April 4, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
April 4, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 4/25/24)

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 5:30pm

Mrs. Nardone moved to enter into executive session;
A.Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3): To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiations (SEIU 888 Van Drivers/Monitors MOA re: Multi-Function School Activity Bus)
B. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel (1. Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools, and 2. Confidential Administrative Assistant to the School Committee) Motion seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

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

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was observed for WPS Occupational Therapist of 22 years, Janet Jepson who passed away suddenly over the weekend.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 40-2024 Date: 4/1//24 Amount: $1,090,329.88
• RegularMeetingMinutes: 3/21/24
• ExecutiveSession Minutes: 3/21/24
• Budget Sub - Committee: 3/20/24
• FieldTrip: Grades 9-12, Music/Band/Choir: Lincoln Center, Times Square, Cotton Club, Ambassador Theater, NY, NY April 21-22, 2024.

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

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo shared that 354 kindergarten registrations were received by the deadline of April 1. Another 75+ registrations are expected.

Tours of Adams for continuing and existing JECC families are ongoing and going well. To accommodate transition of EEC students to Adams, shared opportunities will be on hold for the first 2 months.

The Superintendent will be attending the North Weymouth Civic Association to have surface conversations about the repurpose of the JECC building; elementary, dual language, or innovation school. Expected opening is Fall of 2025. Hope was expressed for a vote on which option by the end of the school year.

The Eclipse is April 8, 2024. Caution was expressed for looking at the sun. MIAA is requesting athletic events to start after 3:30-4pm. Dismissal time will not be altered.

MCAS is taking place in all schools.

Request was made for the committee to vote on the MOA with SEIU van drivers and monitors regarding the multifunction school activity bus; members will have first right of refusal. The MFSABwillassist with students getting to after school activities and athletics.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the MOA between WPS and SEIU 888 van drivers and monitors ensuring first right of refusal. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

International Festival will be on May 14, 2024 at Chapman from 5 - 8:30pm

Weymouth’s Got Talent will take place in the Chapman auditorium on May 3, 2024 at 6:30pm.

Principal Perez sent out a survey for naming the EEC program at Adams. School Committee will vote on the name of the building.

A more formal substantive presentation of what the 3 different options would look like for the repurpose of the JECC building was requested. Concern was expressed for timeline, transportation and contractual impacts, staffing and the budget.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Student Handbooks- First Reading- Melanie Curtin, Asst. Superintendent, Karen Bonner, Dean, WHS & Jennifer Dolan, Principal, Chapman Middle School
Assistant Superintendent Curtin summarized changes to the 2024-25 school year district handbook (attached to these minutes).

Principal Dolan reviewed changes to the Chapman handbook (attached to these minutes). Updates to current practices, dates, and clerical modifications.

Dean Bonner andPrincipal Monahan summarized changes to the 2024-25 WHS handbook (attached to these minutes). Updates to current practices.

Handbooks and proposed changes are posted on the website.

b. Primary Student Assessment Report- Richard Bransfield, Exec. Director of Elementary Education
Executive Director Bransfield presented i-Ready and Dibels Data for grades Kindergarten and grades 1-5 as well as grant funding received. Performance assessment and 3 year growth was summarized.

Discussion of mid or above grade level, # of absent testers, and alternate testing was had. Clarification on raw numbers was requested.

Great Minds is the supplier/publisher of the Wit and Wisdom Curriculum. Consultants from Great Minds, and Rivet education are used for coaching, PD and ‘train the trainer’. The goal is to be self-sustaining. Differentiated instruction and MTSS supports are used for students.

All questions by the committee were addressed.

c. Master Plan Update- Matt Meehan, Director of Educational Facilities Planning
Mr. Meehan presented the Master Plan Update (attached to these minutes). Topics included Space, Enrollment, Capacity, and Facilities. Space is of the biggest concern and enrollment and class size is trending upward. Phase 1 and capital measure (waiting approval) of adding modular classrooms at Hamilton is underway. Average year of school buildings built is in 1960; wear and tear was commented upon.

Adams EEC educational layout, MSBA inspection of building systems, school closure, renovation or combined unified elementary school as well as redistricting was discussed. The district is waiting on approval of Capital measure for the JECC boiler project.

Concern was expressed for the plans and specifics for the JECC building repurpose of an elementary, innovation or dual language school. Request was made for members to be included and better informed.

d. Budget Sub-Committee Report: 4/3/24 (Action Requested)
Ms. Graziano summarized the meeting of 4/3/24. Items covered at the meeting were student opportunity act, Adams repurposing fund transfer, ESY and substitute rates will be brought back to the May1meeting. Public comments made by community member G.Perez.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the report of the budget subcommittee. Seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion passed unanimously.

e. Student Opportunity Act- Asst. Superintendent Smith (Action Requested)
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the 3 year plan submission.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the Weymouth Public Schools Student Opportunity Act Plan for school years 2024-2026. Motion passed unanimously.

f. Last Day of School (Action requested)
Last day (½ day) for the district will be June 20, 2024. Last day (½ day) for Hamilton will be June 21, 2024.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the Superintendents recommendations for the school year 2023-24 last days of schools; June 20 for the district and June 21 for Hamilton. Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson- Assistant Superintendent Smith
Interior renovations are ongoing. Principal Perez will join OAC meetings as finishings, floors, painting, and FF&E are discussed. The project is running ahead of schedule and a September opening is planned. Town Council passed a measure for residual funds from lending transferred to the Adams repurposing fund of $928K, increasing project appropriation to $5.6M.

b. District Safety & Security Update
There are more staff in hallways and by bathrooms engaging in student relationship building for proactive student behavior.

Chapman bathroom gates have been repurposed by the maintenance department.

Public Comment

In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes.

-Kelly Aieta, 67 Donnellan
Voiced concerns:

• lack of MCAS preparation
• disciplinary measures
• visible consequences
• handbook publication/accessibility
• Superintendent non renewal
• extra security staff at Chapman
• Prioritizing safety

The Superintendent thanked Ms. Aieta for meeting with Principal Dolan and himself earlier in the week, her comments, and attending the meeting.

Ms. Graziano thanked Ms. Holmes & Ms. Collins for inviting her to read to their students.

An update for the Adams Academy program and program description as well as SSDR data with corresponding interventions was requested.

Suggestion was made for the Superintendent to bring the facilities update to the North WeymouthCivic Association and also to verify absence language to match handbooks on the website.

Members were asked to email the Chair if interested in reinstating the Adams Repurpose sub committee.

Announcements:
SEPAC-Resource fair at Chapman playground, April 23, 2024
Executive Session-April 11, 2024-5:30pm, location TBD

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 25, 2024- 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 9:01 pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Student Handbooks
• Primary Assessment Report
• Master Plan Update
• Student Opportunity Act

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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• Field Trip Request: Grades 9-12 to Lincoln Center, New York City

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

• Draft WHS Handbook

• Draft MS Handbook

• Primary Student Assessment Report

• Master Plan Update