June 8, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
June 8, 2023
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 8/17/23)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Interim Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steven Buccigross

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

Also Present: Robert Wargo, Superintendent

The meeting began at 7:01pm

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

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Interview Candidates for Open Seat on School Committee:
The Chair gave an overview of the process. Candidates were drawn from a hat and will be called in order and asked a question by Secretary Palazzo and have 5 minutes to answer. Mrs. Curran will alert applicants when there is 30 seconds remaining.

The chair introduced and thanked each candidate for their interest in applying and for interviewing. Secretary Palazzo welcomed each candidate and asked: “ Why are you interested in serving on the Weymouth School Committee and what would your priorities be?”

-Mary Ellen-Devine
Expressed her thanks for the opportunity and gave an overview of her lengthy and varied experience within the district and her ability to contribute immediately to the committee. Examples of community involvement: Weymouth parent, coach, SEPAC, TWPC, and volunteer for numerous town organizations/programs.

-Ellen McNulty
Expressed her thanks for being considered and shared her experience in teaching, union leadership and education technology as well as her excitement for being an active memberwithin the community. Her priority would be to get to know the members and what imminent concerns there are.

-Danielle Graziano
Expressed her dedication to Weymouth schools and families as well as her experience of SEPAC, numerous volunteering and hiring committees, as well as Adams repurpose committee, in addition to attendance of all school committees and sub meetings. Her priority would be safety and inclusivity.

The committee thanked the candidates for their interest and expressed their appreciation for the caliber of applicants and the difficulty of the decision before them.

Discuss and Vote Candidate for Open Seat (Action Requested):
Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw shared her support for Ms. Graziano for her consistent attendance of sub and school committee meetings and respectful and collaborative interactions.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to appoint Danielle Graziano to the vacant school committee seat ending December 31, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Discussion:
Mrs. Curran expressed her support for Mary Ellen-Devine. Roll call, Mrs. Curran voted no. Motion passed.

Amended motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw: to appoint Danielle Granziano to the vacant school committee seat ending after the November election is certified. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote, amended motion passed.

It was suggested that Ms. Graziano reach out to the Town Clerk before the next meeting to be sworn in.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 15, 2023- 5:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 7:22pm on the motion of Mrs. Curran, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:
   Letters of Interest 

• MaryEllenDevine 
• EllenMcNulty 
• Danielle Graziano

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

---

 

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
June 8, 2023
MEETING  OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
(approved 8/17/23)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Interim Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steven Buccigross, Mayor Hedlund

Members Absent: 

Also Present: Robert Wargo, Superintendent

The meeting was called to order at 5:08 pm

Superintendent Evaluation
The overall evaluation rating of the Superintendent is Proficient.

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw compiled data collected from members into 1 PDF. Discussion of page 9 Family and CommunityEngagementwashad.Rating wasevenly distributed between needs improvement, proficient and exemplary. Consensus was reached to mark the overall rating as proficient for this goal.

The Superintendent queried Ms. Palazzo if the appropriate rating for her evaluation should be marked proficient or needs improvement. Ms. Palazzo shared that she would take time to review and let Ms. Pitts know if any edits were made.

For posting the valuation it was requested to leave the document as already assembled with all pages in 1 PDF.

Mrs. Nardone shared her disagreement of doing the evaluation in a public setting and pointed out that no other town position has a public evaluation.

Mrs. Curran shared her support of building based management and Mass. Ed. Reform and student achievement.

Ms. Palazzo added that there needs to be balance; building based management does not absolve the Superintendent of the responsibility of knowing everything going on in the district.

Superintendent Wargo expressed his appreciation for the process and to the committee for their feedback and support, that the evidence supplied supports their statements. He reiterated that his decisions are based on what is best for students and his desire to have the best staff in classrooms and in schools.

Discussion of testing data being released after evaluation was had as well as whether the Superintendent does a self assessment. The Superintendent will be entering year 3 of the 3 year newsuperintendent induction cohort. His mentor is retired Whitman-Hanson Superintendent Dr. Ruth Gilbert Whitner.

Preliminary elementary grade 3 scores are in the yellow (at or above grade level). The Superintendent is working to have scores above grade level.

With potential turnover in committee members it was suggested to have MASC do an evaluation training. The committee commented on the need to hold students to higher standards as well as rules and accountability. Support for the alternative pathways and superintendent evaluation process was expressed.

Update on School Committee Open Seat and Process
It was noted that the new memberwill have to be sworn in at town hall prior to the next meeting. Secretary Palazzo will ask the question and candidates will have 5 minutes to answer. Names were drawn for interview order:

1. MaryEllen Devine
2. Ellen McNulty
3. Danielle Graziano

The Meeting adjourned at 5:41pm on the motion of Mr. Buccigross, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

---