January 19, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
January 19, 2023
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 2/2/23)

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

Members Absent: Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:04pm

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw moved to enter into executive session; Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: Two WEA Level III Grievances Motion seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The Meeting was called to order at 7:13pm
The chair announced that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

The Chair led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was observed for Mrs. Nardone, mother in law of Vice Chair Tracy Nardone, who passed away on January 4, 2023.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 28-2023 in the amount of $750,872.36. Dated 1/12/23
• Regular Minutes: 1/5/23
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 1/12/23
• Field Trip: Grades 9-12 Music, Band, Choir & Jazz Band - Music in the Parks - Hershey Park, Hershey, PA 5/12-14, 2023

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to remove for review the meeting of the whole minutes of 1/12/23 and table until the next meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Ms.Palazzo to approve the amended consent agenda. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Student Senate
Students of the Student presented an update (attached to these minutes). Topics included midterms, CTE, Music & Arts, winter concert, Wildcat Athletic Leadership Council, clubs and extracurricular activities, class council news, save the dates, and a ‘You Can’t Have Community Without Unity’ video was shared.
The committee expressed their thanks and appreciation to the students for their presentation and for attending.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

-Rachel Collins, Bengel Rd
As a parent of children at Hamilton and a Weymouth teacher advocated for a contract with fair compensation, smaller class size and a livable income to compensate for inflation and asked the committee to show their respect by a fair and settled contract. She also inquired how ESSER funding is addressing district needs.

-Lynn Howard, Hudson Rd.
As a long time educator, WEA representative and Weymouth resident expressed her support a fair and settled contract for Weymouth educators.

-Jilly Berry, 126 Ralph Talbot St,
As a teacher at the Johnson School and union representative expressed support for a fair contract with more resources that accounts for adequate staffing especially in special education Training, staffing and student ratios and classroom cap, and certification were mentioned. She asked the committee to show their respect by a fair and settled contract.

-Katie Monteiro, Chauncy St.
Advocated for support of the Bridge mental health program at the middle school and inquired how the ESSER funding was used in the transitional and implementation plan.

-Robin Duff, Pingree teacher
Urged the committee to settle a fair contract and emphasized trust and communication and for the committee to express their value in the educators so they want to stay in the district.

-Ed Cowan, 56 Wilson Ave.
As a resident and veteran expressed appreciation for and his experience of the impact that Weymouth teachers had on his life.

-Daniel Rios, 385 Broad St.
As a WHS senior shared his support for the teachers and expressed the positivity and impact that Weymouth teachers have had on his life

-Joesephine Burke, 265 Broad St.
As a CTE early childhood student shared her support for the teachers and expressed her experience and impact of Weymouth teachers.

Mrs Curran left the table and returned at 7:57pm.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo advised that budget season is underway and hearings have started. He expressed thanks and appreciation to Assistant Superintendent Smith and his team, Alyssa Bosse, Joy Mulcahy, and Amy Mohr for their hard work.

Meetings with the Town Wide Parent Council and WHS Parent Council for district visioning are happening.

The South Shore Education Collaborative board meeting will be held Friday, January 19, 2023. A tuition increase is expected.

NEW BUSINESS

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

Principal Monahan, Associate Principal Paulus, Ms. Saracino, Ms. Loporto, Ms. Martetts, Mr. Wilkins, Ms. Hof, and Ms. Gosselin reviewed the summary of changes to the program of studies. Highlighted additions: Advanced placement prerequisites, ceramics, OSHA requirements, English IV, Life Skills for english learners, Coaching101/Lifestyle games, AP Human Geography and African American studies, AP Pre-Calculus, Band Lab, AP Physics 2, and Learning Support Center II.

b. Capital Plan Update - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith

Assistant Superintendent Smith reminded that ESSER funding is 1 time funding and gave an overview of the planning process and the Capital Needs for FY24 (attached to these minutes); Curriculum, IT, and Operations and Maintenance. Capital Needs are in excess of $25K and have a useful life of 5 or more years. High priority items were reviewed costing ~5.2M. The total needs list is ~$17M. The list will be an action item at the next meeting.

The chair encouraged the community to look on the website for the budget information and to tune into budget sub meetings as well.

OLD BUSINESS

a. 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 - January 25 - 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: Thursday, February 2, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:37pm on the motion of Ms. Palazzo seconded by Dr.Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Student Senate Report
• WHS Program of Studies

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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