February 2, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
February 2, 2023
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 2/16/23)

Members In Attendance: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross;

Members Absent: Carrie Palazzo, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:03pm

Tracey Nardone moved to enter into executive session; Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: WEA Level III Grievances; Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining strategy session: Unit D; and 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

The Meeting was called to order at 7:07pm
The chair announced that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

The Chair led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Confirmation of Warrant: 30-2023 Date: 1/23/23 Amount: $840,449.01
• Regular Minutes: 1/19/23 Executive Session: 1/19/23 Meeting of the Whole: 1/12/23
• Budget Sub-Committee: 1/18/23 & 1/25/23
• Field Trip: WHS Grades 12 DECA Business State Conference - Hynes Convention Center, Marriott Copley Boston, March 9, 2023 - March 11, 2023-

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to approve the amended consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

Kristie Bell, 23 Dee Road, Quincy
-7th grade teacher at Chapman. Spoke about her love of her job and Weymouth and the non competitive salaries. Stated teachers in Weymouth deserve better caseloads, small class sizes and better compensation.

Danielle Graziano, 430 Ralph Talbot Street

- Mrs. Graziano spoke about the DART data, that we are in the 2nd half of the year with no contract. She also spoke about being below the state average of salaries. Her statement also covered staff that has not been replaced. We need to attract candidates to come to Weymouth but we need to show we care about our educators.

Kimberly Ferreria, Charles Diersch Street

- Ms. Ferreria spoke about the percentage increases to Unit A since 2015. She stated that it is 12.5% and averages to 1.56 annually. She then reviewed social security and non-union. She expressed her support for a fair contract for teachers now.

Delia Berry, 119 Babcock Avenue

- Sixth grade student at Chapman. Spoke about the social emotional needs of staff and students, smaller class sizes. She talked about her mom, who is a teacher at Johnson, coming home at night exhausted and the amount of teachers who are leaving to go to other districts.

Richard Cassani, 132 Lorraine Street

- Mr. Cassani stated that this is his 10th year teaching, 19th year in the district. He is a parent of 2 current WPS students. It is difficult working not knowing when the contract will be settled. He shared teaching has changed and every time the contract expires the process is dragged out. He is hoping for an agreeable solution and the contract gets settled.

Mindy Galusha, 41 Rosemary Lane

- Teacher at WHS and parent of 3 WPS students. She talked about teachers being an investment vs. discretionary expenses. Not having a contract in the short term can cause long term harm to staff which then trickles down to students. Feels it is demoralizing to not prioritize teachers with a COLA.

Meredith Walsh, 160 Northridge Drive, East Bridgewater

- Came to the table and discussed finding money for settling the contract. Spoke about finding 2 million dollars for full day k. Discussed competitive salaries for admin and the substantial raises for admin. Spoke about having Weymouth staff providing their own professional development and using the allocated money for the raises. Asked the school committee to do what is right.

Aimee Hanrahan, 171 Saint Claire Street, Braintree

- Nurse at MWChapman. Spoke on behalf of the WPS nurses and how they are unable to have their contractual 25 minute lunch and how this was brought to the grievance level. Feels they should be compensated for the time they miss on a continual basis.

Bill Kelly, 23 High Street Place

- Fifth grade para at Murphy Elementary School. Spoke about the great teachers he works with. Wants to continue working here and progressing his career and wants to be supported. Spoke about the Gallup survey about teacher burnout. Spoke about the ESP salary not being a livable wage and has a second job.

Heather Downs - 28 Chard Street

- Applauds all the teachers in the room and the ones speaking. Has four sons, 2 went to WHS, 2 went to private school when Chapman combined. Stated that we don’t need 2 Assistant Superintendents, 2 Executive Directors. Talked about how much the School Committee is getting paid, healthcare etc.. Teachers need the support of the town. Supports giving the teachers the raises they deserve.

Katie Monterio, 8 Chauncy Street

- Ms. Monterio just wanted to thank Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw for responding to her email.

Mrs Curran left the table at 7:45 pm and returned at 7:47pm.
Mrs. Nardone left the table at 7:45 and returned at 7:55 pm

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo shared that we have received a copy of the painting of the Abolition picnic to Chapman Middle School. It was a gift from the Weymouth Historical Society. Thank you to Jim Clarke and Cathy Torrey for presenting the gift to Chapman.

Superintendent Wargo and other superintendents from the state are pushing forward for reimbursements for circuit breaker, out of district, transportation etc.

Some important dates coming up: Early release on February 14th. Winter break 20-24, Town Wide parent council on February 14th.

Mrs. Curran shared that she likes the monthly newsletter that includes all the schools.

NEW BUSINESS

Elementary Student Assessment Report - Richard Bransfield, Executive Director of Elementary Education
Mr. Bransfield came to the table and presented the Winter Assessment Date for the elementary schools (presentation attached to these minutes). All questions were answered. Mrs. Curran asked specifically for data by grade level. That will be provided to the committee.

Draft 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Superintendent Wargo reviewed the draft calendar for 2023-2024 school year. The committee shared concern about October 10th being a full day PD for staff (no school for Students. The calendar will be voted on at the next meeting.

Report of the Budget Sub-Committee: 1/18/23 & 1/25/23 (Action Requested)
Mr. Buccigross shared his report for the January 18th Budget Sub-Committee meeting. Topics discussed were - Safe Routes grant, ESSER. Reviewed the School Department review, DESE review and FY23 reports YTD. FY24 planning was then discussed. Reviewed the capital request and the FY24 proposals for Curriculum, Professional Development, Student Services and Health Services.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to approve the Budget Sub-Committee report of 1/18/23. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Buccigross also shared the report for the January 25th Budget Sub-Committee meeting. Topics discussed were - the updated Budget prep schedule, Governor's FY 24 Budget, FY24 budget proposals, WHS, CTE, Athletics, Chapman Middle School.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to approve the Budget Sub-Committee report of 1/18/23. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

a. Capital Plan Update - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith reminded the Committee that the Capital Plan needs to be voted. The total needs list is ~$17M.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to approve the Capital Needs list for FY24. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. WHS Program of Studies - Second Reading - Principal Monahan & Associate Principal Paulhus

Mrs. Monahan and Mrs. Paulhus came to the table for the second reading of the Program of Studies. All questions from the Committee were answered. There was no public comment.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to combine the second and third reading of the WHS Program of Studies.. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to approve the WHS Program of Studies with changes discussed. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Update and Status of Abigail Adams - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith
The next meeting will be on February 14, 2023 at 3pm at the administration building.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
-Budget Sub-Committee Meeting - February 15th (correction from the agenda) meeting was moved - 6:00 p.m.- School Administration Building
-Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - February 14th - 3:30 - School Administration Building/Virtual

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: March 9, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:52pm on the motion of Mrs. Nardone, seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Elementary Data Presentation
• 2023-2024 Draft School Calendar
• WHS Program of Studies

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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