WESTFORD — The School Committee reflected on feedback from a community planning event, where residents shared input on the district’s long-term strategic priorities.
School Committee officials said 32 people responded to a survey conducted both online and in person during the event. Superintendent Christopher Chew opened the session by providing an overview of the district’s current strategic plan and previewing the next plan, which will guide the schools from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2030.
Chew outlined four guiding strategic objectives presented to attendees. One of the objectives focuses on equity, including embedding equity-centered practices into curriculum and instruction and reviewing district organizational structures to ensure all students have access to fair and inclusive learning environments.
A third objective prioritizes social-emotional well-being, with an emphasis on supporting the mental health and wellness of both students and staff. This includes examining ways to reduce academic and social-emotional pressures that can negatively affect performance and engagement.
The fourth objective centers on sustainability, calling for collaboration with town partners to support goals outlined in Westford’s Climate Roadmap. The effort aligns school initiatives with broader community climate goals.
The survey, conducted through ThoughtExchange, asked community members which strategic objectives they believed would have the greatest impact. Chew said the platform was designed to give all participants’ comments equal visibility.
Several respondents noted that the survey required significant time and consideration, and some said they were unsure what questions they would be asked before starting.
“If we were to use that exact same survey and push it out into the community, then I would draft a longer narrative,” Chew said. “I would even include telling people what the questions are going to be so they can be thinking about the questions.”
Chew said improving the survey’s user-friendliness should be a priority. School Committee member Jessica Silverman agreed, emphasizing the importance of making the information more accessible to families.
“It serves a functional purpose within the system and communicates what we are prioritizing to the community,” Silverman said. “It might be worth having a translated version that says, ‘Here’s what this means in your daily life.’”
Vice Chair Valery Young said the event helped highlight gaps the committee may have overlooked.
“It’s hard to look at this and think about what’s not on here until somebody says it,” Young said.
Chair Kathryn Clear said the district will continue collecting data and expanding outreach efforts.
“It was really good Monday night to see new faces and have the opportunity to talk a bit more,” Clear said.
