March 9, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
March 9, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 3/23/23)

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

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm
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 34-2023 in the amount of $1,323667.15. Dated 2/21/23
• Warrant 36-2023 in the amount of $632,566.07. Dated 3/6/23
• Regular Minutes: 2/16/23

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

The Chair informed that there would be 4 opportunities for public comment; as stated on agenda, for public hearing of school choice and the bFY24 budget as well as for policy IJNDB

Public Comment
-Heike Tuplin, 1212 Emeline Rd.
Spoke as the treasurer of the WEA on the average teacher salary of $95,490 on June 30, 2021 that was shared out at the last school committee. She thanked Assistant Superintendent Smith for clarifying the figure and expressed disappointment that there wasn’t an explanation with the figure and shared that the number did not include retirements, resignations or leaves of absences and that there other positions besides teachers in the Unit A contract. The correct average teacher salary is $83,377. She further stated that DESE Dart data has Weymouth trending down, and Cambridge, Falmouth, and Attleboro are trending up. She urged the committee for strong communication and to settle a fair contract.

-Jen Loud, 96 Nash Memorial, Abington
Shared that to provide students with an appropriate education fitting their needs is to limit class size and caseloads. She also urged for fair compensation to teachers which shows appreciation and values teachers. She spoke on the dedication of WEA members.

-Breda Kealy, WPS
Spoke on her 17 years of experience and the educators who’ve left the district, She spoke on the rise in social emotional needs of students and the need for increased support of trained staff in the building, as well as increased class size and caseload. She mentioned teaching through covid and also through an expired contract and asked the committee to settle the contract fairly and quickly.

-Katies Owens, WPS
Spoke to the community on her 23 years of dedication and care as well as financial contributions made to support their children and provide the best education for them. Sharing that teachers are team members of families supporting their children.

-James Maskell, 231 Central St.
As an educator in Weymouth for 21 years and 7th negotiation spoke on the negotiation process and read a passage from ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ and urged the committee to work with the WEA and not against and that the WEA will stand together until they receive the contract that is deserved.

-Danielle Civitarese, JECC
As a 3rd year life skills teacher expressed appreciation for coworkers and students and disappointment at 3 educators leaving the school in February. She asked for a fairly compensated contract.

-Lynn Howard on behalf of Cassie Carey
Shared the comments of a special education teacher that works a second job at Stop and Shop to make ends meet who could not attend. Mentioned having an anti bullying curriculum,increased caseloads, the work that is done on personal time-lesson planning and accomodations, modifying curriculum, as well as the roles that teachers fill besides being an educator to children.

-Dr. Murphy, WEA President
Expressed his sincere thanks to the committee for the moment of silence observed for his mother who dedicated her life to education as present educators are doing. Shared his experience of the last 30 years of negotiations and desire to continue the give and take relationship and implored the committee to settle a fair contract without delay to attract and retain teachers as it's the right thing to do.

Mrs. Curran left the table at 7:42 and returned at 7:44.
A brief recess was taken, 7:42-7:46pm.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo stated that instructional rounds at the primaries are ongoing and that 5 schools have been completed. Pingree was this week and Academy, Nash, and Seach are still to be completed.

The Superintendent met with Coop CTE students, Dominic Sances, Andre Bergara, Kieth Murphy, Emmanuel Beaucoup, Dylan Baker, Adrian Zhang who support tech needs in the district. The senior students are off to UMass, Villanova, and RIT.

A training workshop will be held on May 9 for building administrators regarding handling challenges, understanding, and support of and for economically disadvantaged and high needs students.

Strategic plan is with input from all school building staff, community, groups and stakeholders-3 zones determined: Student belonging, Student Learning, Family & Community partnerships. An email will go out to WPS staff for more input.

The Diversity Summit will be held May 9 more info to come. Staff can choose to attend the summit as part of their PD day.

NEW BUSINESS
Budget Subcommittee Report-3/8/23
Mr. Buccigross summarized the meeting of March 8. Topics included, proposed fee increases, grants, DESE Dart data, the Governor's proposed $5.5B budget, Chapter 70, contract requests, FY24 needs list and budget.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to accept the budget report of 3/8/23. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Mrs. Nardone clarified that a vote was not taken and fees will come before the committee in May for vote. Documents for budget sub are available at: https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/budget-sub-committee/pages/agendas-and-docume nts

Conduct Special Hearing
School Choice-as reported in the February 10, 2023 Patriot Ledger
Is voted on every year relating to a provision in the Education Reform Act, MGL C76,S7612B which allows for non-residents to attend Weymouth schools without paying tuition. The committee may have future discussions dependant on the master facilities plan.

