Frenchtown Elementary School BOE Sets 2026 Goals

At the August 25 Frenchtown Elementary School Board of Education meeting, board members Adam Blackburn, Michael Dermody, Rachel Howard, Julie Klein, Erinn Nakahara, Veda Partalo and Kate Nugent set their district and board goals for school year 2026-2027.

The district goals are:

1. Provide a foundation for later success in education and life by ensuring facilities, resources, environments and opportunities for all students to unlock their highest academic and creative potential. By June 2027, at least 80% of students will demonstrate measurable growth in two or more academic indicators as compared to baseline assessments through the implementation of high quality instruction, targeted interventions and data-driven decision making.
2. Increase student awareness of future educational, career and community opportunities by developing and implementing initiatives that broaden student perspectives, with a particular focus on broadening middle school students’ academic and cultural perspectives while intentionally developing character skills such as empathy, respect, responsibility and conscientiousness.
3. By December 31, 2026, the board will develop a comprehensive climate survey of students, staff and community members to conduct by February 28, 2027.

The board’s goals are as follows:

1. Build a strong and representative board by making opportunities for board service accessible, transparent and open to interested community members and develop a process for orientation and continuing education of board members.
2. Create a feasible, community-informed plan for renovating the auditorium and determine appropriate funding options for moving forward.
3. Increase FES participation in community events including town government meetings, townwide events and parades.
4. By spring, 2027 review and revise district policy to establish clear, age-appropriate guidelines for student screen use across the district based on the informed participation of FES staff, board and community members, as well as a review of current evidence regarding developmental and educational impact of screens on young learners.