Welcome to the Mahopac Central School District Department of Curriculum and Instruction.  Our department is primarily responsible for ensuring that each child receives the very best education available.  

We do this by focusing on high-quality curriculum, instruction, assessment, and remediation programs.  We also coordinate the professional development of all of our employees ensuring that we are using the most current practices to maximize learning in our MCSD classrooms. 

Mahopac K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Plan

On July 1, 2017,  New York Board of Regents adopted amendments to Commissioner's Regulations related to school counseling. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, each school district shall develop district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance plans which set forth the manner for compliance with this subdivision. Such district and building level plans shall be updated annually, available for review at the district offices and each school building, and made available on the district’s website.  The District's plan which includes building functions can be accessed here:  MCSD Comprehensive K-12 Counseling Program  

Professional Learning

Mahopac Central School District places emphasis on providing staff with high quality, effective professional learning activities, grounded in researched based best practices.  All professional learning functions are coordinated by the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. 

Our current Professional Learning Plan (PLP) can be accessed here.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has released guidance on the PLP which can be accessed here.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a federal program that provides State Educational Agencies (SEA's) such as the New York State Department of Education (NYSED), with funding that can be administered to Local Educational Agencies (LEA's) such as Mahopac Central School District.  ESSA outlines how states can use federal money to support public schools. In January 2018, the federal government approved New York State's ESSA plan. The main goals of New York States ESSA plan include improving academic achievement in Math and English Language Arts, increasing the graduation rate,  improving English Language Proficiency for English Language Learners,  reducing student absenteeism, and ensuring that students are ready to participate in the college classroom, a career field, and in civic responsibilities. 

MCSD ESSA Parent Complaint Procedure

School Districts that receive and administer ESSA funding, must disseminate free of charge, adequate information about the State Complaint and Appeal Procedures to parents of students, and appropriate private school officials or representatives.

Complaints/appeals regarding the administration and implementation of any ESSA programs that MCSD administers,  should first be addressed at the local level. Complaints must be sent first to the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. If the local district fails to resolve the complaint within 30 business days, or fails to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complaint should be sent to the Title I School and Community Services Office, Room 365 EBA, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234. 

• Click here to access the NYSED Complaint Procedure website.

• Click here to access the MCSD Parent Engagement Policy

MCSD ESSA Complaint /Appeals Procedure 

• Who may submit a complaint?

  • Any public or nonpublic school parent or teacher, other interested person, or agency may file a complaint.

• What must a complaint contain?

  •  All complaints must be written.

  • Be signed by the person or agency representative filing the complaint; specify the requirement of law or regulation being violated and the related issue, problem, and/or the concern;

  • The facts on which the statement is based, including sufficient information as to when, where and the nature of activity that is perceived to be in violation of law and/or regulation.

  • State the nature of the corrective action desired

• If you wish to appeal a decision/response from MCSD, please access the NYSED Complaint Procedure website

Engaging Families With ESSA Funded Programs

If receiving Federal education funding, ESSA requires local districts and schools to  conduct outreach to all parents and family members and implement programs, activities, and procedures for the involvement of parents and family members in programs assisted under this part consistent with this section. Such programs, activities, and procedures shall be planned and implemented with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children.

Please visit this site for updates as the district continues to collaborate and connect with all families. 

Contact Us 

Dr. Matthew Lawrence
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Email Dr. Lawrence
845-621-0656

Administrative Support

Joanne Sullivan
Email Joanne Sullivan
845-621-0656 ext. 13502

Andrea Hughes
Email Andrea Hughes
845-621-0656 ext. 13501

Parent Resources

• NYSED Parent Orientation Video : English Language Learner Programs in New York State: 

• EngageNY  : EngageNY is a NY State Education website that provides resources for educators and parents. The site also includes updates from the NY State Education Department (NYSED)

• Mahopac Central School District State Report Card Data Site: Site that provides data from the NYSED about Mahopac Central School District and associated schools. 

• New York State (Every Student Succeeds Act 2018) Fact Sheet for Parents

Home Schooling Resources

•  NYSED Home School Regulations

•  BOCES Home School Handbook: Contains helpful information and templates for optional use. 

Current Challenges To Library And/or Curricular Materials

Listing of Current Library and/or Curricular Material Challenges

Library and/or Curricular Material Challenges

NYSED ESSA Funded Program Links

• ESSA Fact Sheets for Educators, Parents, and School Board Members (Available in 15 Languages)

• ESSA Parent Dashboard

• ESSA State Allocations for Districts