CONCORD — A newly released state review by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) commends Concord Public Schools (CPS) and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District (CCRSD) for effective leadership, strong teacher retention, and inclusive strategic planning. However, it also calls for improvements in educator evaluations, school-to-home communication, and workforce diversity.
The findings stem from a 2025 Targeted District Review conducted in the spring by the American Institutes for Research, which evaluated leadership, human resources, professional development, and financial operations across the two districts. The findings were announced publicly in a September 19 press release from Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter.
Communication, feedback, and equity flagged as areas for growth
Among the most notable findings of the report were shortcomings in the way the district evaluates both administrators and teachers. For instance, only two out of 15 teacher evaluations (13 percent) reviewed included “feedback indicating areas for improvement,” the report noted, adding that teachers with professional status “do not always receive a lot of feedback in their evaluations.”
“One teacher noted that for teachers with professional status, ‘observations are less frequent, and the evaluation process as a whole is more of a procedural check boxes type situation rather than something where seasoned teachers are receiving much feedback about improving our practice,'” the report stated.
Similarly, administrator evaluations lacked meaningful feedback. While all eight administrators were rated as “exemplary” across every standard and “exceeded” their SMART goals—defined as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—the report noted that none of the evaluations included feedback for each standard.
“None of the evaluations reviewed included feedback for each standard, including evaluator feedback citing each administrator’s strengths and areas for improvement, yet all administrative staff were evaluated as ‘exemplary’ for each standard and ‘exceeded’ for progress toward SMART goals,” the report stated.
Teachers and parents also noted limitations in school-to-home communication. As part of its outreach efforts, the district holds monthly drop-in meetings where teachers and staff are invited to share feedback directly with the superintendent. However, one teacher said the sessions had “fizzled out” over time and described them as “awkward,” noting that the presence of building administrators made it difficult to speak openly about school-level concerns. Similarly, although parents reported receiving consistent communication at the district and school levels, they agreed that teacher-to-parent communication about student performance at the classroom level was inconsistent and largely dependent on individual teachers. One parent said this variability reflected a broader “lack of institutional approach” to classroom-level communication.
Workforce diversity remains another stated goal. Despite intentional recruitment practices and community-supported DEIB initiatives, district data shows racial and ethnic disparities persist between the student body and teaching staff.
According to the report (from 2023 – 2024):
- In CCRSD, 8.7% of students identified as Asian, but only 3.1% of teachers did. Likewise, while 72.5% of students identified as White, 90.1% of educators did.
- In CPS, 8% of students identified as Hispanic or Latino, compared to just 3.3% of teachers. 71.1% of students were White, versus 89.6% of educators.
Additionally, the report highlighted the need for more consistent classroom walkthrough protocols and increased professional development time—particularly at the secondary level, where “the six hours of professional development in the year…just doesn’t seem adequate” according to one teacher.
Strong leadership, retention, and fiscal planning praised
Despite these areas for improvement, DESE commended both districts for “strong governance and collaborative leadership,” a unified strategic vision, and strong partnerships with town officials. The districts’ 2023–2028 Strategic Plan—developed with input from more than 50 community members and supported by DESE—was described as an actively used tool that informs decisions around budgeting, program evaluation, and school improvement goals.
The review praised Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter and the school committees for advancing equity through data-driven decision-making. One committee member told reviewers, “We really consider ourselves not only advocates but ambassadors for the school district.” Dr. Hunter described the committees as “very much advocates for the schools,” noting that they hold her accountable by requiring data-based progress updates.
According to DESE, the districts’ DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) initiatives were intentionally developed and widely supported, with equity priorities embedded into policy and planning.
Teacher retention was also cited as a bright spot. “Both districts’ teacher retention rates were higher than the state average for the past 3 years,” the report found, with CPS retaining 93.2% of teachers and CCRSD retaining 88.9% in 2025.
The report also highlighted the districts’ transparent budgeting practices, responsive leadership during crises (such as the arrival of newcomer students), and innovative use of grant funds and data systems for sustainability and long-term planning.
Superintendent: Findings reinforce existing goals
“These findings highlight the dedication of our educators to providing students with a world-class education while continuing to grow and improve,” Dr. Hunter said in the district’s September 19 statement. “The report recognizes the strengths we are proud of, and the suggestions it makes are ones we had already identified and are either actively working on or are fully aligned with our strategic goals. This gives us a clear roadmap to continue advancing equity, innovation, and student well-being.”
The full DESE Targeted District Review Report is available on the DESE website. Community members with questions or feedback are encouraged to contact the Superintendent’s Office at (978) 318-1500.