Cheshire scores eighth statewide on District Performance Index; superintendent highlights high value relative to spending

Superintendent Jeff Solon presented the District Performance Index (the Next Generation Accountability dataset from the Connecticut State Department of Education), saying Cheshire earned strong marks across most indicators and ranked eighth in the state with an index score of 85.43.

"We represent an incredibly high value," Solon said, noting Cheshire achieved perfect band scores for ELA, math and science performance for all students, plus full marks for the percentage of students taking college- and career-readiness courses and postsecondary entrance rate. He said the system uses 12 indicators (with subsets) including academic achievement, participation, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates for different student groups, physical fitness and arts access.

Solon contrasted Cheshire's per-pupil expenditure ($20,008.16) with the average PPE of the state's top 20 systems ($24,492), noting that matching that average would increase the district budget by roughly $15.5 million (or an estimated $11.6 million after a 25% regional cost adjustment). He characterized Cheshire as delivering high performance relative to spending.

Board members asked for clarifications about data gaps in 2021 (assessments disrupted by COVID) and small year‑to‑year changes: chronic absenteeism for the district dipped marginally (90.6% of points earned to 90.4%), and some subgroup indicators held steady. Solon emphasized the district's focus on instruction and social-emotional learning alongside achievement measures.

The board thanked administration for the presentation and asked staff to make the underlying slides and data available online for deeper review.

Ending: Board members praised the results and asked for follow-up materials; no formal vote or policy action was taken on the index at the meeting.