April 27, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
April 27, 2022
MEETING MINUTES

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Interim Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting was called to order at 7:04pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was observed for Larry Lambose who passed away on April 16, 2023; He was a special education educator for 42 years as well as a retired Assistant Superintendent of WPS.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 42-2023 in the amount of $736,242.56. Dated 4/18/23
• Regular Minutes: 4/6/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 4/6/23

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda warrant 42-2023. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangarw to accept the consent agenda approval of minutes 4/6/23; regular and executive session. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

Student Senate
Students Josephine Burke, Lauren Burn, and Daniel Rios, Freshman senator Josephine came to the table to present their update (presentation attached to these minutes). Topics included: Academics, CTE, WALC, clubs and extracurriculars, and class council news.

The committee thanked the students and wished the seniors luck.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent Wargo shared:

15th annual Weymouth School Day Games was held 4/27/23. The day was a success. Appreciation was expressed to Maggie Murphy, Betsy Harris, Olympians, volunteers, Kellie Krawciw, Kay Levine, and SEPAC, in addition to Dr. Sherlock Shangraw for attending.

The Superintendent along with Assistant Superintendent Smith attended the Town Council meeting where the budget was discussed. Review of budget is favorable and moved forward with 4 measures; technical needs, CTE, utility vehicles, and furniture replacement.

Instructional rounds were held at the High School. Thanks were expressed to Principal Monahan, Associate Principal Paulhus, and teachers Northup and Kettner.

Skills USA awards will be held in Marlboro on Saturday April 29, 2023. Jessica Carvahlo will be signing the National Anthem.

SEPAC held a get together event at the Chapman playground, South Shore Support Services were in attendance.

Rotary Pancake breakfast will be at the Whipple Center on May 21, 2023.

Principals Monahan and Costello will be representing WPS at an education career fair at Bridgewater State on May 3, 2023.

Mrs. Curran shared the positive feedback from 1 of the families of a special olympian.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Student Handbooks: First Reading-Assistant Superintendent Curtin Assistant Superintendent Curtin reviewed the minimal updates/changes, clarifications and protocols for the District, Chapman, and High School handbooks.

Questions may be directed to Assistant Superintendent Curtin and there will be an opportunity for public comment at the next meeting.

Student handbooks will be moved to a second reading.

b. Report of the Policy Sub-Committee: 4/10/23 (Action Requested)
Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw summarized the meeting of April 10. Policy JICA-dress code-WHS students attended and Principal Monahan is creating a committee in the fall to come up with the final language to present to the policy sub committee. Policy JLDD was also discussed-more info in the next agenda item.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to accept the report of the policy sub-committee. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Policy JLDD - Life Threatening Allergies - First Reading
There are not any substantive changes to this policy. Housekeeping edits and grammatical changes. References to policy JLDDN have been removed as that policy was deleted.

Questions may be directed to the Policy Sub-Committee and there will be an opportunity for public comment at the next meeting.

Policy JLDD will be moved to a second reading.

It was confirmed that athletes do eat on buses after school.

d. 2023-2024 School Committee Calendar (Action Requested)
The July 20, 2023 meeting will be deleted. There is a possibility that a meeting will be added in November.

Motion by Ms Palazzo to accept the 2023-2024 School Calendar as amended. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

e. Substitute Candidate Search Sub-Committee (Action Requested)
The procedure and schedule was outlined. Letters of interest must be received by May 12, 2023 for the school committee vacancy. The announcement and schedule will be posted in the paper and on the website. Interview questions will go out to interested parties.

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw made a motion: A call to the community for letters of interest in filling the vacant seat by the deadline of May 12; An executive session will be convened under reason 8 to consider applicants for appointment on May 25. Strong candidates will be voted forward for an interview at the regular meeting on June 15 for a subsequent appointment vote. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith Assistant Superintendent Smith
summarized the meeting of April 11, 2023. Timeline, design development, preschool FF& E was discussed. The next meeting will be Abigail Adams. McKinnel, McKinnel and Mr. MacLeod will be attending. Bid documents will be available on the website soon.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments kept to 3 minutes and items on the agenda in accordance with Policy BEDH. There was none.

