April 25, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
April 25, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 5/9/24)

 

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano; Dana Scott

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:30pm

Mrs. Curran moved to enter into executive session; Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3): To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiations:

• WEA Unit C contract (September 1, 2023- August 31, 2026)
• WEA Unit D contract (September 1, 2023- August 31, 2026) Motion seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw . Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:33pm
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:

• Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 42-2024 Date: 4/16/24 Amount: $1,395,008.15
• RegularMeetingMinutes: 4/4/24
• Executive Session Minutes: 4/4/24, 4/11/24
• Budget Sub-Committee: 4/3/24

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.

Thanks and appreciation was expressed to Dr. Verlicco, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Edelman, Ms.Krawciw, Ms. Levine, SEPAC and special education staff for their work in organizing the Special Olympics held at WHS today. The day wasagreat success for students and families.

Student Senate:
Students Josephine Campo, Manton Du, Kyarah Chery gave an update (attached to these minutes) on senior events, clubs, athletics and extracurricular activities at WHS.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo wished those that celebrate a Happy Passover.

The SEPAC resource fair at MWC wasagreat success, thanks was expressed to all who attended.

Shout out and congratulations to the girls softball team who are 6-2.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Mrs. Nardone to take b. Ratification of CBA Memorandum of Agreement with WEA Unit C (action requested) out of order. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed.

b. Ratification of CBA Memorandum of Agreement with WEA Unit C (action requested)
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to favorably vote and sign to ratify the CBA Memorandum of Agreement with WEA Unit C, BCBA’s. Motion passed unanimously.

School Committee members and the WEA President signed the contract.

Motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to take OLD BUSINESS a. Student Handbooks out of order. Motion passed.

a. Student Handbooks-Second Reading
Principals Monahan and Dolan and Dean Bonner came to the table. Updates were reviewed. Conversation regarding tardiness; time and number of days was had.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to combine the second and third reading of Students Handbooks. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Mrs. Devine to accept the handbooks as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

b. 2024-2025 School Committee Dates (action requested)
If there is a need for a July meeting, one can be added. The meeting dates align with the presentation schedule.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the schedule of 2024-25 school committee dates as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Curran asked for consensus from the committee to place the Capstone project/fair on a future agenda. Cost, time and effort, stress of senior year, and neighboring districts participating (only Holbrook) was mentioned. Consensus was reached to place as a May 9 agenda item.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
The Superintendent gave an update on the FY25 budget. On Apr 22, 2024 The Mayor put forth his budget to the Town Council. It included a school budget increase of 3.8% - $4,871,764. The proposed school budget put forth was a 5.78% increase - $3,198,405 leaving a $1.6M deficit; FY25 school budget of $87,472,240. An additional Kindergarten and 1st grade class will be needed adding ~$200K, deficit to $1.8M.

Community members are encouraged to attend the May 1 budget sub committee meeting. Budget cuts, non renewal versus reduction in force was talked through. School committee will revote the budget at the May 9 meeting as well as after the June 3 town council meeting.

Principal Perez is working with stakeholders complying with Policy FF for the naming of the early childhood program at Adams. The Johnson name will remain with the Johnson building. School Committee will vote on the name of the program at Adams.

Superintendent Wargo gave a presentation (attached to these minutes) for the possible repurpose of the JECC building. 3 school options were included: Dual Language (Portuguese), Innovation, and traditional elementary. Cost of innovation or dual language is ~$1M, a little less for traditional elementary. Redistricting would have to be worked out if adding a 9th elementary school. Scheduled opening in Fall of 2025.

Worry for the cost and timeline was expressed. Extensive discussion was had of space concerns, unintentional consequence, cost, and suggestion of pausing a year to have a thoughtful and detailed/comprehensive budget was made. There will be a community forum at 6:30 in the Chapman library on May 8 and more information will be shared out at the May 9 school committee meeting. Cascading in a K and 1s grade class at JECC was also remarked upon. Suggestion was made to change the venue to the Humanities Center so that it could be broadcast on WETC.

Assistant Superintendent Smith provided an update of the work at Adams. Interior renovations are ongoing; painting, flooring, finishes, counters, etc. fire and electrical work will be done in the summer after the school year.

b. District Safety & Security Update
There was an incident at the town sponsored carnival at WHS over the weekend. WPD responded.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes.
There was none.

Announcements:
-May 13, 2024, 7pm - Evening high School Graduation
-May 2, 2024 - National Honor Society Induction
-May 10, 2024 - Pre-Prom decorating volunteers needed, please reach out to WHS, Ms. Stokes or Principal Monahan
-May 3, 2024 - Chapman-Weymouth's Got Talent
-May 14, 2024 - Chapman-International Festival
-Wizard of Oz, Chapman Theatre 4/26 - 29/24

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 9:31pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• StudentSenatepresentation
• JECCRepurposeproposals
• Studenthandbooks
• 2024-25SchoolCommittee Dates

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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• Proposals for Johnson Building Use

• Student Handbooks - District Changes/MS/WHS Summary Sheet

• Draft WHS Handbook

• Draft MS Handbook