WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield School Committee discussed a variety of topics during its Sept. 25 meeting, including the creation of a new Social Emotional Learning Coordinator position, updates on the first Community Outreach Task Force and details on the progression of the Phillip G. Coburn School.  

Vice Chair Nancy Farrell filled in for Mayor and Chair William Reichelt for the first quarter of the meeting. After hearing from the Committee’s student representative, who spoke about the happenings within the high school, she asked Superintendent Michael Richard to deliver his report.

The highlights of his report focused on the establishment of a new Social Emotional Learning Coordinator position, which aims to provide overall support for projects related to SEL in schools and out-of-school-time programs.  

“Our first order of business is that the school department is looking to shift some staffing around and create a Social Emotional Learning Coordinator, which will satisfy some of our district improvement planning objectives,” said Richard. “The position is one that would have no cost to the district.”

He continued to say that the position would be funded using a combination of Title I and Title IV entitlement grants.

Richard also added that the position would be posted for the remainder of the year as a trial run.

“My expectation would be that we post this only for the year, and we see how it works out and we determine whether the grant funding will continue,” he said. “I certainly do not want to come to you looking to create a position that may not have a life expectancy based on the funding available. I want to be very cautious and aware about that and not place a burden on the Town.”

The Superintendent then moved on to make his announcements.

He touched on the new Community Outreach Task Force, which he organized in early September. The task force seeks to address issues of education and communication in the community. The volunteer group will work to identify best practices for improving family engagement and figuring out strategies to effectively track and measure communication within the district.

The group met for the second time on Sept. 24, Richard told the Committee. He said it is “finalizing the mission” and that the subcommittee work will begin at the next meeting.

“Look for regular updates from this collaborative group beginning in the near future,” he stated. “Finding the time to get all interested parties together is a challenge. One, however, we are going to take on and bring in as many people together. Hopefully, once the subcommittees are formed, and we can bring smaller groups of people together, it will be a bit easier.”

After several public presentations, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kevin McQuillian provided some updates on the future for the Coburn school.

McQuillian mentioned that the building committee sent its preferred schematic option to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and that a tentative meeting with the MSBA is set for Oct. 31. The new school could potentially open its doors in the fall of 2022.