Announcements:
-Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - May 10, 2023 - 3:30pm - Abigail Adams Library/Virtual
-Budget Sub-Committee - May 10, 2023- 6:00pm - Abigail Adams School Library
-SEPAC elections will be held on International Night May 16, 2023 at 7pm and via Zoom.

It was suggested to have the link to the handbook changes be posted on the website.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 7:38pm on the motion of Ms. Palazzo, seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Student Senate presentation
• Handbook suggested edits
• Policy JLDD
• School Committee vacancy announcement
• School Committee vacancy schedule

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

---

 

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
April 27, 2023
MEETING OF THE WHOLE MINUTES

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone; Interim Chair; Carrie Palazzo (6:02pm), Secretary; Kathy Curran; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

Also Present: Robert Wargo, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Melanie Curtin ; Assistant Superintendent

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm

Superintendent Evaluation Update
The Superintendent informed that he is on schedule to provide the end of cycle report on May 4. He will align the goal/standard to the evidence and will also share pictures. It was reminded that if a member has not sat with the Superintendent for a 1 to 1 meeting yet to, schedule it as it is helpful for the evaluation process. Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw will be compiling the data received from the members.

Mrs. Nardone reiterated her disagreement with the public evaluation of the Superintendent.

School Committee Meeting Dates
A suggestion was made to delete the July 20, 2023 meeting, consensus was reached. If need be, a 1 item agenda meeting could be added. Discussion was had of potentially having 2 meetings in November, the 16th and 30th. This will be revisited and evaluated in September.

School Committee Vacancy Procedures
The announcement for the school committee vacancy was reviewed. Letter of interest must be submitted to Eileen by May 12. Sample questions will be sent out to suitable candidates scheduled for interview. Whether review of applicants can happen in executive session or open meeting was talked over. Per reason 8, applicants will be reviewed in executive session. Eligible candidates will be brought forth for a public interview at a school committee meeting. A minimum of 2 candidates will be moved forward. The schedule dates were reviewed. The School Committee will review applicants on May 25, 2023 in executive session. Two candidates will be moved forward for an interview at the June 15, 2023 School Committee meeting. Selection of the candidate by the School Committee will be by public vote.

Alternate Pathways
It was stated that the alternative pathways are not a consequence or punitive but to examine the best environment and fit for some students with maladjusted behaviors who are struggling in Tier 2.

Dr. Verlicco, Ms. Cooper, and the executive team have had ongoing conversations. The team would like to build on the Chard Street platform for a behavior focused program utilizing the Adams lower level for students in grade 7-12 struggling with self management. DESE has been consulted.

The pilot program would hold about 30 students and start winter of 2034/24. Staffing would be a Director, 4 teachers and a counselor to begin in fall of 2023 building curriculum and the program. There was previously a job description for a Director of Alternative Education/Pathways. The Superintendent will update the description for the committee and give a deadline for feedback before the position is posted. Assistant Superintendent Smith shared funding sources of operating, ESSER III. The Directors position will need to be built into the operating budget for FY25.

Concerns were raised for grades 7-12 being in the same building as preschoolers. Privacy and safety was mentioned. This first pilot year will not have pre school students in the building.

The goal of the program is for what is best for the student. There will be enrichment and activity opportunities. Re-Entry plans will be thoughtful and planned.

This program is based on the framework presented by Anne Donovan from Accept Collaborative.

The committee requested that the space be inviting and asked for a walk through of the program as well as Chard St. in the fall.

Members showing support at the Chapman 8th grade dance was discussed.

Consensus was reached to have a Meeting of the Whole on June 8, 2023 at 5pm to discuss the compiled Superintendent evaluation data.

PUBLIC COMMENT
-Danielle Graziano
Commented on a student's school refusal going to the alternative pathways program and options

The Meeting adjourned at 6:59pm on the motion of Mrs. Curran, seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shgangraw. Motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

---