March 23, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
March 23, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 4/6/23)

Members In Attendance: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steven Buccigross, Mayor Hedlund (7:10pm)

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

The meeting began at 6:02pm

Mrs. Curran 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 7:00pm

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

Dr. Sullivan led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 38-2023 in the amount of $1,061,850.52. Dated 3/20/23
• Regular Minutes: 3/9/23

Motion by Mrs. Curran to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangaw. Motion passed unanimously.

Student Senate
Students Josephine, Brooke and Lauren presented their update (attached to these minutes). Topics included capstone, guidance, CTE, Skills USA competition, Music in our schools month, WALC, Diversity Leadership conference, WHTC going to festival finals, clubs and extracurriculars, and class council.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to take out of order the Report of the Superintendent. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Report of the Superintendent:
The Superintendent expressed his thanks to building administrators and staff for their hard work during these times of societal issues.

Strategic plan update: Visioning work started June 2021, with community and staff feedback 3 themes have been identified; student learning, student belonging, and family and community partnerships. There are upcoming open house sessions for staff on 3/28 and 3/30 from 2:30-5pm for additional feedback.

Instructional rounds were conducted at the Seach school last week. Equity, empowerment and engagement were emphasized.

Superintendents are advocating for reduction in the 14% out of district tuition increase with the legislature.

The Superintendent shared from the Weymouth Food Pantry that 1 in 9 residents suffer from food insecurity. The Food Pantry provided over 50,000 pounds of food to Weymouth residents in 2022.

Thanks and appreciation was expressed to Malissa Northup and senior students for a successful Capstone fair.

Crossing guards were recognized during national crossing guard appreciation day on 3/22/23.

Upcoming Events:
4/5/23-Seniors Jamie Murphy and Taylor Whipple are hosting an ‘Inclusion Has No Limits’ event which includes a Unified basketball game.
4/27/23-Special Olympics
5/16-International Festival

Upcoming Senior class dates:
Last day of classes-May 22
Senior finals-May 23-26
Graduation rehearsal june 1 and 2
Graduation June 3

Superintendent Wargo invited Principal Meehan and Associate Principal Dolan to address the committee and community regarding recent events at Chapman.

Principal Meehan apologized for the lapse in communication and acknowledged the issues of aggression and bystanding that are currently happening and how they are impacting the school community. It was emphasized that the incidents are not reflective of the greater school community. Accountability, redirection, restorative practices, and assistance from outside agencies are part of addressing the issues. Parent and student focus groups have been formed. Handling conflict was spotlighted. An optional staff meeting was held and powerful feedback was gained. It was reiterated that administrators are highly aware of the issues and doing many things in response and that the issues are more than a school issue but a community issue.

The committee thanked the Principals for attending and their openness and honesty in speaking about next steps.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.
-Rachel Collins, 23 Bengel Rd.
Spoke on behalf of friends with students at Chapman. She quoted 2/19/23 updated DESE guidance and expressed support for trauma sensitive training. She implored the committee to start an administrative trauma sensitive cohort. She reiterated that adjustment counselors are for all students, not just those on IEPs.

-Mary Jordan Roy, 31 Bray Rd.
As a parent of an 8th grader expressed her concern and asked for an actionable plan. She expressed her appreciation to staff and offered her help and assistance as well.

-Danielle Grazaiano
430 Ralph Talbot St.
Spoke on concerns of bullying and fighting at Chapman and asked for communication and shared that everyone is entitled to FAPE (free and appropriate public education) and asked for empathy.

-Suzanne Broguette, 494 Pleasant St.
Parent of 2 Chapman students and a licensed mental health counselor offered help and asked for a parent meeting to create an action plan going forward for a safe and inclusive learning environment

-Joesphine Burke, 265 Broad St.
Spoke on the senior parking lot and safety and offered a solution of having busses exit on Pleasant St. and students exit on Park Ave.

NEW BUSINESS
Budget Subcommittee Report-3/22/23
Mr. Buccigross summarized the meeting of March 22. Topics included grants, audits, the FY24 budget to be voted on later in the meeting, FY24 needs list and potential Chapman needs.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to accept the report of the budget subcommittee. Seconded by Mrs. Curran.

Submission to Office of the Mayor of Proposed FY24 Level Service Operating Budget of $84,039,301.00
A supplemental needs list will also be submitted to the Mayor's Office. The budget presentation is available on the website:

Motion by Mrs. Curran to submit to The Office of the Mayor of the Proposed FY24 Level Service Operating Budget of $84,039,301.00. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Curran shared that there are a lot of needs on the needs list that need to be addressed. The Mayor expressed his thanks to Assistant Superintendent Smith and Chief of Staff Langill.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policy IJNDB - Acceptable Use Policy - Third Reading
There are no new changes from the second reading.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve Policy IJNDB, Acceptable Use. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
The bid proposal timeline was reviewed at the last meeting. Bids will be released March-April and due at the End of April with award at the end of June.

The next meeting will be April 11 potentially at 89 Middle St.

Announcements:
-Budget Sub-April 5, 2023-6:00pm-111 Middle Street-this meeting may be canceled and combined with the May 3, 2023. More info to come.
-Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - April 11th - 3:30 - School Administration/Virtual

-Hazardous Waste Day - April 1 residents encouraged to sign up
-Herring Run cleanup Day- April 1
-Community Cleanup Day - April 22 with get together for volunteers after at King Oak Hill Park Dr. Sullivan shared that for personal reasons he will be stepping down as Chair and that 4/6/23 will be his last school committee meeting. He expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to previous and current school committee members, Superintendents, administrators, and educators.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 6, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm on the motion of Mrs. Curran, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Student Senate Report
• FY24 Summary Budget
• Policy IJNDB

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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