In November 2018, Mayfield Central School District was placed on a list of schools in need of improvement based on accountability standards of the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The junior-senior high school was included on the list as a comprehensive support and improvement school.
“The district is being removed from the New York State Education Department’s list of schools in need of improvement! We are no longer a target district,” said Superintendent Christopher Harper. “The high school also made it off that list as a comprehensive support and improvement school. This leaves no district school buildings identified.
“Working our way off of one of these lists was due to the hard work of everyone involved, and it is a big win for our school district.” Harper continued. “Over the past several years, our school district has had to develop plans with our school faculty, staff and community to address and improve student achievement through parent engagement activities, professional development, and adjustments in general instructional practices.
“Our faculty and staff have worked hard, and our families have played a critical role. Without their ongoing support and effort, our school teams would not be able to do the good work they’ve been doing with our students. We will continue to collaborate and work together to ensure our wonderful partnerships that have been built through this process can continue into the future.
“Each and every member of our school district’s faculty and staff, from teachers to transportation, to facilities, to food services, to office staff, and beyond, plays a vital role each and every day in the education of our children. Likewise, each and every member of our local community plays a vital role in supporting the education of our children,” Harper said. “We appreciate and thank all of them.
“Congratulations to all in our school district and to the entire Mayfield community. Go Panthers!”
In the photo: Celebrating committee members, from left: Executive Principal John Bishop, teachers Helen Rebisz, Kristine Goodemote and Pam King, and school counselor Graham Pritchard
Background information on ESSA:
New York State school accountability status is based on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a law that outlines how states can use federal money to support public schools. In January 2018, the federal government approved New York State’s plan to spend the approximately $1.6 billion the state receives annually under ESSA.
New York State is committed to ensuring that all students succeed and thrive in school no matter who they are, where they live, where they go to school, or where they come from. Mayfield Central School District was placed on the list in November of 2018, the first year that new accountability statuses were assigned under the ESSA.