WESTFORD — Westford Public Schools is working to strengthen special education procedures, improve communication with families, and expand mental health services.
During the Oct. 19 School Committee meeting, the district’s new Director of Special Education and Social-Emotional Learning, Melissa Boylan, presented an overview of her first 90 days in the position, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve consistency and support for students across the district.
Boylan acknowledged that the district received findings through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Integrated Monitoring Review, which examines school districts’ compliance with state and federal education requirements.
In response, the department has begun reviewing existing procedures, conducting internal audits, and providing additional professional development for staff.
One priority is to ensure that families have more consistent experiences with special education services, regardless of which Westford school their children attend. Boylan said feedback collected through the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council indicated that families’ experiences sometimes differed between school buildings. To address those inconsistencies, district leaders are working to align procedures, improve staff training, and strengthen collaboration between schools.
Another priority involves moving beyond procedural compliance toward a more student-centered approach to special education planning.
One planned improvement involves providing families with information-gathering materials ahead of meetings, giving parents and caregivers additional time to identify their concerns. The department has also introduced regular communications to families, including information about special education contacts at individual schools and monthly departmental updates.
Beyond procedural improvements, the district is expanding access to student mental health services.
Westford has extended its partnership with Cartwheel Care, a provider of mental health counseling services for students, to the middle school level after previously being offered at Westford Academy. The service is intended to help students who need counseling, but may face barriers to accessing outside mental health providers.
The district is also working to standardize social-emotional learning and anti-bullying instruction across elementary schools. The goal is to ensure students receive consistent instruction regardless of which elementary school they attend.
School Committee members expressed support for the department’s efforts, particularly its focus on addressing inconsistencies between buildings and improving relationships with families.
Boylan emphasized that the changes represent an ongoing process, with continued procedural reviews, staff collaboration and family outreach planned throughout the school year.
