January 4, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

WHs Humanities Center
Jan 4, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 1/18/24)

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

Members Absent: 

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

The meeting began at 6:03 pm.

Dr.Sherlock-Shangraw 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. Curran. 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.

A moment of silence was observed for Mary C. Mulligan, WPS teacher and for Janet Smith, WPS teacher for 25 years and for whom the WHS theater is named.

Reorganization of the Weymouth School Committee 2023-2024

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mr. Buccigross to nominate Mrs. Nardone as Chair. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Buccigross and seconded by Mrs. Nardone to nominate Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw as Vice Chair. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to nominate Mrs. Devine as Secretary. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson: Tracey Nardone
Vice Chairperson: Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw
Secretary: Mary-Ellen Devine

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 26-2024 Date: 12/26/23 Amount:$1,342,746.14
• Regular Meeting Minutes: 12/7/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 12/7/23
  Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion unanimously passed.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo shared that to be as transparent as possible, as the Johnson Early Childhood Center will be closed next year and that the program will be moving to Abigail Adams, that in September 2025 for the 2025-26 school year it will be opened as an elementary school. Discussions with stakeholders and the community will be forthcoming

The Superintendent spoke on issues of discipline. He renewed the Districts commitment to the ongoing work around student and staff safety and wellness. He referenced abiding by Chapter 71, S37H and S37H3/4 and dealing with inappropriate behaviors and consequences appropriately. Rights of parties involved will be abided and the responsibility to educate them will continue. He emphasized how seriously the district is taking this latest incident.

NEW BUSINESS

a. LIFTS (Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity) certification - Lindsey Jacobs
Tabled
b. Closing Study of Administration Building, 111 Middle Street Discussion
Mr. Meehan gave his recommendation to close the School Administration building at 111 Middle Street and turn the building over to the town to decide on what use it will serve.

Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Mayor Hedlund to accept the closing recommendation of the school administration building at 111 Middle Street. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policy JC-Attendance & JCA-Assignment of Students to Schools, Second reading
Dr.Sherlock-Shangraw encourages families and community members to read these policies which are posted on the website. Policies JC and JCA will be moved to a third reading.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the meetings of 12/14/23 and 1/4/24. Interior renovations are ongoing as well as demolition. Abatement is complete and plumbing roughs are starting to be worked on. Appreciation was expressed to the construction management team of GVW. The next meeting will be January 18, 2024.

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

The Chair asked the comments be made directly to the Chair and are respectful. Names of minors will be redacted from the recording.

Stephen Finn, 16 Tamarack
Spoke on the beating of his son that took place 12/21 which was recorded via cell phone and the treatment received by the nurses office as well as building administration. He also commented on the lack of discipline, accountability, and consequences of the parties involved. He inquired about what the committee will do about accountability and implored them to do better.

-Arian Getz and Avery, 22 Carroll St.
Shared that her daughter now goes to a private school as she was bullied. Avery voiced her feelings of being unsafe and being bullied when she was a Weymouth student. She asked the District to stop the bullying and violence. She asked for the ‘bad’ kids to be punished so ‘good’ students feel safe.

-Mike Murphy, WEA president
Spoke as an officer of the union for 15 years and shared that the district has not been proactive in staff safety. He expressed that the staff who’ve left is due to the lack of concern and empathy. He asked that safety be a priority.

-Sarah Devine, 504 Pleasant St
Shared that a group of Chapman parents are willing to volunteer to help with having extra adults in the building. She also expressed concern for phones in school. She urged for being proactive and solutions. Chair Nardone urged for parents to be involved and to work together with the schools.

-Laura Jocobs, 67 Madison St.
As a mom of a high schooler expressed blame of the committee and administration and asked for student safety

-Sally Sue Smith, Pleasant St.
Expressed her disgust and inquired what the committee will do to protect her kids.

-Suzanne Bivons, 29 Bengal Rd.
Commented on the size of the school and shared support for a parent volunteer program. She implored for accountability and change.

-Nicole Aberzizi, 16 Tamarack
As the mom of the son in the incident of 12/21 offered help to stop the bullying and violence and shared support for a volunteer program. She asked that the District do better.

-Elizabeth Foster Nolan, 54 House Rock Rd.
Expressed support for a forum; discussion for school committee and administration educating parents on the process of discipline procedures also that allows for open discussion.

-Ronald Mayberry, 47 Laurel St.
Spoke on the systemic problem of violence and bullying in schools and asked for change.

-Carrie Mcmahon, Grant St.
Shared that students are being bullied and are afraid to use the bathroom. She implored the District to provide the students with resources.

-Eileen Lovern, 40 Laurel St.
Spoke on the issues of discipline at Chapman. She commented on reforming the school healthcare policy after a student injury. She shared her support for a parent volunteer program.

-Carry Tucker, Elm St.
Expressed her frustration and implored the committee to do something. She previously volunteered last year for the parent group which the school never implemented.

-Neil Barheight, Bayview St.
Commented on the rules of public comment. He shared his frustration of the violence at Chapman and shared his support for student safety and asked the committee to do better

-Shelly Elizabeth Robbins, 549 Broad St.
Spoke of her daughter's bullying; that she doesn't go to the bathroom throughout the day and making a contract for parents and students to sign. She asked for students' safety.

-Todd Murray, 42 Seabury St.
Expressed concern for his son at Chapman. Asked for bathroom monitors, 7th and 8th graders to to be kept out of the 6th grade wing, and also more transparent detailed parent communication to families.

-Stacia Connoly, 9 Pine Ridge
Shared that Weymouth has a school ranking of 3. She expressed concern for her students when they get up to Chapman. She asked for students, staff and families to be supported.

-Alice Sloan-Academy Ave ESP, Hull
Spoke on her experience as an ESP and the lack of Unit D contract and expressed support for a forum with Chapman families to discuss discipline issues.

-Kate Reardon, Chapman Teacher, 45 Southern Ave
Spoke on accountability and having students sign a contract to help understand.

The Chair advised that she will make a difference or step down.

Mayor Hedlund, as a parent of a Chapman student shared that the School Resource officer is attending on his own time and pointed out that the SRO has to abide by the Ed Reform Bill. He shared his support for an open forum with families, WPD and the school department. He mentioned cell phones and social media societal issues. He commented that the WPD is dealing with the incident in the video.

-Katie Monteiro, 8 Chauncey St
Thanked the Mayor for attending and requested all members to attend every meeting.

Superintendent Wargo shared that there is an alternative pathways program called Adams Academy, held in a portion of the Abigail Adams for Chapman students.

There are 3 SRO’s in the district; 1 assigned to WHS, 1 assigned to MWC, and 1 for the primaries. In addition there is security Unit D personnel at WHS and MWC.

The Chair will formulate a plan for a forum and dialogue as soon as possible.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: January 18, 2024 - 6:00pm-executive session, 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:42pm on the motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Chair Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Policies JC and JCA

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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