Twila Tufts, program specialist for professional leadership and learning, updated the committee on induction and mentoring activities on July 17. Tufts reported that the department generated 336 professional educator competency (PEC) forms for the 24-25 cohort; 95% of the cohort met PEC requirements and submissions were sent to the state.
The nut graf: referendum funds support induction, mentoring and a New Teacher Academy (NTA); staff are expanding offerings and paying stipends to mentors and site leads to bolster teacher retention and certification progress among novice and early-career educators.
Tufts said the district projects 406 PEC participants for 25-26 and that early-career teachers (years 2–5) represent more than 80% of participants, indicating retention progress of novice hires. The district offered a New Teacher Academy in year one with more than 150 educators participating, and will add NTA 2 for early-career teachers. Mentors receive up to $1,250 for 30 hours of support; site-based leads receive up to $2,410 for program documentation. The district also piloted an arts-specialized mentor cohort and plans to expand cohort mentoring to special education and PE.
Ending: Tufts said costs can fluctuate as new hires are cleared and will be included in final accounting; no committee action was required.