Westerly school officials outline strategies to tackle attendance and improve student outcomes
December 16, 2024 | Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island
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Westerly Town Council members gathered on December 16, 2024, to discuss critical updates regarding the local school system, focusing on enrollment trends, budget allocations, and program expansions aimed at enhancing educational outcomes.
A significant highlight from the meeting was the school district's ongoing efforts to address attendance issues and improve student performance. The superintendent and school administrators presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced, including declining enrollment numbers, which have dropped by 20% since 2020, now totaling 2,191 students. The council emphasized the importance of creating an attractive school environment to retain students and draw new families to the district.
Council members expressed a strong desire to enhance the curriculum, particularly through the expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The discussion included plans to introduce new courses in aviation, health pathways, and culinary arts, aiming to provide students with practical skills that align with job market demands. The council recognized the need for competitive programming to prevent students from transferring to neighboring districts with more robust offerings.
Budget discussions revealed concerns about the school district's surplus, which has been a point of contention among council members. One councilor noted that despite a consistent surplus of approximately $1.3 million over the past five years, there is a reluctance to increase funding without assurance that the existing budget is fully utilized. The school committee responded by highlighting the challenges of staffing vacancies and the need for intentional spending to support educational goals.
The meeting concluded with a call for further collaboration between the town council and the school committee to ensure that budget decisions are informed by the needs of students and teachers. The council expressed a commitment to revisiting the budget process, with plans for a follow-up meeting to discuss specific program implementations and funding strategies.
As Westerly continues to navigate these educational challenges, the focus remains on fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes student success and community engagement.
A significant highlight from the meeting was the school district's ongoing efforts to address attendance issues and improve student performance. The superintendent and school administrators presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced, including declining enrollment numbers, which have dropped by 20% since 2020, now totaling 2,191 students. The council emphasized the importance of creating an attractive school environment to retain students and draw new families to the district.
Council members expressed a strong desire to enhance the curriculum, particularly through the expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The discussion included plans to introduce new courses in aviation, health pathways, and culinary arts, aiming to provide students with practical skills that align with job market demands. The council recognized the need for competitive programming to prevent students from transferring to neighboring districts with more robust offerings.
Budget discussions revealed concerns about the school district's surplus, which has been a point of contention among council members. One councilor noted that despite a consistent surplus of approximately $1.3 million over the past five years, there is a reluctance to increase funding without assurance that the existing budget is fully utilized. The school committee responded by highlighting the challenges of staffing vacancies and the need for intentional spending to support educational goals.
The meeting concluded with a call for further collaboration between the town council and the school committee to ensure that budget decisions are informed by the needs of students and teachers. The council expressed a commitment to revisiting the budget process, with plans for a follow-up meeting to discuss specific program implementations and funding strategies.
As Westerly continues to navigate these educational challenges, the focus remains on fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes student success and community engagement.
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