Last month, Superintendent of Schools Chris Melillo presented his four goals for the school year at a Board of Education meeting, along with details of the goals, each connected to priorities of the strategic plan pilot beginning its implementation.

First on the superintendent’s list to expand the practice of learning walks to include teachers. Melillo has been a consistent advocate for these observational sessions in active classrooms. Until now, only administrators have been involved.

In his report to the Board at an October 17 meeting, Melillo gave an update on the goal progress, stating schools had developed teams of teachers beginning to participate in this practice.

“Learning walks improve instruction by providing opportunities for educators to observe and learn from their colleagues, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth,” Melillo said.

He added the peer-based approach allows participants to identify best teaching practices as well as areas of improvement.

The superintendent connected the goal of expanding learning walks to Priority 1 of the strategic plan, which is to “ensure stimulating, engaging, and challenging learning opportunities.”

The second goal on Melillo’s list for the year was to “strengthen career pathways” in the district for students, aimed to “equip students with the education, skills, opportunities, and resources necessary for success in their chosen professions.”

This was connected to Strategic Priority 2, which concerns preparing students for life after graduation. The collaboration seeks to develop a mobile food business with “industry-standard culinary equipment, branding, and marketing” — a food truck for the culinary program at NHS.

The associated objectives with this goal include working with educators and industry experts to expand the curriculum, and introducing projects with “real world scenarios.”

Movement in this “interdepartmental collaboration” was detailed October 17 by Grant Specialist Judit DeStefano. She explained the program was being funded by the Perkins Supplemental Enhancement Grant awarded to the district.

“We have a great program in culinary already,” stated DeStefano, “They really have it going on, and this is kind of a way to take it on the road.”

“But, more than having the end results of a food truck, it’s the process of pulling it together: planning a business for the business students, doing marketing work on it for the marketing students,” she said.

DeStefano said the NHS automotive students are “having a big hand” in the program’s implementation. She said an actual food truck could not be bought with the grant, so a mail truck was purchased to be modified by automotive students.

According to DeStefano, students will be able to add a window, a door, a service counter, and other associated amenities.

The grant specialist said the school was able to buy a welder, and automotive students were able to work with a master welder and the new equipment in an “in-class field trip.”

DeStefano also said consultants were working to design the inside of the food truck. The layout draft was sent to the computer-aided design teacher who created a lesson that prompted students to design their own version after taking measurements of the truck.

“We’re still hoping for Earth Day [Festival] 2024 to see it come to fruition,” said DeStefano, concluding on the topic. “Burritos for everyone, I don’t know, we’ll see.”

In her report, DeStefano also discussed related grant-funded expansions of the dual-enrollment program in the high school, established in partnership with local universities.

Dual-enrollment classes allow students to earn high school and college credits, which, according to Melillo, give students “some college readiness” before graduation.

Reimagining Communications

The third of the superintendent’s goals was to establish “effective channels of communication within the school district,” among all involved.

Melillo connected this to Strategic Priority 4, which concerns strengthening district, family, and community partnership.

In a recent interview with The Newtown Bee, Melillo detailed his areas of focus for this goal, starting with perhaps replacing the Blackboard program which facilitates many class communications among other functions.

The superintendent explained that Blackboard does not communicate with the district’s student information system, which adds intensive work and complicates what must be done between the programs. According to Melillo, there are other programs that accomplish what Blackboard does while speaking to the student information system effectively.

Melillo said he is looking to find an NHS student to help him be “more tech-savvy” in communications, and referenced the student currently working with the athletics department in this area with success.

On top of his regular newsletter, Wednesday office hours, and accessible email and phone number, the superintendent has an ‘X’ (Twitter) and Instagram page.

“Some of that work, whether it’s social media or using different apps and programs are second nature to many of our students,” said Melillo.

The superintendent said the position could be part of a student’s capstone project, volunteer hours, or even a part-time job.

On top of these ideas in the works, Melillo stated the district will redo its “antiquated” website, saying it “has a lot of links and pdf files … but it doesn’t promote our district, and it doesn’t tell a story.”

He said he wants a website that would promote the schools, is easy to navigate, and one where parents can get what they need.

The superintendent stated the endeavor will take 18 to 24 months, but the district can expect gradual changes to pages over time until the website is “brand new.”

Associated objectives included consistently distributing information to all parties concerning updates in curriculum, budget, safety protocols and other important matters, and implementing strategies for clear crisis communication.

The superintendent also highlighted goals of establishing effective two-way communication, enhancing digital communication, and implementing district recognition and celebration of accomplishments of students, teachers, and staff into communication practices.

Budgetary Practices

The final goal Melillo detailed in the document concerned district budgetary practices, which he connected to the strategic priorities concerning learning opportunities, preparing students for life beyond graduation, and “attracting, retaining, and developing an exceptional and diverse faculty and staff.”

“It’s still early in the budget process right now, we’re just collecting data points,” Melillo told The Newtown Bee.

Melillo explained he has ideas for the budget, citing past conversations with school leaders and his team, including that he anticipates more conversations. He added he has to be aware of the current economic environment not being conducive to some district families, referencing gas and grocery prices.

“I always have to take into account balancing the needs of our students, and also understanding that I have families that I need to be cognizant of,” the superintendent continued. “I can’t price the school district at such a high level where people are going to be hurting on the other end.”

“It’s really striking that balance and ensuring students get what they need, but also making sure we do it in a way that … makes sense for our residents,” said Melillo.

Objectives for the fourth goal included communication within district administration and maintaining a “timely,” “understandable” process to the public. It involved reviewing management organizational structure, delivering administrative budget training, and ensuring a process to support a strategic plan among other operational objectives.

As part of district budget process, discussion and possible action on the 2024-2025 Board of Education Budget Assumptions and Priorities was on the agenda for the October 17 meeting.

Board Member Alison Plante moved to approve the 2024-2025 budget assumptions and priorities, seconded by Board Member Don Ramsey.

After discussion which included interest in bringing the strategic plan into the document among other comments, the board voted unanimously to postpone this discussion and action until the next meeting.

The overall sentiment seemed to be that the document presented was a good base, but additional input was needed.

Chair Deborra Zukowski proposed the postponement, adding comments will be “incorporated” into the document and presented at the next board meeting.

Plante then moved to postpone the discussion and possible action on the 2024-2025 budget assumptions and priorities, seconded by Board Member Higgins. The movement passed unanimously.

The superintendent’s goals can be found in the minutes for the September 5, 2023 Board of Education meeting on its website.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.