Defining the future - at least in the short-term - for Northport Public School was a major topic of discussion for the Northport Board of Education Monday night

During a work session, the board planned to discuss goals for superintendent Tyrus Wessell for the coming school year, and continue its review of the school board policy. Instead, each board member talked about what goals they would like both the district and Wessell to achieve this year and in the future.

“We didn’t get to the policy review. It was a very productive discussion, talking about what goals we want to achieve this year for our students,” Wessell said Tuesday in a phone report.

The most important goal for all board members is student achievement, Wessell said. With enrollment expected to be around 159 students this fall, nearly the same as the 2006-07 school year, board members said Wessell and the professional staff should continue to refine the individual learning plans set up for each student.

“With the individual learning program, the board wants up to beef it up and I agree there is more we can do,” Wessell said. As an example, high school students will undergo individual computerized assessment. Wessell said the assessment will better show where each student needs to improve. “Rather than us just reviewing what classes a student has taken, the computerized assessment allows us to determine in what areas the student most needs to improve,” he said.

Other goals or areas of improvement the board would like to see include better integration of technology, fine arts and foreign language in the school’s curriculum. Wessell said the school has established a good Spanish language program, starting as early as the second grade. “The board wants to make sure we don’t lose that focus, that we keep striving to improve the curriculum,” he said.

Board members were also concerned about multi-age classrooms, like the merging of the second and third grade classes this year due to lower enrollment figures. Wessell said the challenge for the school will be making sure the classroom’s teacher does not “teach to the middle.”

“We have to make sure all the student are challenged in their learning,” he said.

One of the final topics discussed involved ensuring that the school was helping students to succeed both in Northport and after graduation as well. Wessell said the best way the school can achieve the goal is to make sure its students are prepared for college and the world beyond Northport Public School.

Wessell will take the discussion points and develop a list of long- and short-term goals for himself and the district.

The school board will gather again at its regular business meeting on Monday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in the school library.