May 13, 2021 Meetings

Weymouth School Committee

ZOOM Meeting
May 13, 2021
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 5/27/21)

Members In Attendance: Lisa Belmarsh, Chair; Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; John Sullivan, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Carrie Palazzo

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

Also Present: Kathleen Smith, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent; Robert Wargo, Assistant Superintendent

The Meeting Came to Order At 7:00pm.

Chair Belmarsh led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was observed in honor of George Dowd Jr., former Town Councilor and Betty Arnold, former Weymouth physical education teacher of 36 years who passed away.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 44-2021 in the amount of $660,626,.97. Dated May 3, 2021.
• Regular Minutes: 4/29/21
• Budget Sub-Committee Minutes: 5/5/21

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Dr. Sullivan. Roll Call vote. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment
The Chair reminded that public comment be in accordance with Policy BED, items on the agenda and kept to 3 minutes; if members wish to speak-name and address should be added in the chat.

There was none.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Smith introduced Michele Prendergast, Administrator of the Weymouth Evening High School.

Update on Weymouth Evening High School
Ms. Prendergast gave an overview of the Evening High School. The presentation is attached to these minutes. The program was established in 1977 and with 40 students on schedule to graduate in 2021, 1636 diplomas have been conferred. The minimum age for attendance is 16 with no maximum age. Students are from surrounding communities, such as Hingham, Braintree, Holbrook, Hanover, Rockland, Quincy and Mansfield. Classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30pm. Ms. Prendergast outlined the enrollment and graduation process.

The committee thanked Ms. Prendergast for the presentation and her work with the program and would like to learn more to support the program.

Presentation of the Superintendent
The Superintendent's presentation included pictures from the Special Olympics held the previous week at the Nash, Murphy, Wessagusset, Abigail Adams and High School.

A video of Channel 5 Morning wake up was also shared.

Pictures of staff and students during Children’s Mental Health Awareness week were shared. During the month of May recognition and appreciation will be expressed to Weymouth Public Schools educators and building staff, food service staff, maintenance/custodial staff, traffic supervisors and nurses appreciation day.

Superintendent Smith shared that SRO Hamacher and therapy dog Charlee were featured in the Boston Globe. Follow on Instagram 2Charlee_SRORyan.

The Superintendent expressed congratulations to the Elks Essay contest winners and thanked Betsy Harris, Kevin Borth, Robert Goggin, and Peg Doherty. The virtual ceremony was held May 12, 2021. Appreciation was also given to the Weymouth democratic Committee for the booklet donation on the US Constitution.

MCAS in primary schools is underway, some remote and some in person testing.

The Superintendent shared that work is ongoing with Weymouth DPH and facilities to work out the number of guests for graduation. It looks like 2 guests per graduate at this time. Guidance is still forthcoming and ceremony details are still being worked out.

Vaccine clinics being offered at Adams and WHS with school nurses distributing vaccines is being discussed with Todd Elegrin.

Return to School Update
Principal Meehan gave an overview of the return to school at Adams. 748 students are in person and 119 are remote. Thanks was expressed to the staff of the remote Academy. Space is still a challenge-the Library has been divided into 4 classroom spaces. Social emotional impacts as well as attendance was talked about

Principal Strauss shared that 54 students were inducted into the National Honor Society on May 13, 2021. 1631 students are in person and 504 are remote at WHS. AP testing is underway; thanks was expressed to Annmarie Oneill for accommodating space.. Gala and graduation were discussed.

The Superintendent shared her appreciation for Brockton Public Schools and Mike Thomas for helping to share chairs for the graduation ceremony.

Announcement of SkillsUSA State Champions
Congratulations was extended to Gianna Conti, Alyssa Duschene, Emily Kilroe, and Allison Amiga for 1st place finishes in the SkillsUSA competition. Thanks was expressed to Monique Maskell and her work with the Allied Health Program.

Announcement of NCTA Awards
WEA President Mike Murphy announced that Mike Miller was the recipient of the NCTA Service Award and staff of the The Special Education Department substantially separate programs were honor award recipients. Staff vary from members of Unita A, C, D to BCBA’s and specialists.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Presentation on the Historical Items in Humanities Center-Michael Murphy

Mike Murphy, Brian Duane, and Debbie Sullivan spoke on items and pictures included in the historical display cases in the Humanities Center at Weymouth High School. Industry, Police and Fire, Military, and high school items as well as pictures are displayed and date back to the 1800’s. Some pictures included are of Patrick Butler, Col. James L. Bates, Ralph Talbot, William Seach and Bill Trask.

A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

The Committee thanked the presenters for the display and their time gathering and creating the cases.

b. Transportation Contract Update-Assistant Superintendent Smith

Assistant Superintendent Smith gave a summary of the transportation contract update from the budget subcommittee. First Student was awarded a contract of 5 years totaling $12,962,464. The term of the contract is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. The 5 year term increased competition and is in line with the industry standards at 3.7% increase each year. Additional technology, radios and GPS are a benefit to the long term contract.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Student Handbooks-Second Reading

There have been no changes to the handbooks since the last reading.

The Chair opened for public comment.

There was none.

Student Handbooks will be moved to third reading at the next school committee meeting.

b. Policy Section J - Third Reading

Mrs. Nardone advised that there has not been any changes since the last reading and that comment has not been received.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to adopt policy section. Seconded by Dr. Sullivan. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

c. Amended Measure 20 072 Adams Middle School Renovation as part of the new Chapman Middle School Project Filed with Town Council April 5, 2021 Update

The school department will present to the Town Council on this measure at a meeting on May 26, 2021. During this meeting the school department will also be presenting their budget.

Metal fabrication bids for the transportation building have been made public and the deadline is June 10. A contract will be awarded soon after.

Clarification will be made if the May 25th meeting is internal or a school building committee meeting.

d. Joint Committee on Community Host Agreement between Weymouth and Algonquin Gas Transmission regarding North Weymouth Compressor Station

There are no updates at this time.

Announcements:
Weymouth Market-June 2, 2021-3:30pm-WHS Gold Cafeteria in a drive thru manner
Budget Subcommittee-June 9, 2021-6:00pm-ZOOM
School Department Budget presentation to the Town Council- May 26, 2021
Town Wide Parent Council-June 8, 2021, 7:00pm-ZOOM

SEPAC-May 25, 2021-6:30pm-ZOOM

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 27, 2021 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:38pm on the motion of Mrs. Nardone, seconded by Dr. Sullivan. Roll call vote - passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Weymouth Evening High School presentation
• Return to School Progress Update
• Superintendent’s presentation
• Historical Items presentation
• Handbook Summary of changes
• Summary of Policy Section J changes

Respectfully Submitted,

John Sullivan
Secretary

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