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The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Southbridge Public Schools District Review Report
To:
Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
From:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner
Date:
December 4, 2015

At the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on December 15, we will be discussing the district review report for the Southbridge Public Schools. The district review team was onsite in Southbridge in October and is completing the report, which I will send to you under separate cover during the week of December 7. As background for our discussion, I have attached two additional documents to provide you with an overview of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (ESE) history of programmatic and financial assistance to the Southbridge Public Schools.

The Board declared Southbridge to be a Level 4 (underperforming) district in September 2004. The first document, Southbridge Public Schools History as an Underperforming/Level 4 District, highlights major reviews conducted in the district and the associated DESE efforts, in partnership with the district, to address challenges and improve student performance. The attached timeline is broken down into key time periods throughout the past twelve years reflecting important events or actions related to the district's turnaround effort. The timeline also describes the numerous evaluations completed by DESE and the associated assistance that was provided to address identified needs.

The second document, Southbridge Finance and Activity Summary FY2004-FY2015, lists in broad terms the state and federal resources - above and beyond state and federal entitlement grants - totaling more than $1.8 million invested in the Southbridge Public Schools during this period. Some of the major investments include the following: DESE planning support, additional Title I funds for programs related to at-risk students, and supplementary District and School Assistance Center (DSAC) grants.

Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston and Rob Curtin will join us for this discussion.

Download Word Document
Southbridge District Review Report
Download Word Document
Southbridge Public Schools History as an Underperforming/Level 4 District
Download PDF Document
Southbridge Finance and Activity Summary FY2004-FY2015
Download PDF Document
Southbridge District Review