Quick Buzz Feed
Superintendent Amy Hartley-Matteson wants to tackle early literacy and limit technology use. Her hefty improvement plan for the 2026-27 school year, presented to the School Committee at its Oct. 2 meeting, has a range of goals for improving student performance on assessments. Hartley-Matteson said she is committed to equity. She wants to identify which students the district’s current practices aren’t working well for and figure out what needs to change to make learning more equitable.
Superintendent Amy Hartley-Matteson presented her ambitious school improvement plan for the 2026-27 school year to the School Committee on October 2. The plan outlines various goals aimed at improving student performance on assessments, with a strong emphasis on achieving educational equity.
Hartley-Matteson highlighted her dedication to equity, intending to pinpoint students for whom current teaching methods are ineffective and to implement necessary changes for more equitable learning outcomes. A key initiative is to enhance early literacy through the development of a new reading and writing program, a topic previously addressed by the School Committee.
The superintendent also plans to establish clear guidelines concerning artificial intelligence, technology, and cell phone usage within schools. This will involve conducting a comprehensive technology use study and forming a dedicated team to propose grade-level specific recommendations.
To ensure accountability and effectiveness, district leaders and principals are scheduled to meet three times throughout the school year to review progress. Similarly, school-based teams will conduct their own reflections on school-wide goals, fostering a continuous improvement cycle.
School Committee member Joyce Bacchiocchi voiced her anticipation for the technology use study, expressing concerns about excessive screen time for students. She praised Superintendent Hartley-Matteson for developing a plan that is highly relevant and impactful for both students and the district, acknowledging the significant work accomplished in the superintendent's first three months.