Littleton School Committee appoints chair to Town Administrator Search Committee

LITTLETON -- May 18, 2023, Littleton School Committee approves curriculum overhaul and names chair to town administrator search panel. The committee voted unanimously at its May 18 meeting to appoint Chair Justin Cripe to the five-member Town Administrator Search Committee, which will interview candidates and present finalists to the Select Board. The meeting was dominated by a State of the Curriculum report in which 6-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator Valerie Finnerty announced the adoption of McGraw-Hill iScience for middle school science, two SAVVAS texts for high school physics, and a new honors organic chemistry course, the first advanced chemistry offering in at least 13 years. Director of Teaching and Learning Alyssa Bestia updated the board on the district's $357,471 ESSER 3 federal pandemic-relief grant, which must be fully expended by September 30, 2024, and noted a potential federal clawback tied to debt ceiling negotiations. Superintendent Dr. Clenchy announced that a comprehensive state TFN review of special education and civil rights compliance concluded without a single finding or corrective action, a result he called rare, crediting Lynn Snow for coordinating the district's response. The committee was also told that the transitional kindergarten program is turning away families due to surging post-COVID demand.