Superintendent outlines goals, reports most K–8 classes meet district size guidelines

WORCESTER COUNTY, Mass. — Superintendent Dr. Riley reported to the Wachusett Regional School Committee that the district’s fall class-size update shows 81% of K–8 classrooms fall within the committee’s recommended guidelines and that the bulk of exceptions are concentrated at Naquog, where class sizes are near 20 rather than significantly over the limit.

The superintendent said the guidelines — 19 students for grades K–2, 22 for grades 3–5 and 23 for grades 6–8 — are recommendations, not strict mandates, and that administrators are monitoring kindergarten enrollment closely because it can swing from year to year. “One of the positions we’ve put in this year’s budget is an additional 0.5 interventionist at Naquog,” Dr. Riley said, noting the staffing change is intended to support classrooms where numbers are slightly above targets.

Why it matters: Committee members raised concerns about capacity and staffing pressure in Rutland-area schools and asked when the district should consider additions, modular classrooms or redistricting. Dr. Riley said the district will use population projections and the ongoing facilities review to set clear triggers for those decisions.

Members also discussed opening school choice to younger grades to prioritize siblings. Amber Woodland, a committee member, described parents’ inquiries about whether siblings could be allowed into the “school-choice pipeline” before high school. Dr. Riley said the district is open to a phased approach: “Maybe we open three to five seats at a grade level, use an application and a lottery, and give additional weight to applicants with siblings,” he said.

The superintendent framed much of the discussion within his broader goals report. He said district priorities include adopting aligned, standards-based curricula (K–5 ELA is rolling out), expanding STEAM/Project Lead The Way positions across K–8, and implementing a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) that has allowed the district to add interventionists to help youngest learners. Dr. Riley also highlighted work to improve communications — new district and school websites, better report-card PDFs, and an SMS broadcast system.

On data and student supports, the district has expanded use of the Panorama platform for social–emotional and student-success data. Dr. Riley said the tool is linked to PowerSchool and can combine SEL surveys, attendance and benchmark data so principals and teams can identify students who need interventions. He said some building-level staff are using the system well but acknowledged districtwide implementation remains a work in progress.

What’s next: The goals and evaluation subcommittee asked committee members to submit feedback via a Google form by April 10 so the subcommittee can draft a summative evaluation for the full committee to consider later in April. The district also expects a facilities-review draft to be shared with towns later this spring to inform long-range capacity planning.