The Scranton School District’s superintendent used a recent board work session to share and celebrate examples of the district’s considerable progress on multiple fronts in recent years — progress she said reflects a shared commitment to improving education and expanding opportunities for Scranton students.
Superintendent Erin Keating, Ed.D., highlighted Monday academic, curriculum, program, operational and facility improvements realized at and by Lackawanna County’s largest school district over the past 2½ years, a period coinciding with her tenure as superintendent. She was quick to credit the school board, district officials, teachers, staff, the community and outside partners for making that progress possible.
Literacy was a major focus of the district’s efforts on the academic front, with the district and the Scranton Federation of Teachers union partnering in 2024 to introduce what’s known as the “science of reading” in district schools. Officials touted the success of Scranton’s literacy strategy in early May upon the release of a Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition report identifying it as one of just several “proof point” districts statewide, where “students are performing significantly better than expected given their level of economic disadvantage, while also demonstrating strong academic growth over time.”
Reading specialist for Scranton School District Kimberly Tesluk speaks during a roundtable discussion on literacy in the library of John F. Kennedy Elementary School in South Scranton Friday, May 1, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Keating noted that success Monday before pointing to the return and subsequent expansion of the district’s preschool program as another example of progress. School directors approved an agreement with the nonprofit Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA in late 2024 for the return of a Head Start preschool program that commenced in early 2025, years after a prior preschool program was eliminated amid pronounced financial challenges.
The initial pilot preschool classroom opened at Charles Sumner Elementary School, with two more later opening at McNichols Plaza and John Adams elementary schools. The district will also open a Pre-K Counts preschool classroom Oct. 19, at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, bringing the total to four, Keating said.
She also credited the school directors with being “instrumental” in supporting professional development initiatives and with having “dramatically expanded mental and behavioral health support systems,” including by bolstering the number of school counselors and social workers in the district.
“You cannot educate a child unless you remove the barriers to learning — and we know right now in the United States mental and behavior health is one of the largest barriers we face — and this school board has invested in the things to help,” Keating said during Monday’s presentation. “Are we where we need to be 100%? No, but every step counts and this school board has supported that.”
Kindergarten students read a book written by then-Scranton school board president Ty Holmes at John Adams Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
She went on to cover curriculum improvements; the restoration of elementary library programs; investments in and the expansion of science, technology, engineering and math education to younger students and considerably more ground during her broader presentation, video of which is available on the district’s YouTube channel. Keating’s presentation and comments by board President Tom Borthwick span roughly the first half hour of the board’s recorded Oct. 5 work session and meeting.
In noting how far the district has come in recent years, Borthwick also praised Keating as a “central part” of that progress.
“We’re not just talking about change, we’re demonstrating what meaningful change actually looks like, and it’s helping our kids and our employees and our community,” he said. “So we’re changing the face of the district. We’re building a district that’s known for innovation, strong teaching and learning, responsible leadership, meaningful partnerships and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for our kids.”
“Most importantly, this belongs to all of us,” Borthwick continued. “It’s the result of talented educators, dedicated administrators, our hardworking staff, supportive families, community partners and our students, who all continue to demonstrate what’s possible if we all work together for the betterment of our district.”
In a statement Friday, Keating said the district’s success is “directly connected to the future of the Scranton community.”
“When we strengthen our schools, we create opportunities for our children, support our families, develop our future workforce, and contribute to the long term economic vitality of our city,” she said. “I am proud of how far we have come, but I am equally excited about where we are headed. Our work is far from finished, and we remain committed to building a school district that our students, families, staff, and entire community can be proud of.”
Scranton School District superintendent Erin Keating spoke during the Pinwheels for Prevention event at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)