January 21, 2021 Meetings
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
VIRTUAL - Please Note Location
January 21, 2021 – 7:00 pm
AGENDA
ZOOM
The Weymouth School Committee meeting of January 21, 2021 will occur at 7:00 PM for the Regular Meeting. To protect the health of the community in the face of Covid19 and in accordance with the governor's emergency modifications to the Open Meeting Law, this meeting will be a videoconference. Access the meeting from home by following the directions below:
To join the meeting by computer or internet-enabled phone:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506033126?pwd=UXgydjNEU1FBazk4em85MFNBbDJhQT09
Meeting ID: 835 0603 3126 Password: RuXn8A
To join the meeting by phone: 1-646-558-8656 Meeting ID: 835 0603 3126 Passcode: 219240
I. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 pm
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:00 pm
III. CONSENT AGENDA 7:05 pm
a. Payment of Bills
b. Approval of Minutes: Regular Minutes: 1/7/21, 1/14/21; Executive Session Minutes: 1/13/21; Meeting of the Whole: 1/14/21
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT 7:10 pm
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BED
V. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT 7:25 pm
Correspondence
VI. NEW BUSINESS 7:35 pm
a. Acceptance of Resignation of Superintendent Curtis-Whipple as of end of day February 26, 2021 (Action Requested)
b. Approval for Interim Superintendent Kathleen Smith to Participate on the Board of South Shore Educational Collaborative effective March 1, 2021 (Action Requested)
c. Report of the Budget Sub-Committee: 12/13/20 (Action Requested)
VII. OLD BUSINESS 7:50 pm
a. Program of Studies - Second Reading
b. Return to School Plan
i. Review updated metric
ii. Staffing update
iii: Hybrid Learning Update
c. Chapman School Building Update, Adams Renovation and Transportation Building Update (Town Measure 20 072 - Amend Measure 19 017)
d. Superintendent Search
e. Review of status of the Joint Committee on Community Host Agreement between Weymouth and Algonquin Gas Transmission regarding North Weymouth Compressor Station
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8:45 pm
- Weymouth Market - February 3, 2021 - 3:30 - WHS Market will occur in a drive through manner
IX. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING OF THE WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Thursday, February 4, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.
Moment of silence:
Patricia Anne (Duffy) Weisgerber, She taught in the Weymouth Public School System for 24 years before retiring due to health issues. Patricia taught at the William Seach, Washington, Alice Fulton, Union Street and Wessagussett Primary School.
Thomas Tanner, Sr., Father of School Committee member Tracey Nardone. Tom loved serving his Weymouth Community. He served as past-president and 41-year member of the Weymouth Rotary Club, was on the Weymouth 350th committee, serve on the D.P.W. currently Conservation Commission Chair.
Meeting Minutes
Weymouth School Committee
ZOOM Meeting
January 21, 2021
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 2/4/21)
Members In Attendance: Lisa Belmarsh, Chair; John Sullivan, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Carrie Palazzo;
Members Absent: Vice Chair; Tracey Nardone, Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Jennifer Curtis-Whipple, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent; Robert Wargo, Assistant Superintendent,
The Meeting Came to Order At 7:01pm.
Chair Belmarsh led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed in honor of the passing of Patricia Anne (Duffy) Weisgerber, a WPS teacher of 24 years and also for Thomas Thanner Sr., long time rotary club member, Chair of the Conservation Commission and father of school committee member, Tracy Nardone.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Warrant 30-2021 in the amount of $740,383.34. Dated January 25, 2021.
- Regular Minutes: 1/7/21, 1/14/21
- Executive Session Minutes: 1/13/21
- Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 1/14/21
Motion by Dr. Sullivan to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Roll Call vote. Passed unanimously.
Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BED and items on the agenda.
-Josephine Burke, 265 Broad St.
As a sophomore at WHS shared her excitement for being back in the building 2 times a week and also for the new classes being added to the program of studies.
-Amy Carr, 31 Morrell St.
As a mom of a first grader and 4 year who will be attending Kindergarten in the fall and a reading specialist in another district expressed her support for extending the full day Kindergarten Pilot program.
Chair Belmarsh clarified that this comment corresponds to the agenda item of the budget sub committee report.
