New Superintendent Outlines Goals for Abington Schools
Dr. Felicia Moschella presents student achievement and communication plans for 2024-2025
ABINGTON, MA - September 24 - Abington Public Schools' new superintendent, Dr. Felicia Moschella, presented her goals for the 2024-2025 school year at the school committee meeting September 24, focusing on student achievement, success for all learners, and improved communication between schools and families.
Moschella, who recently began participating in the new superintendent induction program, outlined her core values and entry plan to the committee.
"Relationships matter. Fostering strong, respectful relationships with everyone in the school community is very important," Moschella said, emphasizing her belief in collaboration and teamwork.
Her student learning goals aim to achieve MCAS average scores at or above the Massachusetts state average and expand knowledge and instructional strategies to foster deeper learning for all students.
To accomplish these goals, Moschella plans to implement and utilize iReady, review MCAS and early literacy results, and provide multi-tiered systems of support and intervention for students.
"We'll take the next month or so to look at data. Is there anything that jumps out that we need to be immediately changing? How are we going to use that data to inform instruction within our classrooms?" Moschella said.
Professional practice goals include leading learning walks, participating in the new superintendent induction program, and enhancing district-wide communication.
Moschella emphasized the importance of aligning her goals with the district's strategic plan, ensuring a through line from district-level objectives to individual teacher goals.
"My goals are aligned to our strategic plan. Then all the principal goals will be aligned to my goals. The school improvement plans will be aligned to my goals in the strategic plan, and then teachers' goals," she explained.
The school committee unanimously approved Moschella's goals for the upcoming school year.
In other business, the committee appointed Jessica Johnson as the school committee representative to the Abington Community Access & Media (CAM) board of directors. Johnson has served in this role since 2021 and has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between Abington CAM and the school department.
The district also began its budget planning process for the 2026 fiscal year. Sarah Gainey, Director of Finance and Operations, presented the budget development and article planning schedule.
Key dates in the process include:
- Late October 2024: Budget documents sent to principals, department heads, and directors
- Dec. 5-9, 2024: Budget proposal review meetings
- Jan. 7, 2025: Preliminary budget presentation to the school committee
- April 7, 2025: Town meeting vote on the final FY26 budget and article requests
"With this schedule laid out as described, would you consider a motion to approve the FY26 budget development and article planning schedule?" Gainey asked the committee, which subsequently approved the timeline.
The committee also discussed upcoming events, including parent-teacher conferences and the Boosters door-to-door fundraiser in October.
Committee member Heidi Hernandez reminded parents to check if they have current CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) forms on file if they plan to volunteer at school events.
"The worst thing is when you have to tell someone they can't because they don't have a CORI on file," Hernandez said.
Dr. Moschella advised that parents can email or call the central office to check their CORI status.
The next school committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School library.