State approves Randolph schools' plan
Strategy prevents district's takeover
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously approved a plan yesterday to turn around the beleaguered Randolph school district, averting a state takeover.
Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester recommended approval of the two-year plan, crafted by the school district over the last few months.
In a memorandum to the board, Chester praised the plan's emphasis on overhauling the curriculum, especially in mathematics, improving performance of special-education students, and raising the Randolph community's confidence in the schools.
Chester also said that town's approval in April of a nearly $5.5 million property tax increase to support the schools showed that the community was willing to take responsibility for improving the district.
"I am convinced that Randolph leaders have taken initial positive steps to craft a new, more collaborative working relationship with a shared focus on improving the quality of public education in the Randolph schools," Chester wrote.
A partnership, rather than a state takeover, is the approach the board has favored with other troubled districts. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will now develop a plan to monitor Randolph's progress and provide assistance.
The board designated Randolph an underperforming district last November because of declining student achievement and massive budget cuts. Until April, voters of the town south of Boston had rejected property tax increases for its schools, leading to millions of dollars in cuts and an exodus of many students.
"Obviously we are very pleased the board approved the plan and showed support for the work we are doing," said Larry Azer, chairman of the Randolph School Committee. "They also expressed [that] they would work with us for the next couple of years to make sure what we are working on is sustainable."
The two-year turnaround plan is part of a five-year plan developed by the district to boost student academic performance, programs, and courses, Azer said.
James Vaznis can be reached at jvaznis@globe.com.
