Superintendent Maguire shares insights from AASA National Conference on education challenges

The Dartmouth School Committee meeting on March 24, 2025, highlighted significant discussions regarding the future of funding and educational initiatives within the district. A key topic was the potential need for a funding override, with growing support among committee members. This move aims to address pressing financial challenges faced by the schools, ensuring that educational programs and resources remain robust for students.

Superintendent Dr. Saba Maguire provided an update on her recent attendance at the 2025 AASA National Conference, where she engaged with fellow educators about common challenges in education. She emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in education and the role of strategic planning in communicating progress to the community. Dr. Maguire noted that discussions around a funding override would require a concerted effort to build stakeholder buy-in, highlighting the need for clear communication and community engagement.

In addition to funding discussions, the meeting also covered ongoing educational initiatives. Dr. Tibold reported on the successful continuation of a high school math pilot program in collaboration with Carnegie Learning, which aims to enhance teaching practices through professional development. He also shared positive feedback from a recent NEASC collaborative visit, which validated the high-quality instruction and student engagement at Dartmouth High School. The visiting team praised the school’s infrastructure improvements and diverse extracurricular offerings, while also providing recommendations for further growth, such as refining grading practices and enhancing communication through the student handbook.

The meeting concluded with an inspiring author visit at Dartmouth Middle School, where students engaged with award-winning author Dusty Bowling. The event not only fostered a love for reading but also delivered a powerful message about perseverance, resonating with students as they learned about the author's journey through numerous rejections before achieving success.

As the Dartmouth School Committee moves forward, the discussions from this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape and addressing the needs of the community. The focus on funding, strategic planning, and student engagement reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to the challenges faced by the district.