June 15, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
June 15, 2023
MEETING MINUTES

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Interim Chair;Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steven Buccigross; Danielle Graziano

Members Absent: Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:00pm

Mrs. Curran moved to enter into executive session;
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: WEA Unit A Level III Grievance
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiations: SEIU 888 Van Drivers/Monitors/CDL Drivers
Motion seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm

The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Election of Officers of the Weymouth School Committee
The Chair welcomed new committee member Ms.Graziano and Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw outlined the nomination and voting process.

Discussion was had on the process; expression of interest, nominations and discussion, and vote (majority).

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mr. Buccigross to open for expression of interest. Motion carried.

Tracy Nardone - Chair
Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw -Vice Chair
Carrie Palazzo - Secretary

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mr. Buccigross to close expression of interest. Motion carried.

Motion by Mrs. Curran for the purposes of reorganization and member expression to nominate Tracey Nardone as Chair, Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw as Vice Chair and Carrie Palazzo as Secretary. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Consent Agenda:

The Consent agenda included: 

• Warrant 48-2023 in the amount of $963,860.59. Dated 5/30/23  
• Warrant 50-2023 in the amount of $849,127.22. Dated 6/12/23
• Budget Sub Minutes: 6/7/23
• Regular Minutes: 5/25/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 5/25/23  
• Field Trip: Grades 9-12 Model United Nations, SSUNS- Center Sheraton Hotel, Montreal Canada- 11/9/23- 11/12/23
• Field Trip: Grade 9-12 Model United Nations BOSMUN Trip- Marriott Copley, Boston, MA2/2/24-2/4/24

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

It was noted that the field trips did not have amounts or ranges designated on forms.

Report of the Superintendent:
The Superintendent gave an overview of the presentation (attached to these minutes) and the kindergarten assignment process. Emphasis was on equitable distribution of students. Currently there are 20 kindergarten classes district wide and 438 registered students where 38 students are not at their neighborhood school. Class size, transportation, special education school programs were discussed. Families experiencing hardships due to equitable distribution are encouraged to reach out.

Public Comment
- Peter Kylie, 40 Old Colony Dr.
Shared his disappointment of his son being placed at the Seach school when his family is walking distance to Nash, the kindergarten registration process and the lack of communication regarding placement, He also shared his experience meeting with Superintendent Wargo and Executive Director Bransfield and the criterion discussed for placement.

The Superintendent thanked Mr. Kylie for his comments and agreed that communication could’ve been better

- Kevin Vinitzki, 49 Roberts Dr.
Shared his experience of his daughter being outplaced from Nash to Talbot. Enrollment and documentation was submitted on time. He also met with Superintendent Wargo and Executive Director Bransfield.

- Guz Perez, Hewett Road
Shared his thoughts that equitable distribution is soft redistricting and circumventing school committee approval and the proposal of Adams being a PreK/K facility should’ve been given more consideration. He expressed his support for overcommunication.

Discussion of sister schools, parent council engagement, and duration of placement, Policy JC and JCA, andunderstood school zones was had.

- Kim Ferreira, 105 Charles Dierch St.
As a mom of special education students expressed her support for special education programs at all schools.

It was requested for the presentation to be posted on the school website as well as for a Alternative pathways presentation in August. Hiring for a CTE Director is in process.

NEW BUSINESS

a. SEPAC End of Year Report
Co Chairs Danielle Graziano, Kim Ferreira, Christine O’Hara, and Jess Spenser came to the table and presented an overview (attached to these minutes) of the 22-23 school year. Ms. Graziano announced that she will be taking a leave of absence as co-chair while serving on the school committee.

The committee thanked the board members for attending and for the presentation.

b. Budget Sub-Committee Report: 6/7/23
Mr. Buccigross summarized the meeting of June 7, 2023. Topics included, grants and gifts, athletic budget and fees, ESY and substitute rates, audits/reports, state budget, and town budget process.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to accept the budget subcommittee report. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion carried.

It was reminded that textiles can not be disposed of in the trash-only the textile bins.

c. Athletic Update and Summer Strength and Conditioning Fee (Action Requested)
The proposal to increase athletic fees has been withdrawn with the exception of summer conditioning.

- Gus Perez
Shared his observations at the budget sub committee meeting on June 7, 2023 and the lack of information shared out. He expressed his support for students not having to pay fees to play sports and look forward to further discussions.

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw expressed her hope that the information request to the AD will still be fulfilled.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Curran to approve the $50 summer conditioning fee. Motion carried.

A request was made to track attendance for the summer program.

d. Job Description: School Safety and Engagement Liaison (Action Requested)
This is a school year position and would work closely with the Assistant Superintendents, WPD/WFD,Safety committees and oversee district security protocol. The position would be housed at the Chapman School. It was suggested to take the location out of the description as needs maychangefor locations.

Motion by Mr. Buccigross to approve the job description of the School Safety and Engagement Liaison with the changes discussed. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

e. Policy JJJA - Resident Student Eligibility to Participate in Extracurricular Activities and Interscholastic Athletics- (Action Requested)

Policy JJJA will be moved to a second reading.

-Guz Perez
Inquired where consequences of violations are posted. They are listed in the handbook.

f. Gift Report (Action Requested)
Monetary donations received = $78,876.50 and In Kind = $69,205.13

Motion by Mr. Buccigross to accept the gift report. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

The report will be posted on line.

g. Ratification of CBA Memorandumof Agreement with SEIU888VanDrivers/Monitors/CDL Drivers (Action Requested)
Mrs. Curran shared that the SEIU 888 has ratified the contract and that negotiations were great. Financial impact is $131K over 3 years.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement with SEIU 888 Van Drivers/Monitors/CDL Drivers. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion carried.

h. Superintendent Evaluation (Action Requested)
The Superintendent was given an overall rating of proficient which is very good.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the 2023 summative Superintendent Evaluation. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

The evaluation is available online.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson- Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the meeting of June 14, 2023. Design and development timeline as well as transportation canopy were discussed. A prebid walk through for contractors was held on 6/6/23. Bidding will be on flooring, paint, HVAC, electrical, acoustical, etc. It will be reported once a contract has been awarded.

Next meeting will be on August 8, 2023

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

Announcements:
-SEPAC-June 20, 2023- virtual meeting
-Budget Sub-Committee-June 21, 2023, 6:00pm- Abigail Adams Library

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, August 17, 2023- 5:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm on the motion of Ms. Sherlock-Shangraw, seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Superintendent kindergarten presentation
• SEPAC presentation
• Summer Strength and Conditioning Fee
• School Safety & Engagement Liaison
• Policy JJJA
• Superintendent Evaluation

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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