The Andover School Committee votes Thursday on Superintendent Keith Taverna's first-year goals and the 2027-28 school year calendar.
The committee meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in the School Committee Room on the second floor of the School Administration Building. The meeting will also be broadcast on Comcast Channel 99, Verizon Channel 43 and streamed at andover46.com.
Taverna's goals up for vote
Thursday's vote on Taverna's goals is a second reading. He first presented them to the committee on Sept. 18, the Eagle Tribune reported.
State regulations require superintendents to set a professional practice goal, a student learning goal and at least two district improvement objectives, Chair Shauna Murray told the Eagle Tribune. Taverna's plan spans family engagement, middle school science curriculum, high school planning and his own professional development.
His district improvement objectives include launching a family welcome center on Bartlet Street and rolling out the ParentSquare communications platform. His student learning goal focuses on implementing a new lab-aids science curriculum in the middle schools. His professional practice goal involves participation in a superintendent induction program and development of an entry plan. He also plans to partner with the committee on long-term planning for Andover High School's infrastructure.
"It'll be a first point for families, particularly new ones if they need some sort of resource," Taverna told the Eagle Tribune in September about the planned welcome center. The district expects the center to open by December, staffed part-time to serve all families, including those needing special education and translation services. The idea grew out of a state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education monitoring report on English learner programs released in spring 2026.
At an Aug. 6 workshop on the high school's future, Taverna said supporting the committee's work on the high school project would become one of his professional goals for the year.
The School Committee appointed Taverna superintendent on June 15 after he served as interim beginning in March. He has more than 17 years of experience in public education, according to the Andover Townsman.
Six policies get first readings
The committee will also hold first readings on six policies:
- KJA — Relations with booster organizations
- KBE — Relations with parent organizations
- KBG — Parent advisory councils (a new policy from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees)
- GBEBC — Gifts to and solicitations by staff
- JJE — Student fundraising activities
- EEAEA — Bus driver exam and training
First readings introduce proposed policy language. A second reading and vote would follow at a future meeting.
Other agenda items
The agenda also includes an extended school year update, student activity account approvals and an Oct. 1 preliminary report. The Policy Subcommittee meets separately on Friday, Oct. 2, at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss bullying prevention policy and a technology assessment.