Public Comment
-Danielle Graziano
Expressed hope that resident special education students who are placed in out of district schooling be given priority to attend school in Weymouth over non resident students.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to opt out of school choice. Motion seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

FY24 Budget-as reported in the February 10, 2023 Patriot Ledger
Assistant Superintendent Smith reviewed the budget that was presented (attached to these minutes) at the budget subcommittee the night before and thanked Chief of Staff Langill for attending this evening. Topics summarized:
-Food service participation has increased to 60% at the high school, 70% in the middle school, and 60-70% at the primary schools.
-Participation is encouraged to attend meetings to be part of the budget process.
-Budget timeline, schedule, and types of budgeting funds -capital plan (assets over $25K with a life span of 3-5yrs)-highest needs totaling ~$5.1M -ESSER one time funding expenditures (being sure to supplant, not supplement the budget),
-Buckets of mental health and unfinished learning
-Chapter 70 aid and factors, change in state aid-net increase of $$128,253=.05% of current FY23 budget. It was emphasized that the school department is heavily reliant on local appropriations
-Budget drivers -Budget approach-goal of level service -FY24 needs list=$5.1M; 96 positions, partially funded by ESSER for FY24 -Budget history and forecast
-Expense classification-human service industry=90% of budget is people
-10 Bargaining units
-Proposed Level Service Budget=$81,038,301-3.54% increase over FY23
-Proposed FY24 draft budget=$85,391,835-additional requests-continue to work with town

Mr. Buccigross left the table at 8:20 and returned at 8:22pm.

The committee thanked Mr. Smith for his professionalism and transparency and for the great presentation and for his hard work and that of his team Alyssa Bosse, Amy Mohr. Thanks was express to Chief of Staff Langill, the Mayor’s office and Mr. Malary.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to open public comment on the FY24 budget, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried.

-Chief of Staff Langill
Gave an overview of budget timing as items. Work is being done to try to stay within a 3% increase over last year which equals~%6M.The town budget will be submitted April 18 and presented to Town Council on Apr 24, 2023 . The town is reliant on tax levy as receipts have leveled off, new growth will net about ~$2M. Insurance cost increases for GIC will be kept to ~1%. Hope was expressed that the legislature will do something different with Chapter 70. 5 of the last 7 school budgets have been level serviced and all efforts will be made to cover the 3.54% increase.

-Heather Downs, 28 Chard St.
Shared her opinion that the school committee should put forth a budget for the best school system possible and let Town Council figure out financing. She expressed having enough teachers, ESPs, guidance counselors to meet all ratios and needs of most vulnerable populations.

Clarification was made by Assistant Superintendent Curtin that there are 2 guidance counselors and 7 adjustment counselors at Chapman.

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to close public hearing on the FY24 budget. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw.

The chair shared that school committee is not able to levy taxes or take out loans and encourage the community to look into operational override as Weymouth remains in the lower 17% of school funding

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policy IJNDB - Acceptable Use Policy - Second Reading
Dr Sherlock Shangraw shared that draft policy is the same however Freedom of Information Act information will be deleted as it is not necessary to this policy. It was reiterated for staff and students to be made aware of the policy. Policy IJNDB will move forward for a third reading.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
Project timeline will be presented at the next meeting on March 14.

Announcements:
The last day of school will be voted on in April. The budget will be voted on at the March 23 meeting. WHTC made it through semifinals and will be performing in the next round on March 18 at Chapman. March 14 is a ½ PD day. Capstones are week next week. SEPAC is meeting on March 21, 2023

With 2 collective bargaining sessions next week a suggestion for a possible executive session was brought up.
-Budget Sub-March 22, 2023-6:00pm-111 Middle Street
-Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - March 14th - 3:30 - School Administration/Virtual

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 23, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm on the motion of Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw, seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• FY24 Budget Presentation
• Policy IJNDB

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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