Winchester School Committee Unanimously Backs Literacy Curriculum Article for Town Meeting

WINCHESTER — March 20, 2026 — Winchester School Committee advances free-cash article for K-5 literacy curriculum and adopts superintendent's biannual evaluation. The committee voted unanimously March 19 to co-sponsor a Spring Town Meeting article appropriating an as-yet-undisclosed sum from free cash for full implementation of a K-5 evidence-based literacy curriculum in the 2026-27 school year, capping a two-year review process led by the district's Early Literacy Team that piloted two programs — Arts and Letters by Great Minds and EL Education's K-5 Language Arts curriculum. The exact cost is expected when the ELT presents its formal recommendation at the March 26 public meeting. The committee also unanimously accepted Superintendent Dr. Matt Hackett's summative evaluation under a biannual cycle, with Vice Chair Dr. Ayesha Menyarji citing an "exemplary" personal rating on the management and operations standard; the next evaluation is set for March 2028. The evening closed with farewell remarks from outgoing member Michelle Bergstrom, completing nine years of service.