In a brief meeting held on Thursday, November 6, the Swampscott School Committee voted 4–1 to approve Superintendent Jason Calichman’s four-goal plan for the 2025-26 school year, after an extended debate over how tightly those goals should be measured.

This is Calichman’s first set of explicit goals with the School Committee. He stepped into his new role on July 1, following former Superintendent Pamela Angelakis’ retirement. Calichman, who grew up in Swampscott, became the middle school’s assistant principal 13 years ago and had served as its principal for nearly a decade. 

Goal 1: Student Learning and Achievement

Calichman’s first goal focuses on assessing student growth and achievement across kindergarten through twelfth grade by using data from MCAS, i-Ready diagnostics, and the district’s new Open Architect system. Working closely with Director of Teaching and Learning Sarah Kent, he plans to identify areas of strength and weakness, coordinate targeted interventions and expand writing across the curriculum programs.

This goal dominated the discussion Thursday night.
School Committee Member Suzanne Wright pushed for clearer benchmarks.

“We need measurable goals,” Wright said. “Goals need to be something you can evaluate. There has to be a little bit of objectivity, not just subjectivity.”

Others preferred a broader approach, warning that too many metrics could overwhelm a first-year superintendent.

“If we get too prescriptive, he could spend an inordinate amount of time filling out forms instead of leading,” Member John Giantis said.

Calichman offered to refine Goal 1 with year-one milestones.

“I can really focus on what we’re doing this year to make a difference and see where we’re at,” he said.

After extended discussion, members approved the goal as part of the overall plan, with Wright casting the lone nay vote.

Goal 2: District Improvement —Visibility and Community Engagement

The second goal seeks to boost Calichman’s visibility in schools and strengthen relationships with families, students, and community partners. He plans to attend weekly school events, publish a monthly superintendent’s newsletter through ParentSquare and hold community meetings at local gatherings like the farmers’ market and block parties.

Committee members were supportive of this goal, noting that visibility was one of Calichman’s strengths.

“His presence in the schools and the community was a key factor in our selection process,” School Committee Chair Amy O’Connor said.

The plan sets measurable outcomes such as staff and parent surveys targeting 80% or higher satisfaction with district communication and accessibility.

The committee approved the goal without changes.

Goal 3: District Improvement — Leadership and Instructional Quality

Calichman’s third goal focuses on developing leadership and instructional consistency across the district through regular administrative meetings, classroom walkthroughs with principals and stronger professional development.

“The idea is to build a culture of shared learning so every graduate feels prepared whether for Harvard, the military, or the workforce,” Calichman said.

Members praised the goal’s focus on instructional excellence and long-term coherence.

O’Connor called it “a strong statement about preparing students to succeed anywhere.”

This goal was approved as presented.

Goal 4: Professional Practice and Leadership Growth

The final goal emphasizes Calichman’s participation in the New Superintendent Induction Program (NSIP) under mentor Jane Tremblay. Through the program, he will strengthen skills in budget management, data analysis and instructional leadership while building peer connections with North Shore superintendents.

Committee Member Glenn Paster suggested explicitly tracking budget learning as a measurable component, a proposal Calichman said was already included in the goal.

The committee approved Goal 4 without modifications.

Although opinions differed on how specific each goal’s benchmarks should be, members agreed on the need for regular progress reviews.

“We are going to check-in in six months in a way that we have not done in recent years,” O’Connor said. “That will keep the plan alive and working for all of us.”

Wright emphasized that her dissent was about structure, not support.

“I can’t argue a point and not have any changes made and vote yes,” she said.

The School Committee will meet again next week for a financial summit, which was postponed from Thursday. It is set to cover capital priorities with the Select Board and the Finance Committee.