and the community to strengthen our schools." To achieve the vision of the turnaround plan, the district will focus on five priority areas: Priority Area 1: Ensure an inclusive and supportive school community with high expectations and rigorous, equitable and personalized instruction for all students, including those with disabilities and English learners

" Includes implementing an aligned curriculum, developing strategies to address the needs of English language learners and students with disabilities district-wide, and convening a Secondary Redesign Working Group to make recommendations about new academic and/or technical pathways.

Priority Area 2: Develop a district-wide professional culture of highly effective teaching and leadership

" Includes cultivating shared leadership; attracting and retaining highly-qualified and diverse educators; providing educators with individualized support; and convening a Superintendent's Roundtable of educators, partners and high school students to monitor progress on the Turnaround Plan and make recommendations on its implementation.

Priority Area 3: Create the conditions to enable and apply evidence-informed decision making

" Includes improving information collection and management systems; giving faculty, parents and students access to the appropriate parts of the system; building in time for educators to effectively use data; using data to make programming, staffing and instructional decisions and also using it to monitor student results and supports.

Priority Area 4: Establish systems and processes to cultivate and leverage family engagement and community partnerships

" Includes reviews of each school's parent engagement practices; the creation of a family resource center and a district-wide parent advisory council; and collaborating with the community to strengthen preschool options.

Priority Area 5: Organize the district and reallocate resources to ensure high-quality management, accountability, system-wide coherence and sustainability

Includes an extended school day or year starting in the 2017-18 school year; consideration of different school configurations, such as adding an alternative middle and high school program; the establishment of a district-wide leadership team and reconfiguring the compensation system.

"This plan lays out a positive path, and improved schools will benefit the entire community," said Southbridge Town Manager Ron San Angelo. "I look forward to seeing the results." The turnaround plan will be available online and on the Southbridge Public Schools website.

Last Updated: June 24, 2016