Stoughton has emerged as the highest-performing district for English Language Learners in the southeastern Massachusetts region, officials announced Tuesday, even as the school system grapples with a significant surge in special education enrollment and a growing debate over meeting formats. Multilingual Director Amy Qualey reported that Stoughton outperformed neighboring districts including Brockton, Randolph, and New Bedford, achieving a 56% progress rate for students acquiring English proficiency. Qualey noted the district has seen a 54% growth in English learners since 2020, with the Wilkins School currently hosting the highest concentration of these students. For 2024 and 2025, we were the highest performing EL district of all the districts in our southeastern hub, Qualey told the committee. That made me pretty proud because we worked hard to get that 56% progress.

The success comes despite shifting demographics and challenges with older students. Elizabeth Dupree, Assistant Multilingual Director, assisted in presenting data showing the district is currently serving approximately 600 English learners, with Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish as the top three primary languages. Member Jillian Distefano inquired about the timeline for student advancement through proficiency levels, asking, How is that determined, and how long do children typically last in each level? Qualey explained that while the state allows six years for proficiency, students typically spend the most time in intermediate levels three and four. To support native language literacy, the district has launched a Portuguese pilot program at the middle school level. We would love to get Portuguese in particular at the elementary level, Qualey added.

The district is also seeing a sharp uptick in specialized student needs. Director of Special Education Ed Clark revealed that 209 students moved into the district since July 1, with 51 of those arrivals already possessing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The district’s special education population has risen to 20.9%, now exceeding the state average. Clark highlighted the success of the district’s calming rooms, which recently received an Exemplary Practice rating from state monitors for a new QR-code tracking system. However, Clark noted inconsistencies in state evaluations regarding classroom layouts at different schools. At the Gibbons, they said having three sub-separate classrooms across the hall was a 'cluster' and not appropriate, Clark said, noting that a similar setup at the Dawe went unmentioned by a different reviewer. So, there'll be a rebuttal.

Member Jenn Sears raised questions regarding the intersection of language and disability, asking, What do you do when you get a student who is special ed in their own language? Qualey emphasized that the district is increasing bilingual testing to ensure dual experts are involved in those placements. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Baeta added that despite potential federal shifts, Massachusetts remains committed to strong regulations, stating, The core has to be to try to test that student in their native language.

Fiscal transparency took center stage when the committee reviewed a proposed Kindergarten field trip to the Providence Children's Museum. Member Karen Powers expressed concern over the lack of specific transportation and ticket costs in the briefing materials. It would be nice to know the cost before we vote on it, Powers said. Motion Made by K. Powers to table the field trip approval until financial information is provided. Motion Passed (4-0-0). Additionally, Vice Chair Armando Barbosa updated the board on a letter sent to the Select Board requesting that the School Committee be included in the development of new town financial policies stemming from the Collins Report. We'd like to see it during the process so we don't wait until the end and then it's set in stone, Barbosa noted.

In his report, Superintendent Baeta took aim at state-wide employee attendance reporting, challenging data that showed some districts having perfect 100% attendance. I don't know how two communities didn't have bereavement or maternity leave happen, Baeta said, adding that while he won't shame educators, the district is holding individual meetings with staff who fail to meet attendance expectations. Director of HR Jonathan Colantonio clarified that current state data fails to exclude substantial medical or parental leaves, which can skew local perceptions. The data as published does not exclude or take into consideration things like parental leaves, Colantonio said.

The meeting began with a stark public comment from resident Ms. Small, read into the record by Dr. Baeta. Small expressed discontent with the selection of the new South School location on Park Street, citing the toxic environment of firearms in the country. I believe the new edifice should be built on the existing location... the open main street location [is] a sitting duck for possible unsavory firearms activity, the letter stated. Chair Chris Shannon thanked the resident for the feedback before moving to district business.

Internal tensions briefly flared regarding the format of future meetings. After Chair Shannon announced that the December 9 meeting would be virtual, Member Powers argued for an in-person requirement. When did we vote to make that virtual? Powers asked. We're supposed to be here in person. We don't have a boss. Despite her objection, other members felt the flexibility was standard practice for the board. Motion Made by J. Distefano to keep the December 9, 2025 meeting as a virtual meeting. Motion Passed (3-1-0), with Powers casting the dissenting vote.