EASTHAMPTON — As Maureen Binienda finishes up her first week and a half as interim superintendent, she and the School Committee have already discussed one-year goals for her oversight.

Some of those goals include rebuilding trust within the community, examining enrollment numbers, and investigating bullying in school, all of which were discussed at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting.

“You hit the ground running which was really nice,” Committee Chairwoman Cynthia Kwiecinski said to Binienda about her first week as interim superintendent. “Boy you had lots of questions, but you also had lots of answers … I think it’s going to be a very balanced year.”

After several tumultuous months this spring, which included a failed search for a permanent superintendent that gained national attention, along with the resignation of two School Committee members, the committee placed particular emphasis on communication and community building as important goals for the upcoming year.

“The last few months have been some additional trying elements in terms of communication … and how we are seen in our community,” said member Marin Goldstein. “There’s so much incredible work that’s being done by our students, by our staff, by our administrators and I think it’s always an opportunity to highlight that.” 

Committee member Ben Hersey added, “It would be really helpful to find creative and healing ways to try to support families to come together. I don’t know if that’s listening sessions … just chances to bring people together.”

Member Megan Ward Harvey suggested the possibility of releasing some form of “easy-to-digest information that comes out regularly,” along with parent forums to give parents more opportunities to be involved and have their voices heard.

In addition to community building, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle proposed a deep dive on enrollment numbers, which have decreased according to recent Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education data, which will be reassessed in October. 

“As we’re talking about the budget of our district and also the efforts we’re making, I’d like to follow up on what do we have, don’t we have, or … the reasons why students don’t stay with us pre-K to 12,” said LaChapelle. 

Committee members also briefly discussed other goals, including looking into student discipline methods, technology issues around artificial intelligence and ChatGPT, and a rise in bullying in schools. 

Kwiecinski encouraged Binienda to connect with students, teachers and programs at the schools, something she said that Binienda had talked extensively about during her interview. 

“I’m hoping that is something that you can start right from the beginning,” said Kwiecinski. “I do think students and staff and kids benefit from being able to see their superintendent and talking about the things that are on their mind, good and bad,” she said, and re-emphasized the possibility of introducing parent forums. 

Binienda said, after her first six days on the job, “I have to say it is a really nice district. You know, I feel fortunate that I’m gonna get to work here this year and to work with all of you, and to work with a really talented staff.” 

Binienda just finished up one year as the interim superintendent of The Quaboag Regional School District. Prior to that, Binienda worked in Worcester Public Schools for more than four decades, the last six as superintendent. 

Binienda replaced Superintendent Allison LeClair, who retired after five years with the Easthampton School District, on July 1. At Tuesday’s meeting, School Committee members expressed their gratitude and well wishes for LeClair, repeatedly recognizing her leadership as “unflappable” in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the construction of the new Mountain View School. 

Maddie Fabian can be reached at mfabian@gazettenet.com or on Twitter @Maddie Fabian]]>