September 9, 2026 - Board Brief

The September 9, 2026 Board of Education meeting opened with Dr. McKersie’s Superintendent Report, highlighting the energy of the new school year and updates from across the District. 📚

Dr. McKersie led off with Superintendent Conference Day, featuring the Opening Convocation and keynote address, “The Student Perspective,” delivered by Hastings High School Senior and Board of Education Student Liaison Joaquin Toledo-Chae, Class of 2027. He also shared highlights from the first days of school at Hillside, Farragut Middle School, and Hastings High School, including the kindergarten Meet the Teachers, FMS’s summer Meet and Greet, and the Senior Class of 2027 welcoming students back.

Dr. McKersie then reviewed the District’s 2025-26 Distraction-Free Schools Policy Enforcement Report, emphasizing how the policy was implemented across grades 5-12 and the number of violations and interventions during the school year. He provided an update on the Farragut Complex traffic pilot, including how the pilot has been going, what has been working well, and some of the challenges that have emerged. He also shared an update on fall athletics. In addition, Dr. McKersie reminded families about the District’s “Whom to Contact” resource, which identifies the appropriate staff member to contact when questions or concerns arise. Reaching out to the educators directly working with a student is the most productive first step. Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo, Director of Equity, Opportunity and Belonging, joined Dr. McKersie to provide an update on the 8th Grade Exploring Equity course plan and address concerns regarding the syllabus. 🏫

Business Official Maureen Caraballo provided a Business & Operations Update 🏗️ highlighting continued construction progress, including the completed retaining wall, ongoing drainage and backfilling, and additional site work. Several project adjustments are being addressed, including baseball improvements and additional safety measures, while the project remains well below the Board-authorized budget. Maureen also reviewed strengthened safety and security protocols and provided an update on the new student identification and building access system, which is expected to be operational within the next two weeks. 🔐

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Melissa Szymanski, Ed.D., provided a detailed Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Update 📚 highlighting work across technology, ELA, mathematics, and science. The District continues to focus on purposeful use of instructional technology, including discernment regarding when technology is used and what is being accessed at the middle school. The High School English Department has begun exploring AI while prioritizing authentic learning and academic integrity. The K-12 Mathematics Committee continued developing a shared mathematics vision aligned with State priorities and the Portrait of a Hastings Learner, while the Science Department strengthened Grade 7 curriculum alignment with P-12 Science Learning Standards.

Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Genieve Holder provided a Districtwide Referral, Reevaluation and Assessment Protocols Update 📋 focused on strengthening and standardizing processes across the District. New protocols will provide greater consistency from the identification of student concerns through referral, evaluation, committee review, and reevaluation. The department is also implementing Pearson’s digital assessment platform and providing staff training to support consistent assessment practices, with the goal of improving referrals, reducing delays, strengthening evaluation practices, and ensuring compliance across the District.

🗓️ The next Board of Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hillside Multi-Purpose Room. A feature of the meeting will be a comprehensive update on the Capital Bond from the construction manager, engineers and architects.

🎥 Missed the meeting? Watch the full recording, including all presentations and discussions HERE.