-Helen Li
Inquired about the Superintendent screening committee, focus group, and survey.
Chair Belmarsh advised that links can be accessed by the town and school website.
https://www.weymouth.ma.us/home/news/superintendent-search-survey-focus-groups-and-screening-committee-input
https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/district-information/pages/superintendent-search-information-and-documents
Community members can also email the chair at lisa.belmarsh@weymouthps.org
Deadline is Friday 1/22/21. Hard copies of the survey can also be dropped off at 111 Middle St.
Report of the Superintendent:
The Superintendent reported on the following:
Dr. Curtis-Whipple thanked Walmart for their generous donation of school supplies and thanked Mike Manning and Betsy Harris for delivering the supplies and for community outreach.
At a meeting in the Mayor's chambers (socially distant) William Singlar on behalf of the Weymouth/Braintree Elks made a donation of $3500 to assist the School Department with technology needs. The Superintendent expressed her thanks and appreciation.
The Elks essay contest awards were 1/20/21 and first place winners were Molly Hacket and Isabel Cummings who wrote about what free speech means to them. Betsy Harris advised that Weymouth received first place honors in the state as well. The Superintendent thanked Kevin Borth and Bobby Goggin for hosting a great event. During the event there was a tribute to Dick Steele who had recently passed. Mr. Steele previously read and judged the essays with Dr. Peg Dougherty.
It is Curriculum/Grant Season and the Superintendent expressed her thanks to Assistant Superintendent Wargo and Teri Fleming for their hard work. ‘ST Math’ as well as ‘Project Lead the Way’ grants will be renewed.
Abigail Adams will be hosting author, Ellie Schwartz on February 11, 2021 and student council theme days will begin too.
Murphy students will be partnering with WHS VIP students in a lunch buddy program to build connections between students. Dr. Curtis-Whipple thanked Justin Galusha for his efforts.
WHS Senior Dean, Jen Dolan has begun a parent/guardian committee which will help support Senior students during this time of Covid navigate college and their senior year. The committee meets via zoom twice monthly. The next meeting will be on February 10, 2021.
During the week of March 15, the Department of Education will be conducting a review of tiered focus monitoring groups and ensuring compliance to protocols and regulations. The special education department will be looking for parent involvement to support efforts. There will be a parent orientation at the February 23, 6pm SEPAC meeting.
The Superintendent added how wonderful it is to have more students back in the buildings and expressed her thanks to all for keeping students safe with the return and increased numbers.
Mrs. Curran inquired where the $3500 tech donation would go and was advised that a final determination has not been made however potentially with assisting families/students and/or hotspots. She also inquired about attendance to the basic rights presentation at the last SEPAC meeting. Special Education Director Bell would get back to Ms. Curran with specifics.
The committee expressed their thanks and appreciation for the donations and reiterated congratulations to the essay winners.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Acceptance of Resignation of Superintendent Curtis-Whipple as of end of day, February 26, 2021 (action requested)
February 4 will be Dr. Curtis-Whipple’s last school committee meeting. The committee is looking at an earlier start of 6:30 for the meeting.
With a heavy heart, Motion by Dr. Sullivan to accept the resignation of Dr. Curtis Whipple as of the end of the day on February 26, 2021. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.
b. Approval of Interim Superintendent Kathleen Smith to Participate on the Board of South Shore Educational Collaborative effective March 1, 2021 (action requested)
Interim Superintendent Smith will be attending the SSEC board meeting on 1/22/21 with Superintendent Curtis-Whipple.
This is a procedural vote which happens every year that the Superintendent serves on the board.
Motion by Dr. Sullivan to authorize Interim Superintendent Smith to serve on the Board of the South Shore Educational Collaborative. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Roll Call vote. Passed unanimously.
c. Report of the Budget Sub-Committee, 1/13/20 (action requested)
Dr. Sullivan read his report of the meeting on 1/13/21 into the record. Topics included the FY21 Budget update, transportation savings, warrant processing schedule, Extended School Year hourly rates, non union salary review, primary school proposed budgets and full day kindergarten. A copy of the report is attached to these minutes.
Motion by Mrs. Curran to accept the report of the budget sub-committee. Seconded by Dr. Sullivan. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.
