February 1, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
February 1, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 2/15/24)

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

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund, Steven Buccigross

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

The meeting began at 6:02 pm

Mrs. Nardone moved to enter into executive session;
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: WEA Level III Grievance
Motion seconded by Mrs. Devine. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm
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: 30 -2024 Date: 1/22/24 Amount: $1,792,335.76
• Regular Meeting Minutes: 1/18/24
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 1/11/24
• Executive Session Minutes: 1/18/24

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.
Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo congratulated WHS basketball player Edrick Louissant on scoring his 1000th point and the girls indoor track team members Kate Carnes, Leah Glavin, Gracie Richard and Izzy Galusha for winning 4x800 and placing 12th in the nation.

Kindergarten registration is open and will close on April 1, 2024.

5 volunteers, including Ms. Graziano, have completed the training orientation for the Chapman volunteer group.

The Superintendent presented an update (attached to these minutes) on the Strategic Plan. Planning began in June of 2021 with educational visioning by Dr. Locker as well as stakeholder input. Hundreds of hours of work have taken place. The timeline was reviewed. From visioning came engagement, empowerment, and equity which are now focus areas of student learning, student belonging, and family & community partnerships. Goals, expected outcomes, and action steps were outlined. Alignment from District to School to Department and Teachers was shared. Student learning, student belonging, and family & community partnerships are included at all levels and represented in each school's school improvement plan. One pager District Vision will be posted around the schools.

WEA President Murphy asked that the word Teacher be replaced with Educator in the presentation.

Intervention strategies, attendance, student success as well as resolute instructional leaders were discussed. Relationship building between students and school adults was emphasized.

A suggestion was made to include the focus areas on all communications going out.

All questions by the committee were addressed. Thanks for the presentation.

Superintendent Wargo shared that the district is proposing to have 3 modular spaces at the Hamilton school. Increasing enrollments as well as possible redistricting was mentioned. It was noted that the School Committee would have to vote to add and place modulars. Modular spaces will be placed on the capital list. Short term (5-7 years) and long term (7+ years) plans to accommodate the district's growing needs as well as growing student needs were stressed. Modulars would be similar in size to the ones at Academy and installation to Talbot. Which programming that would be housed in the modulars is still being evaluated.

As Johnson will be vacant starting September 2024, talks of alternate uses may include dual language school, innovation school, or a 9th primary school. Both the language and innovation schools would be part of the WPS system. Information was requested whether Chapman has increased student retainment. Boilers and heating assessment are included on the capital list. Johnson was built in 1951. Stakeholder input will be gathered on future use of Johsnon. A request was made for the Superintendent to keep the committee updated on enrollments, capacities and numbers.

Assistant Superintendent Smith shared that the goal of having the site ready at Mitchell Field for the Open Air Transportation Structure is September 2024. The building could potentially be a solar project and will house ~30 vans. Thanks and appreciation was expressed to the van drivers, monitors, and maintenance for their patience.

Capital Plan requests (attached to these minutes) of curriculum and instructions, instructional technology, and operations & maintenance that will be submitted to town were reviewed.

Funding of the Adams measures were discussed. An additional measure would be needed for exterior work.

Capital Requests will be included in the public hearing on March 7, 2024.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Budget Sub-Committee Report-1/24/24
Assistant Superintendent Smith shared that the goal for the FY25 budget is level service expenses, level service staff, however budget factors of increasing needs of all students, competitive salaries, end of ESSER funding and circuit breaker obligations may impact that. Contractual bargaining is in addition to these factors. Projections of the fiscal cliff were presented in the Fall of 2022. Typical funding of 3.8% from town may be impacted by revenues. State revenue Chapter 70 and charter school reimbursement is flat. The preliminary budget will be available 2/15/24. The next budget meeting will be February 7 at 6:00pm.

b. Superintendent Goals & Focus Indicators (Action Requested)
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to table Superintendent goals until the next meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

c. School Committee Goals (Action Requested)
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the 2023-2024 School Committee Goals as corrected in the Meeting of the Whole; Promoting an Inclusive and Supportive Environment, Partnering with the Superintendent on the Master Facilities Plan, Negotiating Collective Bargaining, Maintaining the Policy Handbook, Approval of the Budget, and Superintendent Evaluation. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Weymouth High School Program of Studies-Second Reading-Principal Monahan, Interim Associate Principal Northup
Principal Monahan explained that language will be amended to ‘highly recommend’ for the prerequisite of Jazz Band.

There was no public comment on the WHS program of studies.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to combine the second and third reading of the WHS program of studies. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the WHS program of studies as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Policies for Second Reading:

IE - Organization of Instruction
IGD - Curriculum Adoption
IHAI - Occupational Education IHBG-R - Homeschooling
IMA - Teaching Activities/Presentation
IMG - Animals in School
EFC - Universal Free School Meals
EFD - School Nutrition Program Charge Policy
IMGA - Service Animals in School
EFE - Civil Rights Complaint Policy for Child Nutrition Programs
IGA & IGD - Curriculum Development and Adoption

Mrs. Curran advised these policies include minor edits or are being removed-recommendations by MASC.

There was no public comment for these policies

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to combine the second and third readings of the policies listed on the agenda. Motion passed unanimously

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the recommendations of the policy sub committee for policies IE, IGD, IHAI, IHBG-R, IMA, IMG, EFC, IMGA EFE, IGA & IGD. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith gave an update of the last meeting. Exterior work was discussed and there was a walkthrough. Van loop, parent and staff parking, as well as green space were talked about. There will be additional cost for exterior work. The early education program entrance will be on the Academy Ave side of the building and security will be with fobs and keys There will be a lift at the gym entrance.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes.

-Elizabeth Foster Nolan, 54 House Rock Rd
Inquired why a safety update was not part of the agenda as it was stated that it would be a standing agenda item in a previous meeting.

-Katie Monteiro, 8 Chauncey St
Commented on the amount of the deficit and items on the capital list. She suggested the money used for lit signage at WHS could be spent elsewhere like adding additional fob access at primary schools.

Announcements:
SEPAC-February 27, 2024, 7pm Zoom-Federation for Children with Special Needs
SEPAC-April 23, 2024-Resource Fair at Chapman
Scholarship applications are still available,more information on Weymouth Scholarship FB page

Next School Committee Meeting:
Meeting of the Whole: Monday, February 5, 2024 - 6:00pm
Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 15, 2024 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:38pm
on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Superintendent’s Report-Strategic Plan presentation
• Facilities Update and Capital Plan presentation
• WHS Program of Studies
• Proposed Changes to WHS Program of Studies
• IE - Organization of Instruction
• IGD - Curriculum Adoption
• IHAI - Occupational Education
• IHBG- Homeschooling
• IMA - Teaching Activities/Presentation
• IMG - Animals in School
• EFC - Universal Free School Meals
• EFD - School Nutrition Program Charge Policy
• IMGA - Service Animals in School
• EFE - Civil Rights Complaint Policy for Child Nutrition Programs
• IGA & IGD - Curriculum Development and Adoption
• JC - Attendance Areas
• JCA - Assignment of Students to Schools

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center
February 1, 2024
MEETING OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
(approved 2/15/24)

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

Members Absent: Steven Buccigross, Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting was called to order at 5:09 pm

Language of School Committee:
Goal 1-Promoting an Inclusive and Supportive Environment was talked through. It was explained that the state rate is specific to Weymouth. Tracking and receiving of PRS (problem resolution system) filings was discussed. It was mentioned that data can change month to month, may not be longitudinal, and the process from filing to resolution can be quite long as well as time spent extensive. Receiving data of cases filed and if found non-compliant was requested. Educating families was stressed. There will be 3 bullets for 1.
-Reducing Overall non-compliance.
-Parent education, collaboration and transparency to reduce complaints submitted to DESE.
-Oversight of targeting the state rate of education environments within full inclusion.

Goal 2-Facilities Plan-work is underway and the Superintendent will be reporting to the School Committee later at the 2/1/23 meeting.

Goal 3-Negotiate School Contracts-the typo of In will be fixed. Work is ongoing
Goal 4-Work is ongoing to maintain the policy handbook
Goal 5-Approve the Budget-underway

Goal 6-Evaluate the Superintendent-discussion of evaluating student achievement MCAS during formative assessment was had. In previous years MCAS data is received after the Superintendents summative evaluation. It was shared that MCAS is an important piece of progress and evidence for student achievement. iReady and Dibels assessments will still be evaluated during the summative evaluation.

The committee suggested having a safety goal as part of the Superintendents or School Committee goals. The Superintendent goals will be tabled until the next meeting to allow the Superintendent to add this 5th goal.

Current Superintendent goals:
Master Facilities Plan
Student Achievement
Student Attendance
Communication/Engagement

The DESE Indicator Rubric for Superintendents was passed out. Discussion of which standards and indicators to use for evaluation was had. Consensus was reached for the following Standards and numbered indicators:

-Master Facilities Plan-Standard II-E-Management & Operations-Fiscal Systems
-Student Achievement-Standard I-E-Instructional Leadership-Data-Informed Decision Making and Standard I-F-Instructional Leadership–Student Learning (for MCAS - during formative evaluation)
-Student Attendance-Standard III-D-Family & Community Engagement-Family Concerns
-Communication/Engagement-Standard IV-C-Communications and Standard IV-E-Shared Vision

Potentially using Management & Operations indicator A-Environment for the new safety goal was suggested. It was confirmed that MCAS results data will be evaluated during formative evaluation. The Chair reminded members to meet with the Superintendent prior to March 21, 2024 when formative assessment is discussed.

The Superintendent will add corresponding standards and indicators decided tonight to his goals

The Meeting adjourned at 6:02pm on the motion of Mrs. Curran, seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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