From improving the emotional lives of students to making the budget process more transparent, Superintendent Doug White shared strides made on achieving those and other goals during his mid-year review.

On Thursday, White updated the Joint School Committee on five goals he’s been working towards. Established in September, the goals include improving technology access, students’ well being and faculty leadership training.

After learning about new social/emotional initiatives for students, a robust focus on teacher development and expanded technology in classrooms, committee members praised White and administrators.

“We are grateful for all the work done,” said committee member Sharon Hartley. “This is an excellent school district, and one of the things that makes a difference is consistent, dedicated leadership.”

“I second that,” said member Cynthia Johnson.

However, White was told to provide comprehensive financial information to school committees before each town’s Annual Town Meeting, where voters will debate the budget.

One of White's goals included working with school and community leaders to develop four budgets that support the district’s vision, mission and goals.

Committee member James Higgins stressed that goal's significance.

“One of his most important roles is to identify and educate us on the regional budget issue,” Higgins said.

Hartley agreed, adding that collaboration between each town is key.

“I would encourage him to give us as much information in that area as possible,” Hartley said. “Our problem is we have three elementary districts, and a regional district, and we war against each other.”

The budget process at the state and local level is well underway. Next week, Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to release his proposed budget. In early spring, state legislators will present their budget.

White said he will inform committee members when those numbers are released.

Regarding technology, White was pleased to say that implementing one-on-one technology, in the form of Chromebook laptops, is on the rise.

He reported that the number of devices increased from 350 to 1,070 across the district, and new infrastructure was installed to ensure students had high-speed Internet access.

White is also increasing the number of teacher leaders in all schools across the district. By June, he hoped that number would improve by 50 percent or more.

Currently, there are no more than two teacher leaders in each school.

“There’s not a structure that supports teacher leadership,” White said. “We’re trying to provide more opportunities in each school.”

White plans to achieve that through internship opportunities with administrators and other professional development programs.

At the presentation’s end, White said progress had been made towards meeting those goals, but the work isn’t finished.

“We’re at the halfway point,” White said. “There’s a lot more work to be done, a lot more effort to be put forth.”