Westfield Washington School District

The Board of Trustees held an executive session to discuss the job performance evaluation of individual employees and to participate in training regarding their roles as public officials.

The board meeting included a special recognition segment for the student of the month. Consent agenda items were approved, including personnel reports, payroll vouchers, and accounts payable vouchers. Business and operations updates featured a construction status report, approval of a SpendBridge subscription agreement, the authorization of a bid for the Westfield High School Chiller Replacement Project, and the approval of the 2026-2027 Before and After Care program fees. Additionally, the board conducted the first reading of the 2026-2027 student handbooks, with specific discussions held regarding updated cell phone and smart watch policies.

The meeting focused on the recognition of students of the month from various district schools, including Virginia Fwood Early Learning Center, Shamrock Springs Elementary School, Washington Woods Elementary, Carrie Ridge Elementary, Maple Glenn Elementary, Monont Trail Elementary, Oak Trace Elementary, Westfield Intermediate School, the middle school, and the high school. Principals and teachers shared accolades regarding the students' academic achievements, leadership qualities, character development, and contributions to their respective school communities.

The work session primarily focused on receiving an update regarding School Accountability from the principals of Westfield High School and Westfield Middle School. For Westfield High School, accountability under the new diploma model will emphasize diploma type (Honors and Plus Seals), standardized test benchmarks (SAT/ACT), workplace learning, and credentials. The school anticipates a short-term dip in ratings due to the transition period. Strategic course integration, such as embedding Computing Foundations and Preparing for College and Careers, aims to align with staffing and workforce readiness goals. Westfield Middle School's accountability metrics will center on ILEARN proficiency, growth, attendance, and the completion of high school credits in seventh and eighth grade. WMS plans to expand transcripted high school credit opportunities in subjects like Physical Science to support middle school accountability and ensure students enter high school prepared.

The work session focused on reviewing and discussing the impact of the new school accountability model and changes to the diploma requirements, which are assumed to apply to the graduating class of 2026. Key discussion points included how student performance metrics, such as earning new diploma seals, contributing to school grades, and the increased importance of biology iLearn scores and SAT/ACT performance. Significant curricular adjustments were detailed, including embedding prep for college and careers standards into all principles courses (resulting in a third credit) and embedding personal financial responsibility standards into economics classes for the initial cohort affected by the new diploma structure. The board also discussed master schedule implications, such as moving certain required credits like computer science down to the middle school level, and the emphasis on work-based learning and internships for earning plus seals.