September 15, 2022 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
September 15, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 10/6/22)

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

Members Absent: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:59pm

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw moved to enter into executive session:,
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining sessions: Two WEA Level III grievances
b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining sessions: SEIU Local 888 Level III grievance re: Custodians
c. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiations: AFSCME, Council 93, Weymouth Traffic Supervisors Union

Motion seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The Meeting was called to order at 7:39pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 08-2023 in the amount of $1,071,877.36. Dated 8/22/22
• Warrant 10-2023 in the amount of $187,686.11. Dated 9/6/22
• Regular Minutes: 8/18/22
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 8/18/22
• Executive Session Minutes: 8/18/22

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

Public Comment
-Michelle Legere, 18 Mutton Lane
Shared her struggle with the experience of admission into the CTE program for her special education student and expressed her opposition to using a lottery system for CTE enrollment.

-Danielle Graziano, SEPAC Co-Chair
Conveyed her experience as a CTE graduate and the benefit of the program for students requiring services. She also shared her thoughts that the lottery system does not meet equity needs and asked for a larger conversation to be had.

-Lisa Dembowski, 80 Heather Lane
Expressed her thanks to WPS staff as well as her disagreement with the lottery system for CTE enrollment and urged more conversation. She also conveyed the excellence of the CTE program.

-John Hanula, Neck Street
Shared his issues with transportation as well as program relocation and services received for his Life Skills daughter at Ralph Talbot. He urged transparency and more proactive communication going forward.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo acknowledged that issues encountered during the first 8 days of school are being addressed and thanked the WPS educators and staff for a wonderful start to the year.

Finding qualified educators to fulfill open positions is of priority. At WHS a daily substitute is provided for French and Math(Algebra 1/Geometry) until the position is filled. Out of 14 classroom based positions, a couple remain unfulfilled. At Chapman there are still 2 ESPs positions available.

Thanks was expressed to Robin, Faith, and Laurie in Transportation for their hard work and fielding parent calls. Out of the First Student 30 bus fleet 4 are used for private schools. Additional buses are being looked at. Many factors are considered. Routing and logistic factors are being worked on. All applications received by the due date have been cleared from the waiting list.The Superintendent expressed his thanks to families for their patience.

A request for automated response for bus forms that families submit was made. Payment methods and reminders were discussed. It was commented that school start time may impact transportation routes.

Field trips were on hold for the month of September. Mitigating factors were considered when they were on hiatus. They will be evaluated on a monthly basis; there is a possibility for field trips in October. The Superintendent shared that field trips need to be tied to curriculum.

NEW BUSINESS

a. AFSCME, Council 93, Weymouth Traffic Supervisors Union MOU (action requested)

Mrs. Curran thanked Sheila, Bonnie, and Annette for meeting and ratifying and gave some highlights of the new contract. Supervisors will receive raises (new steps created) as well as increased longevity, number of school days were codified and language to utilize the stop sign while working. Uniform purchase has changed so that dress will be consistent. Total increase in cost of the 3 year contract is $20K.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to approve the Weymouth Traffic Supervisor MOU between AFSCME Council 93 and WPS. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll call vote, motion passed unanimously.

b. Space Request-non school sponsored trip French Promenade April 2024.(action requested)

It was emphasized that this is not a school sponsored trip for students.

Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to approve the Non-School sponsored trip French Promenade, April 2024. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Policy Sub Committee Report (action requested)

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw shared that the meeting was held to discuss Policy D,-fiscal management and grants, JRE-death of a student, and JQ-student fees to send to the full committee for readings review and vote. Discussed during next items on the agenda.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Dr. Sherlock to accept the report of the policy sub committee. Motion carried.

d. Policy Section D-Fiscal Management Grants-First Reading

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw advised that to memorialize in writing and to be transparent, grants will be reported on at budget sub committee meetings.

Policy Section D moved forward for second reading.

e. Policy JRE-Death of a Weymouth High School Student-First Reading

There will not be any substantive changes to this policy, only to clarify intention for families and remembrance committee.

Policy JRE moved forward for second reading.

f. Policy JQ-Student Fees, Fines and Charges-First Reading

Edits of fee reduction for families of this policy were discussed. Families may submit in writing to their building Principal for reduction.

Policy JQ moved forward for second reading.

g. CTE Admission Policy

CTE Director Gamache and Principal Monahan presented a proposed recommendation for a change in the CTE admission policy. The enrollment date would change from April 1 to February 1 and admission would be by lottery.

Much discussion was had on if the lottery is an equitable approach to enrollment. It was remarked that academic standings are removed from the admission process. Target enrollment is 165. In 2021-22, 177 students were admitted into CTE programming. Out of 17 districts that have CTE programming, 2 use the lottery system for admission. It was suggested that the New Chapman programs could increase participation in WHS CTE and that data would be helpful with student population, and in identifying options.

The committee shared their approval of the current policy and for moving the admission date to February 1.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to move the admission date for 2023 from April 1 to February 1. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

h. Job Description Discussion-HVAC Mechanic

This position has been on the needs list for many years and financially makes sense to perform preventative maintenance in HVAC and refrigeration. The position will save from having to contract out. Depending on the training and skill, pay would be on the higher end of the trade salary grid.

The HVAC job description will be moved for vote at the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Job Description: Senior Data & Assessment Analyst

Superintendent Wargo advised that this description is defining, not adding an additional role. The department has decreased from 3 people to 2. This position is 1 of the 2.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the Senior Data & Assessment Analyst job description. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Updates and Status of Chapman Middle School Opening 2022 - Assistant Superintendent Melanie Curtin

Superintendent Curtin expressed acknowledgement and thanks to the Mayor, Chief of Staff Langil, members of the School Building Committee, Ms. Palazzo and the School Committee, Principal Meehan, Dolan and their team, as well as members of the community for their support. Work is still extensive, students are acclimating.
The Hill and Bond Brothers are working through FF&E now.

Fine tuning fire drills will be ongoing. The committee commented on how wonderful the open house was.

c. Update and Status of Abigail Adams - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith

Assistant Superintendent Smith advised that transportation and maintenance have moved over to Adams and that other department moves will be forthcoming. A kick off meeting with the Early Education Center team was on September 13. Education plan and design were discussed. Design firm McKinnel, McKinnel & Taylor will be visiting JECC and Adams. The next public meeting will be on October 11, 3:30 pm at administration.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 6, 2022 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 9:14pm on the motion of Mr. Buccigross, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Policies, D, JRE, JQ
• HVAC mechanic job description
• CTE admissions policy
• Senior Data & Assessment Analyst Job description

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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