The first Rochester School Committee meeting of the year was held Thursday at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Memorial School will be taking action to improve progress in English/language arts for the special education sub-group and mathematics for the entire school. Reports from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) released test results in the spring of this year showing need for improvement in both fields, respectively.

Principal Jay Ryan said that although measures need to be taken, it was important to mention the school is still deemed "very high performing" in math and "high performing" in English/language arts.

"These designations do not mean we are a 'failing' school," Ryan said. "These results are reflective of a year-long testing process. We're simply making strides, and we are fortunate to have high expectations from MCAS that we will continue to make progress."

Letters to Rochester Memorial School parents explaining these designations were slated to be handed out at the school's open house on Aug. 26 but it was cancelled due to bad weather. Ryan said information packets will be sent out Tuesday, Sept. 6. He added that the school will have a grand opening Sunday, Oct. 2 and will be addressing the issue further.

In other business:

The school district is seeking a new food services director.

The committee was unanimously pleased with the new school building and how smoothly the first week of school went.