Amy Bassett

The 2025-2030 District Improvement Plan serves as a strategic roadmap for the Dudley Charlton Regional School District, focused on promoting equity, academic excellence, and student well-being. It outlines targeted actions and measurable goals across three core focus areas: Academic Excellence, which includes high-quality instruction, eliminating opportunity gaps, and college and career readiness; Wellness and Belonging, focusing on creating a welcoming learning environment, whole child well-being, and strong social-emotional skills; and Operational Effectiveness, which emphasizes data-based decision making and modernizing infrastructure. The plan is designed to prepare every student for success through strategic investments in teaching, support services, and infrastructure.

The strategic goals for the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District for 2025-2026 focus on enhancing governance and leadership capacity, ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction and enriching student experiences, and maintaining fiscal responsibility aligned with a 10-Year Capital Plan. The plan also emphasizes strengthening the continuum of learning, improving instructional practices, and fostering community engagement. Key priorities include a district-wide mathematics initiative, dedicated support for students with disabilities and English learners, enhancing Grade 10 ELA, implementing a tiered intervention system, and expanding AP access.

This document outlines the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District's strategic goals for the 2025-2026 academic years. The strategic pillars include strengthening governance and leadership capacity, ensuring educational excellence and student experience, and upholding fiscal responsibility and resource stewardship. These goals aim to enhance communication and collaboration, provide equitable access to high-quality education, promote student learning and well-being, and ensure financial sustainability to achieve equitable student outcomes.

The meeting included a showcase by the Shepherd Hill RHS Show Choir. Key items addressed included the approval of the Warrant, an out-of-state field trip policy, and communications regarding professional development seminars and youth cheerleading achievements. The Student Representative reported on the National Honor Society food drive success and cheerleading competition results. The Superintendent's Report covered topics such as weather-related closures, the selection of Project 351 Ambassadors, the Adopt a Child for Christmas project supporting 412 children, receipt of gift cards from the Rose of Sharon Masonic Charitable Fund for families in need, and an overview of the new statewide graduation framework released by the Governor. New Business involved a report from the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) noting recurring communication issues and outlining upcoming meeting locations. The Dudley Middle School Principal reported increases in attendance, decreases in disciplinary actions and vandalism, and academic performance improvements, despite mixed MCAS results. Reports were also presented on the Southern Worcester County Education Collaborative's financial audit (finding no instances of noncompliance for the year ended June 30, 2025), the FY2025 Annual Report, and the FY2026 1st Quarter Report. The Director of Finance and Operations provided updates on the FY26 Budget Year to Date status, the ongoing FY2025 close-out, and received unanimous approval for the disposal of outdated school property. Finally, an update on the upcoming professional development training for December 12, 2025, was provided.

The Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting addressed the election of a Chair and Vice Chair for the committee. A status update on the FY2026 Budget indicated a positive position early in the year, with detailed numbers expected after the first quarter ending in September. The committee noted that the FY2024 Audit results were positive, and the FY2025 Audit on-site visit is scheduled for November. Future agenda items suggested for discussion include the Capital Plan timeline, Technology Efficiency Fund, and standing topics for legislative updates such as Chapter 70 and regional transportation aid.