During a recent government meeting, the board of trustees discussed significant updates regarding the district's improvement plan for the 2024-2025 school year and received an overview of the pre-kindergarten (pre-k) program.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the district improvement plan, which was presented by Miss Bridal and Mister Hasso. The plan, developed over several months, aims to enhance student achievement and outcomes based on recent STAR and EOC results. The board emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community representatives, in shaping the educational goals and objectives of the district. The motion to approve the plan passed unanimously, reflecting strong support from the board members.

Mister Hasso highlighted the district's commitment to continuous improvement, aligning the plan with the district's North Star goal, which focuses on ensuring that every student, teacher, and leader meets or exceeds academic growth goals. The discussion also included the importance of recruiting and retaining quality staff, enhancing curriculum and learning experiences, and engaging with community members.

Following the approval of the district improvement plan, the board took a brief recess before reconvening to discuss the pre-k program. Katie Finney, the coordinating director of early childhood services, presented a comprehensive overview of the program's growth and achievements. Over the past seven years, the pre-k program has expanded from 31 teachers serving approximately 1,000 students to 108 classrooms accommodating nearly 1,900 children across 34 campuses.

Finney emphasized the program's focus on high-quality early learning experiences, which are crucial for closing the achievement gap among at-risk students. The pre-k program offers both monolingual and dual-language options, catering to diverse student needs. Finney also shared progress monitoring data, indicating that students who attended RISD pre-k outperformed their peers in key academic areas, reinforcing the program's effectiveness.

The presentation concluded with a discussion on the importance of professional development for pre-k teachers, highlighting a robust coaching model designed to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes. The board expressed appreciation for the hard work of the pre-k team and the positive impact of the program on early childhood education within the district.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving educational outcomes through strategic planning and the expansion of early childhood services, setting a strong foundation for future academic success.