August 18, 2022 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
August 18, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 9/15/22)

Members In Attendance: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran

Members Absent: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:35pm

Mrs. Nardone moved to enter into executive session:,
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiations: SEIU, Local 888 Cafeteria Workers
Motion seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

Chair Sullivan led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was observed for Terry Barker, longtime WPS food service worker who passed away.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 04-2023 in the amount of $253,400.35. Dated 7/25/22
• Warrant 06-2023 in the amount of $402,240.38. Dated 8/8/22
• Regular Minutes: 7/14/22
• Meeting of the Whole: 7/14/22
• Budget Sub-Committee: 8/10/22

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment
-Kim Ferreira, 105 Charles Dierch
Expressed her support for raising the ESY pay rates to be competitive and attract current WPS to work during the summer. She also conveyed her appreciation for staff and stressed the importance of special education compliance.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo shared that DESE/DPH Covid health guidance has changed. The district will not be testing nor distributing tests and masks will only be required to be worn in health offices. Masks are not are required but welcome if families choose to wear them.

Administrator retreat was held on 8/12 & 8/13; The 3E’s and actionable steps was highlighted. There are 23 new administrators, 17 promoted from w/in the district. New Educators was held this week and out of 45 new educators, a ⅓ are from district positions.

Opening Day for all staff is September 1, 2022 at Chapman from 8-3.

First Day of School:
Grade 1-12 students         September 6, 2022
Kindergarten students       September 8, 2022
PreKindergarten students   September 12, 2022

The Superintendent expressed his appreciation for Stacey Ware and Deni Strozewski for their great work at the Family Engagement Center as well as to all ESY, EL, and Q5, maintenance/custodial, food service and transportation staff.

It was clarified that needed furniture that was stored during Covid is being utilized in the classrooms.

NEW BUSINESS

a. SEIU Local 888 MOU-Cafeteria Workers (action requested)

Ms. Curran shared that it was a pleasure working with the cafeteria workers. The contract is for 3 years, 7/1/22-6/30/25 and costs $250K which is funded through the food service revolving account.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the cafeteria workers MOU. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote, motion passed unanimously.

b. Fees (action requested)

ESY Rates:
Assistant Superintendent Smith shared the ESY (Extended School Year) rates that occur outside the regular school day. Rates will be retroactive to July 1, 2022.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to accept the ESY rates. Motion passed unanimously.

Thanks and appreciation was expressed to the summer staff.

Substitute Rates:
Assistant Superintendent Smith shared that the substitute rates were piloted during Covid and that the increases are financially sustainable. Rates are posted on the website: https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/budget-sub-committee/pages/agendas-and-documents Effective date for rates is 9/1/22.
An open house for substitutes will be held by the Human Resources department.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the new substitute rates as of 9/1/22. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried.

c. Job Descriptions (action requested)

In an effort to better the work being done and changes happening with administrative staff, roles and responsibilities have been evaluated.
Executive Assistants are pay grade M. Executive Assistant-Finance & Operations
Position will report to Assistant Superintendent Smith.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to accept the Executive Assistant, Finance and Operations job description. Motion carried.

Executive Assistant -Teaching & Learning
The position will report Assistant Superintendent Curtin and Executive Director Bransfield.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to accept the Executive Assistant, Teaching and Learning job description. Motion carried.

Executive Assistant-Front Desk/Human Resources
Position reports to Executive Director Foley and Executive to Superintendent (typo of Secretary will be corrected)

Motion by Mrs. Nardone and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to accept the Executive Assistant, Front Desk/Human Resources job description with edits. Motion carried.

d. Discussion Job Description-Senior Data & Assessment Analyst

The work of the data department which used to be three is now divided amongst 2 data analysts. The position is part of the Grade R grid.

The senior data & assessment analyst description will be placed on the next meeting agenda for action.

e. Budget Sub-Committee Report (action requested)

Chair Sullivan summarized the meeting of 8/10/22. Topics included:
-New budget subcommittee Chair-Steve Buccigross -FY2021 closeout
-No findings on FY2022 internal audit
-Class of 2022 set up accounts for student activity funds
-Free meals program will continue-Families are encouraged to still fill out application as they may be eligible for other programs
-ESY & Sub rate increase
-Non Union COLA tabled until next budget sub meeting

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the report of the budget sub committee. SEconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Updates and Status of Chapman Middle School Opening 2022 - Assistant Superintendent Melanie Curtin

Assistant Superintendent Curtin shared what a success the Ribbon cutting celebration was and that the punch list is currently being worked on and on schedule for 9/1/22. The administrative team has moved into their offices and are setting up. The school will seek feedback from students on what to put in the time capsule.

Chapman Project Updates

The committee reiterated the success of the ribbon cutting and expressed their excitement for the building and opening.

