June 20, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
June 20, 2024
MEETING MINUTES

 

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: Melanie Curtin, Interim Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent

The meeting began at 6:01pm

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw moved to enter into Executive Session;
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: One SEIU Local 888 Level III Grievance
b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to all collective bargaining negotiations and litigation: WEA Unit A Member Unfair Labor Practice Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Roll call vote. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:22pm
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:

• RegularMeetingMinutes: 6/13/24
• ExecutiveSession Minutes: 5/23/24

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

Report of the Superintendent:
Interim Superintendent Curtin shared that the last day of school was today and for Hamilton will be 6/21. Both are school half days.

Congratulations was expressed to the Rugby team on their third championship and to the WeymouthHighSchool Theatre Company for awards for choreography and lead actor for ‘Newsies’.

Principal Jeremy Burm will be the new Director of HR.
Francesca McDevitt has accepted the principal position at the Nash School. Deepest thanks and appreciation was expressed for Assistant Superintendent Smith and Alyssa Bosse’s hard work through the extraordinary situations this year for a balanced budget.

Mr. Bransfield will be organizing a search committee for the Hamilton principal position.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

Members attend other meetings outside school committee days. Updates of other committees:

a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
Meetings will resume in the fall

b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time.

c. Policy Sub-Committee - Kathy Curran
Cell phone policy will be looked at in the fall.

d. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time

e. Memorial Committee - Kathy Curran
No updates at this time.

f. Weymouth Scholarship Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Thanks and appreciation was expressed for the $134K awarded in scholarships

g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
The master plan is complete. A new committee will be formed for the JECC building

h. Weymouth Early Education Facilities Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Parent Councils raised over $14K for playground equipment. The next meeting will be 7/23/24

i. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
Meetings will resume in the fall. 1 member from each of the primary and Weymouth Early Ed School are needed.

j. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
There will be a meetup at the Chapman playground on 6/26 from 2-4pm

k. Health & Safety JLMC - Dana Scott
No updates at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson

Talks are underway with the town to formulate a committee. There will be an internal meeting in July to discuss logistics of the move.

b. District Safety & Security Update

Interim Superintendent Curtin expressed her gratitude to Jen Pompeo and SRO’s Officer Flanagan, Hammacher, and SGambato.

NEW BUSINESS

a. SEPAC End of Year Report - K. Ferreira and C. O’Hara

An overview (attached to these minutes) of the SEPAC program and events that occurred during the year was given. SEPAC was present at all 8 open houses, partnered in planning special olympics, did unified arts, had the first annual resource fair, and hosted numerous presentations Aspire Health Alliance and Easter Seals to name a few. Summer social meet ups will be June 26, July 23, and August 20, 2pm at Chapman playground.

Congratulations and thanks was expressed to Joni Cederholm on her retirement and years of services to JECC, as well as to Kristie Edeleman and Meg Verlicco.

The committee shared their thanks and appreciation for the great presentation, to the SEPAC members for their time, strength of membership, and resources.

Request was made to meet Kristie, the Assistant Director of Student Services.

b. Athletic Update - R. O’Leary

ADO’Leary presented an update (attached to these minutes) of athletic participation, accomplishments, events hosted, user fees, obligations, gate receipts, expenses, equipment & uniform cycle, as well as middle school athletics. Girls JV cheer and softball was added. A JV girls hockey team will be added for SY2024-25.

Extensive discussion was had regarding the obligation amount and collecting fees. Opinion was expressed that students should not be able to play unless their user fee is paid or arrangements made. Other feelings of inclusivity and belonging for students to play without paying and the district being careful not to income shame was shared. Breakdown and age of user fees, participation by sport and gender as well as revolving account balance was requested. Inquiry wasmadeonhowotherdistricts handle user fees.

It was expressed that rental fees were not included in the January presentation. Ice time owed and 200hours of icetime were paid for this season.

Even though lunch is free, families are encouraged to fill out the free and reduced paperwork as there are other areas where discounts are provided.

It was confirmed that there are enough coaches for each sport and that fall and winter coaching positions are filled.

Disappointment was expressed that middle school unified sports was not included in the presentation.

c. Proposed changes to 2024-2025 WHS Handbook and 2024-2025 Program of Studies - M. Curtin (Action Requested)

Interim Superintendent Curtin highlighted the changes of removing capstone graduation requirements from the program of studies and handbook. Capstone will be an elective 1 credit class.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the proposed changes to the 2024-2025 WHS handbook and program of studies. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.

d. Approval of Fiscal Year 2025 School Department budget in the amount of $87,472,240 approved by Town Council June 17, 2024 (Action Requested)

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the fiscal year 2025 school department revised budget in the amount of $87,472.240. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Discussion: Mrs. Curran expressed her support if possible to fund and reinstate STEAM positions. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment

The Chair explained that public comment will last for 15 minutes, be in accordance with Policy BEDH and individual comments kept to 3 minutes made through the Chair. A running clock will be used.

-Lordus, 1 Moreland
Commented that students can’t participate in a sport until a current physical is received and that athletes should pay in full before participating.

-Maeve Monaghan, 1196 Pleasant St.
Shared her opinion that the Chapman curriculum did not challenge or prepare her for her WHS advanced classes and AP schedule and that her leveled MTSS class was of benefit. She expressed worry for her 6th grade sisters' high school preparation.

-Gus Perez, 16 Hewett
Shared his dissatisfaction with the new public comment format. He expressed his support for eliminating athletic user fees and inquired if the Girls JV hockey coach was included in the budget.

-Lori Hanson, 20 Thompson
Suggested that a decision be made over the summer to start fresh in the fall to level off the athletic fees’. She remarked that students stay in school to play sports. That participation fee and collection should be even across the board.

-Joesephine Burke, 265 Broad
Commented that CTE and art students are unable to participate in class unless their supplies are paid in full and shared her feelings that it should be the same for athletics, that athletic students should be just as accountable as academic students.

Announcements:

Meetup at the Chapman playground on 6/26 from 2-4pm

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, August 15, 2024 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 9:04pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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• Athletics Presentation

• SEPAC Presentation