December 8, 2022 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
December 8, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 1/5/23)

Members In Attendance: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, 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 began at 6:31pm

Mrs. Nardone moved to enter into executive session; Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation: WEA Unit A Mediation. Motion seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously

The Meeting was called to order at 7:03pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

The Chair led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 22-2023 in the amount of $1,357,352.68. Dated 11/28/22
• Regular Minutes: 11/17/22
• Budget Sub Committee Minutes: 11/16/22

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

Student Senate
Students Josephine Burke, Lauren Byrne, Josephine Campo, Amira Cooper, Lee Nowicki, Michael Diaz, presented their update (attached to these minutes). Topics included: Academics and Classes, CTE, Skills USA Leadership Conference, Athletics, Black Student Union Book Drive, Class Council News, Club and Extracurricular activities, ‘You Can’t Have Community without Unity ‘ Event on December 15, and Art Show and Concert on December 21.

The committee expressed their thanks and appreciation to the students for their presentation and for attending.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

-Danielle Graziano, 430 Ralph Talbot St.
As a mom spoke on the difficulties of transitioning to middle school and is advocating to support her son's needs and expressed frustration with staffing issues and not hiring specialized instruction.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo thanked the Student Senate participants for speaking with him regarding the strategic planning. The Superintendent is also meeting with WHS, Chapman and Elementary staff and administrators to talk about “Where we are. Where are we going? How do we get there?”

December 13 and 23 are ½ day student days. Dec. 23 is the day before winter break.

Thanks was expressed to Coach Pat O’Toole and Betsy Harris for their work on the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Nardone will stay as the committee representative to the Town Scholarship Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Proposed Superintendent Evaluation Schedule

The worksheet has been supplied by the MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees). The deadlines were reviewed, dates are working backwards based on the Superintendents contract.

It was requested to meet to discuss evidence and evaluation before formally presenting the Superintendent with his evaluation. Having a meeting of the whole to discuss evidence was talked over as well as timeline dates. The December 15, 2022 date for task 1 and 2 will be moved to January 12, 2023.

Dissatisfaction with public evaluation was vocalized.

According to open meeting law draft evaluations presented in a public meeting are available for public review; submitted to the Chair in #6 on May 25, 2023.

School committee goals are ratified and on the front page of the school committee.

OLD BUSINESS

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

Assistant Superintendent Smith advised that administration and JECC administration have worked with McKinnel, McKinnel & Taylor to finalize a design draft which has been converted to a submission letter and drawings of mechanical systems. Central Office department moves will be February 2023-work is ongoing and being done internally. Opening is planned for September 2024. The next meeting will be on 12/13/22 at 3:30 at Abigail Adams School.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
-SEPAC Meeting - December 20 - 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM
-Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - December 13th - 3:30 -Abigail Adams/Virtual
-Budget Sub-Committee Meeting - December 14th - 6:00 p.m.- School Administration Building
-Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, January 5, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm on the motion of Mrs. Nardone, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Student Senate Report
• Superintendent Evaluation Worksheet
• Adams Project update

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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