Mrs. Curran shared that the primary schools’ budget may be remaining the same however additional personnel is being asked for. Dr. Sullivan advised that primary schools are providing a level funded budget with the request that if there is extra money, additional staff would be appreciated.
OLD BUSINESS
a. WHS Program of Studies - Second Reading
Much discussion was had over ‘successful completion’ of a prerequisite course in college prep classes. It was suggested that 60% should replace successful completion. Dual enrollment and credits were also talked over. Classes will be identified after the school committee votes the program of studies. Dual enrollment classes will include Criminology, Honors Pre Calculus, Accounting 1, Honors Anatomy/Physiology and a World Language (TBD). Counselors will work on a preliminary list of schools that will accept the college credit. Quincy College dual enrollment classes will work off the same basis as AP courses.
May districts are already utilizing dual enrollment.
Discussion was also had regarding civics and meeting federal requirements. Civics is taught in 8th grade and is covered in the freshman seminar by a civics project. It was suggested that the description for the freshman seminar be more detailed. It was stated that all courses meet state standards and frameworks.
It was suggested that readings be combined.
Mrs. Curran shared that she is opposed to combining the second and third reading due to the freshman seminar and civics description as well as for prerequisite language .
Principal Strauss recognized Melanie Curitn in addition to Karen Monahan, and Becky Paulhus for their hard work and diligence on the program of studies.
Dr. Sullivan assured that a good civics education is happening as long as curriculum frameworks are being followed.
There are not any contract conflicts with Unit A bargaining unit by working with Quincy College.
There wasn’t any comment from the public.
Motion by Dr. Sullivan to combine 2nd and 3rd reading of the programs of studies. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll Call vote. Passed 4-1. Mrs. Curran voted NO.
Motion by Dr. Sullivan to approve the program of studies for the 2021/21 school year. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll call vote. Passed 4-1. Mrs. Curran voted NO.
b. Return to School Plan
Superintendent Curtis-Whipple advised that there have been no recommendations to change the return to school plan schedule and that all is status quo at the moment. She assured that the WHS hallways are not overcrowded and that students are doing a great job in following protocols and guidelines. Some classes have had to run remotely for various reasons.
Assistant Superintendent Smith advised that during the metric meeting earlier that all metrics remain in the same color coding as the previous week. Community spread per 100,000 is down to 89.6 cases and 11.36%. At the meeting it was announced that Matthew Brennan will be leaving. Best wishes were expressed. In effort to streamline timing and syncing information; a week will be marked from Noon on Thursday. Information prior to Noon on Thursday will correspond to the previous week.
Thanks and appreciation was expressed for Elaine Lane and the nursing team for all of their hard work. A vaccination host site for Weymouth is in the inquiry phase. Massachusetts Association of Superintendents is also pushing forward regarding vaccinations for school district teachers and staff.
Second grade is currently being evaluated for increased cohort days. The Superintendent advised that all possible is being done to bring more students back to the buildings in a safe manner.
c. Chapman School Building Update, Adams Renovation and Transportation Building Update (Town Measure 20 072 - Amend Measure 17 017)
The next school building meeting will be Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
The Transportation building is a few months behind schedule due to Covid 19 delays. Sub bids will be filed in February and contracts could potentially be awarded in March.
This item will be kept on the agenda.
d. Review of status of Joint Committee and Community Host Agreement between Weymouth and Algonquin Gas Transmission regarding North Weymouth Compressor Station
The committee is awaiting a response from MEMA regarding a regional response plan.
There will be a safety meeting, chaired by Teri Fleming next week with John Mulveyhil and the police and fire department. Table top displays will be discussed to run through scenarios.
Thanks and appreciation was expressed for Teri Fleming and Dennis Jones for their hard work.
This Item will be kept on the agenda.
An amendment being added to the program of studies with classes identified as dual enrollment was discussed.
Announcements:
Weymouth Market-February 3, 2021-NEW time-3:30pm-WHS Gold Cafeteria in a drive thru manner
School building Committee meeting-February 2, 2021
Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 4, 2021 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 8:23pm on the motion of Dr. Sullivan, seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll call vote - passed unanimously.