School committee adds safety, technology and staffing priorities to goals

At its March 4 meeting, the Nantucket School Committee reviewed and discussed revised annual goals that add safety and security, explicit technology guidance including emerging tools and artificial intelligence, and an emphasis on staff recruitment and retention.

The committee’s goal revisions call for "appropriate technology hardware" and software to be obtained and distributed to grades 6 through 12 and for emerging technology tools, including artificial intelligence, to be introduced "carefully with specific learning parameters around usage in the school," a committee speaker read from the draft goals. The draft also directs the district to "follow clear policies and procedures around the new Massachusetts legislation regarding competency determinations for graduating high school seniors," language the committee added during goal revision.

On safety, the revised goals say the district will "ensure that the administration has [a] comprehensive safety plan that is reviewed annually with the local police and fire departments," provide ongoing crisis-response training for staff, and evaluate and update daily safety and security procedures. Committee members noted safety was a newly emphasized focus area.

The goals also emphasize recruitment, selection and retention: the district will pursue strategies to attract and retain qualified staff, including appropriate compensation, incentives and "new roles and opportunities for growth," and will assist incoming teachers and administrators in acquiring "adequate and affordable housing," a committee member said when presenting the goals.

Committee members did not take a formal vote to adopt or change policy language during the March 4 discussion; the revised goal language was presented and will be placed on a future agenda for further consideration and any formal action.

The committee listed these goal areas on the meeting agenda for continued follow-up at upcoming meetings, including safety and security needs assessment and a social media/cell-phone policy update on the March 18 agenda.