August 17, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee Workshop

Humanities Center & Zoom
August 17, 2023
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 9/14/23)

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

Members Absent: Steven Buccigross; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:06 pm.

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 Unit A
Level III Grievances
Motion seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:26pm
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 Adonai “Ady” Saint Fort who was a student at Ralph Talbot who passed away July 21, 2023.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 52 -2023 Date: 6/26/23 Amount:$ 1,668,116.0
  Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 53-2023 Date: 6/28/23 Amount: $ 615,229.62
  Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 54 -2023 Date: 6/29/23 Amount:$ 116,759.31
  Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 04 -2024 Date: 7/24/23 Amount:$ 487,463.93
  Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 06 -2024 Date: 8/7/23 Amount:$ 509,990.53
• Budget Sub Minutes: 6/21/23, 8/9/23
• Special Meeting Minutes: 6/8/23
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 6/8/23
• Regular Minutes: 6/15/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 6/15/23

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Report of the Superintendent:
The Superintendent introduced new administrators:
Tenille Brennan - Assistant Principal - Wessagusset
Amy Gaudette - Assistant Principal - Academy
Francesca McDevitt - Assistant Principal - Nash

The committee welcomed and thanked the administrators for attending.

Taken out of order:
c. 2023-2024 Calendar Changes (Action Requested)
WHS November parent teacher conferences were moved from November 13/14 to Wednesday November 15, 5-8pm and Thursday November 16, 12:15pm-2:15pm March 5, 2024 there will not be school for students or staff (due to new Unit A contract-183 working days).

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to approve the 2023-24 calendar changes. Motion seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed.

Appreciation and thanks was expressed to Ms. Pitts for organizing the school calendar.

New educators orientation is this week. 30-50 educators and administrators are in attendance. The Superintendent thanked Assistant Superintendent Curtin and Ms. Lynch for arranging.

Preliminary MCAS data is positive. Once the embargo is lifted data will be shared.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Alternative Pathways-Maureen Sullivan-Director
Ms. Sullivan gave an overview of the presentation (attached to these minutes) for the new alternative pathway program at Abigail Adams for 8th and 9th grade students.

All questions by the committee were addressed. A request was made for a follow up presentation at the school committee in March.

b. Budget Sub-Committee Report: 6/21/23, 8/9/23 (Action requested)
Tabled

d. Approval for Superintendent Robert Wargo to Participate on the Board of SouthShoreEducational Collaborative effective July 1, 2023 (Action Requested)
Ms. Graziano informed that her family is part of the collaborative

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Mrs. Curran for the approval for Superintendent Robert Wargo to participate on the board of South Shore Educational Collaborative retroactive to July 1, 2023. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith Assistant Superintendent Smith
informed that bids received came in 30% over the original estimation and had to be rebid. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent met with the Mayor’s office and $2M increased appropriation will be sought through Town Council. The intended target date of Fall of 2024 will not be impacted.

The next meeting will be Sep 12, 2023 at 3:30pm at Abigail Adams.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

There was none.

Announcements:
-Budget Sub-Committee-September 20, 2023, 6:00pm
- Abigail Adams Library
-Opening day for Staff-September 1, 2023
-Opening day for Students-September 5, 2023

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm on the motion of Ms. Sherlock-Shangraw, seconded by Ms. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• School Calendar
• Alternative Pathways presentation

Respectfully Submitted,
Carrie Palazzo,
Secretary

---