School Committee Approves Improvement Plan and Superintendent Goals at Virtual Meeting

GILL — October 26, 2021 — Gill-Montague School Committee approves high school and middle school improvement plan as diagnostic data reveals deep learning gaps. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the Great Falls Middle School and Turners Falls High School improvement plan presented by Principal Christopher Barnes, as well as Superintendent Brian Beck's five-goal annual plan and his evaluation focus indicators. Director of Teaching and Learning Gene Powers presented first-ever iReady diagnostic results for grades 6 through 12, showing only 3 percent of assessed students at mid-grade level or above in math and 14 percent in reading, with 23 percent three or more grade levels below in both subjects. Beck also told the committee that state Commissioner of Education had extended the school mask mandate through at least January 15, 2022, and that a local 80 percent vaccination rate could qualify a school building for an off-ramp — calling it "a local decision to be made by school and district leaders." The committee approved an accounts payable warrant of $339,585 and scheduled a working session for November 16 to finalize school committee goals.