April 14, 2026

 

Below, you will find an update on the progress of our district’s goals for the 2025–2026 school year. This report highlights the achievements and challenges of the third quarter and provides detailed insights into each of our five district priority areas. Together, these updates reflect milestones reached, obstacles addressed, and the steps ahead as we continue to advance excellence and opportunity for all students.


Priority I: Academic Achievement and Outcomes

Progress and Achievements
During the third quarter (January–April 2026), the district maintained strong momentum in academic achievement through data-driven instruction, career readiness integration, and experiential learning. Efforts focused on strengthening high school readiness, expanding career pathways, sustaining benchmark participation, and advancing partnerships with higher education.

Key Actions

• Academic Achievement and Data-Driven Instruction
  • Completed Pre-AP training for middle school ELA and social studies teachers on March 20, 2026. Authentic Pre-AP frameworks are now being implemented in grades 9–10 to support increased rigor and smoother transitions to high school.
  • Continued quarterly data review cycles with Curriculum and Instruction Supervisors analyzing Marking Period 1 and 2 benchmark data. Building administrators received unpacked data to guide school-level instructional next steps.
  • Maintained strong benchmark participation rates in mathematics, with 89.5% participation in Marking Period 1 and 87.4% in Marking Period 2.
• Career Readiness and Experiential Learning

  • Revamped the high school Course of Study Booklet to outline 12 distinct career pathways. Counselors were trained on the new “Pathways to Possibilities” section during the revision process.

  • Published the Rutgers University Fall Semester course catalog for rising seniors, expanding access to dual enrollment opportunities.

  • Advanced career readiness tracking through the high school scheduling and sectioning process. Students enrolled in Career Explorations continued career research, soft-skills development, and preparation for internship opportunities.
• Literacy and Elementary Assessment

  • Finalized DIBELS middle-of-year assessments and elementary Trimester 2 benchmarks.

  • Completed the Marking Period 3 benchmark window in April across content areas, with data expected in early May.

Challenges and Current Blockers

• Development of a districtwide, grade-specific career readiness framework remains in progress.

• Formalized onboarding protocols for experiential learning partners and expansion of the centralized experiential learning platform are still under development.

• Collection of feedback from students, families, and partners is still in progress.

Next Steps

• Review Marking Period 3 benchmark data in early May to inform continued instructional planning.
• Complete remaining career readiness infrastructure tasks by June 2026.

 

Priority II: Operational Excellence

Progress and Achievements
During the third quarter, the district continued to advance Operational Excellence with steady progress in elementary enrollment balancing, community engagement, and facility improvements. Key milestones were achieved in the elementary enrollment balancing process, while planning for summer construction and stakeholder engagement remained on track.

Key Actions

• Elementary Enrollment Balancing and Community Engagement
  • Finalized the elementary enrollment balancing proposal/recommendation in February 2026 and presented it to the Board of Education on February 10, 2026.
  • Continued monthly Steering Committee meetings to support enrollment planning, with meetings held on February 3 and March 30.
• Facilities and Bond Construction
  • Continued progress toward completion of all Bond construction projects by the June 19, 2026 target date, with major work scheduled for summer 2026.
  • Maintained regular, accessible updates on Bond project developments to ensure transparency.

Challenges and Current Blockers

• Finalization and Board approval of enrollment balancing recommendation has yet to occur. This must occur prior to August 2026 to remain on timeline.

Next Steps

• Complete April community presentations and continue Steering Committee meetings through June 2026.
• Finalize preparations for summer 2026 Bond construction work, including security vestibules, office renovations, interior upgrades, site improvements, and playground enhancements.
• Sustain transparency efforts through Board meetings, a financial dashboard, and district communication channels, providing regular operational and facilities updates.

 

Priority III: Aligning Student Supports to Mirror Student Needs

Progress and Achievements
Work under Priority III remained largely on track during the third quarter, with continued progress toward June 2026 milestones. Core student support systems continued to advance, while one critical task requires focused attention.

Key Actions

• Student Support Systems
  • Continued implementation and monitoring of student support structures across schools.
  • Identified the need for a comprehensive program evaluation to inform future improvements.

Challenges and Current Blockers

• Districtwide progress continues, while data indicate a need for focused climate improvement and stronger alignment of student supports to ensure the needs of all learners are met.

Next Steps

• Complete the program evaluation as a priority to inform improvements.
• Continue advancing professional development, intervention alignment, and family engagement efforts

 

Priority IV: Climate & Family Engagement

Progress and Achievements
During the third quarter, the district demonstrated strong momentum in student leadership development and sustained community engagement, reinforcing student voice and transparent communication.

Key Actions

• Student Leadership Development
  • Continued advancement of student government efforts, including mentor assignments and leadership structures.
  • Engaged 24 students across both high schools through the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, focused on leadership, student voice, and community impact.
  • Advanced leadership training through direct meetings and elementary school visits.
  • Planned two student government capstone events with evaluation tools in development.

Community Engagement

• Maintained monthly milestone communications highlighting district and student achievements.

Next Steps

• Finalize remaining student government tasks by June 2026.
• Execute capstone events and evaluate outcomes.

 

Priority V: Staff Recruitment and Retention

Progress and Achievements
During the third quarter, the district remained on track in advancing staff recruitment and retention efforts, supported by completed foundational frameworks, expanding partnerships, and improved retention outcomes.

Key Actions

• Staff Support and Retention Systems
  • Completed districtwide frameworks for mentorship, communication, family collaboration, and co-planned professional development.
  • Continued wellness initiatives and leadership presentations focused on staff support.
• Recruitment and Hiring
  • Strengthened university partnerships to support student teacher placements and recruitment pipelines.
• Retention Trends
  • Recorded a 30% reduction in board-approved terminations year-over-year.
• Challenges and Current Blockers
  • Budgetary implications have impacted previously planned efforts related to recruitment.

Next Steps

• Identification of budget friendly processes to enhance recruitment efforts.
• Continue wellness efforts and monitor retention data.
• Prioritize facility improvement requests and recruitment actions following budget approval.

As we conclude the third quarter, the progress reflected in this update exemplifies our collective commitment to continuous improvement and student success. Through collaboration, careful planning, and sustained focus on our district priorities, the district continues to move forward with purpose. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Kwame R. Morton, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools