January 18, 2024 Meeting

• Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 28 -2024 Date: 1/8/24 Amount:$455,970.24
• Regular Meeting Minutes: 1/4/24
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 12/21/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 12/21/23, 1/4/24
• Policy Sub Minutes: 12/21/23

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

The chair advised that there have been forums held and great ideas given regarding student discipline. She asked for volunteers for parent groups as well as monitors for buses/vans.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo shared that by his numbers, 63 staff (out of 1031 between Units of A,B,C,D,ESIU, etc.) have left the district since July 1, not 100. Mainly retirements and resignations make up the 63 (6.1%). District staff retention rates versus state rates were compared.

The Superintendent summarized his school visits and happenings at Talbot, Chapman, and WHS. Thanks and appreciation were expressed to Mr. Ambrose, Ms. Noel, Ms. Caterer, Mr. DelVecchio, Ms. Heist, Ms. Mackey, and Mr. Byrne as well as Meteorologist David Williams who presented to students.

Kindergarten Registration will open January 19, 2024. Communication will go out and flyers will be posted all around town.

The Superintendent reiterated that student and staff safety is paramount and reviewed discussion, information, and action items (attached to these minutes) gathered from the forums. Volunteer groups, bathroom gates, infractions/offense discipline chart, and update to the handbook are currently being done however work will be ongoing. There is one security ESP position still available to be filled. The district will abide by education laws while keeping students and staff safe.

An extra orientation for students entering the new grade/building was suggested as well as ‘Chapman Ambassadors’.

The Superintendent will provide to the committee bullying data requested. A request was made for the Superintendent's presentation to be posted on the website in addition to an update on when the new website will be up and running. The Chair shared her experience at Chapman during lunch and encouraged committee members to visit. The committee will weave some of the Superintendent’s actions items to School Committee Goals. The committee requested the strategic vision behind the master facilities plan as well as a presentation on the future of JECC.

Thanks was expressed to community members who attended the forums and engaged in dialogue regarding school safety.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Weymouth High School - 24-25 Program of Studies - First Reading: Karen Monahan
Principal Monahan gave an overview of proposed changes (attached to these minutes) to the WHS program of studies(attached to these minutes). All questions by the committee were addressed. The Program of Studies will be moved to second reading.

b. Execute Deed to 111 Middle Street reverting the property back to the Town of Weymouth for general purposes (Action Requested)
Motion by Mrs. Curran to execute the deed signed under notary for 111 Middle Street to be returned back to the Town. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion carried unanimously.

c. Meeting of the Whole Report: 1/11/24
Covered in opening remarks and Superintendents report.

d. Budget Sub-Committee Report: 1/17/24 (Action Requested)
Tabled

e. Policy Sub-Committee Report: 1/8/24 (Action Requested)
Mrs. Curran summarized the meeting of 1/8/24 which began at 5:08pm. In addition to Mrs. Curran, members present were Mrs. Devine, Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw, Ms. Graziano, and Assistant Superintendent Curtin. Policies discussed were:

IE - Organization of Instruction
IGD - Curriculum Adoption-being removed as being replaced with IGA and IGD
IHAI - Occupational Education-CTE
IHBG-R - Homeschooling-removing
IMA - Teaching Activities/Presentation-removed
IMG - Animals in School-updated
EFC - Universal Free School Meals-updated
EFD - School Nutrition Program Charge Policy-updated
IMGA - Service Animals in School -updated
EFE - Civil Rights Complaint Policy for Child Nutrition Programs-required by USDA
IGA & IGD - Curriculum Development and Adoption-replacing IGD

The next meeting will be on 2/12/24 at 5:30pm.

Motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the Policy Sub Committee report. Motion passed unanimously.

f. Policies for First 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

Policies and changes are attached to these minutes and also the website. Policies will be moved to second reading.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policies for Third Reading
JC - Attendance Areas
JCA - Assignment of Students to Schools

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Curran to approve Policy JC-attendance areas. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve Policy JCA-Assignment of students to schools. Motion carried unanimously.

Community members are encouraged to view the policies on the website.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the meeting of January 18, 2024. Demo and abatement is complete. Work is continuing on HVAC, sheet rock, inspections, and electrical & plumbing rough. The timeline is running ahead of schedule. The next meeting will discuss FF&E, flooring, and mill work in addition to exterior work for spring such as van loop, parking, and play structures.

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

-Mike Murphy, WEA President
Advised that he stands by his number of 100 employees leaving since July 1, 2023. He expressed his dissatisfaction that a policy meeting concerning safety scheduled for 2/5/24 was canceled. The Policy Chair apologized for not reaching out in a timely manner. Mr. Murphy respectfully asked that the meeting be held.

-Tina Conte, 21 Taylor Drive
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments.

-Kate Readon, 45 Southern Ave.
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure that all employees of WPS earn a living wage.

-Lynn Howard, Teacher at Murphy
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure all employees of WPS have opportunities for mentorship.

-Christine Sinewick, 12 Burndale
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments.

-Maria Holden, ESP at Wessagusset
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure that all employees of WPS earn at a minimum a living wage.

-Katie Brian, 95 Parkview St
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that WPS employees have paid parental leave.

-Amy Herlihy, Teacher at Academy
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments.

-Laura Marino,
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that WPS employees have paid parental leave.

-Lindsey Mackey, 32 Cedar St
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments.

-Alicia Bussey, ESP at Pingree
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that WPS employees have year round job security.

-Sydney Lydon, ESP at Pingree
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure all employees of WPS have opportunities for mentorship.

-William Kelly, 23 High Street Pl
Shared his opinion about employee retention and educator burnout.

-Lisa Wiklund, 81 Aster Circle
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure all employees of WPS have opportunities for mentorship. She also volunteered to be a mentor to fellow library ESPs.

-Heike Tuplin, Teacher at Academy Ave
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure that all employees of WPS earn a living wage.

-Ydanna Chella, Teacher at Ralph Talbot
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure all employees of WPS have opportunities for mentorship.

-Katrina Foley, ESP at Academy
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments.

The Chair left the table at 8:50 and returned at 8:54pm.

-Christie Bell, 1051 Commercial St
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to commit to ensuring that all Weymouth students and educators have healthy and safe working and learning environments and for WPS employees to earn a living wage.

-Joni Cederholm, WEA VP
As a 30 year ESP, and mentor for the State expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure that all employees of WPS earn a living wage and mentorship opportunities.

-Carolyn Donohue, ABA ESP
Expressed support for the Unit D contract and for the School Committee to ensure that all employees of WPS earn at a minimum a living wage.

-Elizabeth Foster-Nolan, 54 House Rock Road
Spoke on the Chapman safety issues brought up at the January 4th meeting and subsequent forums. She inquired who is responsible for each step of the infraction chart and how it will be implemented. She suggested that the roll out be communicated and updates continue. She also suggested that forums be part of the school calendar. She urged for overcommunication so that families and students are aware.

-Alison Niagara, 8 McKinley
Expressed support for the unit D contract and living wage and also for new student orientations and Chapman Ambassadors. She inquired to Superintendent Wago who is in charge of the action items regarding safety.

Announcements:
The Chair shared that Mr. Buccigross has tendered his resignation from the School Committee. His last meeting will be March 1, 2023. He thanks the committee and members for their support. The committee will miss Mr. Buccigross immensely.

Miss Cederholm expressed concern that Mr. Buccigross' resignation will slow negotiations. Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw reassured that wouldn’t be the case.

-The Weymouth Scholarship applications are available on the town website. Applications are for any Weymouth community member enrolled in college classes.

-Shout out was given to Timmy Thompson who was the PA at a Boston College basketball game.

Letters of interest to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the term will be accepted. They can be mailed or emailed. Details are on the website.

Budget Sub: Jan 24, 2024
Meeting of the Whole: Feb 1, 2024
Executive Session: Feb 1, 2024

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 9:16pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Superintendent’s Report
• 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