Superintendent updates goals, cites ELA gains, TK growth and rising student engagement

Dr Mosha, superintendent, told the South Whidbey School District board that the district is seeing measurable progress on several superintendent goals, including implementation of a new English language arts curriculum, rollout of transitional kindergarten (TK) that replaced ECap, and rising student engagement.

"We actually are seeing results," Dr Mosha said of ELA classroom work and added that the TK program has an average enrollment of 17 students and shows clear teacher-reported gains that will be reassessed at kindergarten entry. She said the state report shows the elementary school has moved from tier 3 to tier 1, which she called "tremendous progress."

The superintendent highlighted other program successes the district tracks, including South Whidbey Academy graduation outcomes (24 seniors last year, up from 20 previously) and expanded student activities: "we have 80% of our students involved in some kind of extracurricular activity," she said, noting 188 students participated in spring sports alone.

Board members and community participants pressed for clearer measurement of program impact. Dr Mosha cautioned that, because the district is small, some comparisons rely on small sample sizes and qualitative data. "I can measure the graduation rate of our South Whidbey Academy," she said, "what I can't measure is if we didn't have that program would those students graduate a different way." Board members and the superintendent said the recently distributed CE survey (closing March 25) and the Healthy Youth data will be used to refine those metrics.

Community member Gwendy of Freeland urged the district to expand engagement beyond formal board meetings and suggested accessible alternatives for parents; board members pointed to planned community forums, open houses and a recent full bus tour as examples of outreach.

The update also covered facilities and staffing planning. Dr Mosha said the 10-year facilities plan is complete, summer work and long-term roofing and siding plans are underway in coordination with the ongoing bond process, and the district is actively recruiting to replace staff member Dan Pullman with interviews scheduled. She described succession planning as an ongoing priority.

The board did not take formal votes on the goals during the workshop; the presentation concluded with an agreement to review forthcoming survey data and continue integrating the results into district goal-setting.