The back canopy will cover students as the vacate vans.

b. Update and Status of Abigail Adams - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith

Assistant Superintendent Smith advised that the fleet of vans has moved to Abigail, and the transportation department will be moving over in the near future. The design firm of McKinnell

McKinnell & Taylor Inc has been selected and opening is scheduled for fall of 2023. Monthly walkthroughs continue.

A sub committee has been formed and Ms. Palazzo is the chair. Volunteers of families, special education families, and ethnic group families are being sought to serve on the subcommittee. Please email john.sullivan@weymouthschools.org if interested in. Meeting is planned for 9/13/22.

Announcements:
Please check the website for school start times and dates. Happy Back to School.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, September 15, 2022 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 7:43pm on the motion of Mrs. Nardone, seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shgangraw. Motion passed unanimously

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• ESY Rates
• Substitute Rates
• Job Description-Finance & Operations
• Job Description-Teach & Learning
• Job Description-Front Desk/HR
• Job Description-Senior Data Analyst

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
August 18, 2022
MEETING OF THE WHOLE MINUTES

Members In Attendance: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran

Members Absent: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting was called to order at 5:47pm

District Status & Update

The Superintendent shared that student tours will need to be postponed at MWC so that construction may continue uninterrupted. Messaging will be conveyed on Friday from Principal Meehan. Postponement dates potentially could be August 30 & 31. A suggestion was made for a combination parent/student information session and tour during late afternoon or evening. It was reiterated that the building will be ready for the planned target September 1 opening for full occupancy.

Superintendent Wargo advised the folders sent to the committee included qualitative and quantitative data and talking points and the purpose for the meeting was to discuss where the committee thought the district currently stood and where they would like to see it moving forward. He mentioned that visioning teams will be reassembled.

Mrs. Nardone expressed her opinion that the district has picked up momentum after it plateaued and has culminated with the accomplishment of opening the New Chapman. She expressed the need to have all stakeholders share and believe the vision of the educational plan as well as her concern for security, safety, and adequate staffing to be able to back up the promise of delivering the best educational experience. She conveyed that she is happy where the district is.

Ms. Palazzo touched upon 2021 elementary MCAS scoring performance in relation to DART schools. The DART group has 11 schools-of which 6 are making substantial growth and 5 are at moderate growth. Weymouth is making moderate growth. In addition to growth she looked at per pupil expenditure as well-Attleboro-substantial at 14K, Cambridge-substantial at 31K, Falmouth-substantial at 19K, Leominster-substantial at 14K, Medford-substantial at 20K, Methuen-moderate at 14.7K, Peabody, moderate at 15.6K, Quincy-substantial at 17K, Tauntonmoderate at 14.7K, Westfield-moderate at 15.6K, Weymouth 17K. Layers are involved in the numbers. Possible reasons suggested: curriculum, culture, or facilities. She also cautioned that autonomy may inadvertently result in equity. She referenced Science 5th graders at Pingree scores being 27% higher than other Weymouth elementary schools. She communicated her support for creating peer relationships and partnerships.

Mrs. Curran expressed her opinion that coming out of Covid presents an opportunity to start with a clean slate. She’d like to see attendance (students and staff) and data points be of focus as well as Chard St. and tiered supports implementation and outcomes. She stressed the importance of the Executive Director of Elementary Education's position and would like the school improvement plans to include data points of the number of students who are at grade level.

Discussion of how establishing a line of measure was had. The Superintendent shared that at the end of Covid the district level for students was at ~93%. Changed Covid health guidelines were talked over briefly.

Dr. Sullivan shared his feeling that with Covid, leadership transitions, data points updates, changing MCAS it's hard to use past years as a point of measurement and suggested to determine baseline this year. He shared his support of local decision making and the position of the role of the Executive Director to assist with issues of equity. He emphasized equity and that it can be measured qualitatively. He expressed his opinion that there may be an esteem problem at Seach and Chapman. He hopes that the Chapman staff is enlivened by this new change for positive culture. Positivity and continuity of that philosophy was reiterated He touched upon the importance of restorative justice and accountability at the WHS.

The committee commented on the Bent and Guilfoil report/template and the changes that have resulted. The increase in the ELL population, intercultural work, special education added programming and supporting teachers to be able to support students (social emotional behavior), town esteem and positivity was talked about.

Superintendent Wargo shared that autonomy is with alignment and not siloed and that the committee is looking for impact and added value of changes; a school district, not a district of schools. He emphasized that the 3 E’s are the focal point of work to develop a baseline and for a strategic plan to be created by the end of this year.

Stability and continuity was emphasized with the Adams project and transitions. Matriculating students from Chapman to the high school was mentioned for the future. It was reiterated for high standards to be upheld.

It was suggested to have ELL teachers placed on future school committee agendas. Highlighting schools in another forum besides school committee meetings was proposed.

The Meeting adjourned at 6:52pm on the motion of Mrs. Nardone, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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