May 23, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
May 23, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 6/13/24)

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

Members Absent: Danielle Graziano; Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 6:03 p.m.

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw moved to enter into executive session;
Pursuant to M.G. L c 30A s 21(a) (2):

• To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel: Interim Superintendent Contract
• To conduct contract negotiations with nonunion personnel: Renewal of Assistant Superintendents contracts (Melanie Curtin and Brian Smith) 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: 46-2024 Date: 5/13/24 Amount: $844,168.09
• RegularMeetingMinutes: 5/9/24
• Meeting of the Whole Minutes: 5/16/24

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

Superintendent Wargo tendered his resignation and is taking time to transition into his new role. Assistant Superintendent Curtin has been acting Superintendent. Thanks andappreciation was expressed to Mr. Wargo for his service to WPS.

Appointment for Interim Superintendent of Schools (Action Requested):
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to appoint Melanie Curtin as Interim Superintendent of WeymouthPublic Schools. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

The Committee expressed their support of Ms. Curtin being in this role. Mr. Scott commented on her commitment andloyalty to the students and staff of WPS for continued stability and wished her the best of luck. Dr. Sherlock read remarks on member Graziano’s behalf which echoed Mr. Scott’s.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the contract for Interim Superintendent Melanie Curtin. Motion passed unanimously.

Report of the Superintendent:
Interim Superintendent Curtin shared her gratitude and honor for being appointed and expressed excitement for teaming with Assistant Superintendent Smith and collaborating with the school committee, town officials, staff, students and families.

To address the loss of Covid ESSER funding, cuts were performed earlier in the year at the central and secondary level with a second round of cuts in addition to nonrenewals and shifts that occurred last week at central administration and primary level, where STEAM specialist positions were cut. Ms. Curtin conveyed the sadness, impact, and difficulty of this situation.

With High School Staff on the senior cruise, Capstone will be placed on the June 13th agenda.

Chapman and their lip dub was featured on Channel 7. Video will be posted for families. Thanks to Principal Dolan and Assistant Principal Amoroso for their hard work and positive school changes.

Thoughts and prayers go out to families who’ve lost loved ones in service to our country on Memorial Day, Monday, 5/27.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

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

a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
Next meeting on June 5, 2024 at 6 p.m. at Abigail Adams. Open to the public to attend. Jun 3, 2024 Assistant Superintendent Smith and Interim Superintendent Curtin will present the school budget to town council budget management.

b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
Update will be given after ratification vote later in the agenda.

c. Policy Sub-Committee - Kathy Curran
No updates at this time

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
Scholarship night is Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Tufts Library at 6:30pm in room 138.

g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
No updates at this time.

h. Abigail Adams Early Education Facilities Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Meetings have resumed and a tour of the work was given. Next meeting is 5:30pm at Adams.

i. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
Jun 18, 2024 at Lisa Dembowski is stepping down as president and Ashley Dickerman will be stepping in. Meetings will resume in the fall.

j. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
At the 5/21 meeting, board members Kim Ferriera and Christina O’Hara were voted as co-chairs, and Melinda Caldwell as secretary.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Discuss Johnson Building Use-Interim Superintendent Curtin, Assistant Superintendent Smith

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith and Interim Superintendent Curtin gave an update (attached to these minutes) on the Johnson building used as a 9th elementary school and Adams building which will house the early education center. A collaborative meeting was held today with the mayor, asset management and town officials. Investment timelines, modular spaces, interior and exterior work at Adams, phased in educational planning, feasibility, budgeting, staffing, and facilities for Johnson were reviewed.

A subcommittee for Johnson will be formed including, administration, town administrators, educators, and school committee members.

Request to vote the repurpose of Johnson at the next meeting was expressed.

All questions by the committee were addressed.

c. District Safety & Security Update
Report from the WEA/WPSHealth&Safety JLMC
Tina Conte and Assistant Superintendent Smith presented the annual report. Topics covered: monthly meetings (increased from quarterly), increase in de-escalation training and safety care training, as well as mindfulness opportunities during PD, and upcoming review of cell phone policy.

Mr. Scott and alternate Mrs. Devine will be added to the health and safety committee. Attendance tracking during de-escalation offerings was requested. Next meeting will be at 4pm on May 28 at Adams.

NEW BUSINESS

a. 2023-2026 Unit D contract ratification (Action Requested)
Members of Unit D include:

• ESP’s-Library, Program Support, Inclusion, One to One, Instructional Support, Clerical, Security CNA’s
• Applied Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians
• Childcare specialists and lead teachers at WHS ECEC
• Non confidential full and school year administrative assistants.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the 2023-2026 WEA Unit D collective bargaining agreement. Motion passed unanimously.

There were long hours of cooperation and collaboration until an agreement was reached.

WEAPresident Murphy, Ms. Cederholm, and Ms. Monteiro came to the table to express their pride, thanks, joy and excitement for the contract and fair wages. Mr. Murphy designated Ms. Cederholm as signatory for the collective bargaining contract.

b. Pathways & Adams Academy Update
Interim Superintendent Curtin presented an update (attached to the minutes) on the Alternative Pathways program, Chard Street, and Adams Academy. Adams Academy will be adding a second cohort for the 2024-25 school year. Chard Street will be home to the special education post graduate program.

c. Renewal of Assistant Superintendent contracts (Action Requested)

• Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations
• Melanie Curtin, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Service & Support

Ms. Curtin will need a living contract as back up to the interim Superintendent contract. Due to minor language changes, motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to table renewal of Assistant Superintendent contracts until the June 13 meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed.

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

-Mike Murphy, WEA president
Inquired about rehiring or reposting for STEAM or specialist positions. Assistant Superintendent Smith advised that the breakage and analysis of the approved budget versus the actual is constantly under review and will continue.

-Ashley Dickerman
Requested to keep the K-5 STEAM Program going and if teachers were cut as well as the program. It was shared that shifts were made and not all teachers were cut. She inquired if there is a place parents can go to see which positions were cut so that they may talk to their children. Review of cuts (12) made was given and unfortunately staff will not be added back for FY25. She expressed that parent councils are eager to help increase budgets.

-Gus Perez
Expressed his congratulations to Interim Superintendent Curtin. Commented on the processing of the budget and encouraged community members to get involved and to attend budget sub meetings; planning for FY26 begins in December. He reiterated that the school department relies heavily on state and local aid.

-Kristina Keefe, 82 Seaver
Expressed her disappointment that the cuts made were for positions directly involved with students and not at the central administration level as well as the disservice to Weymouth students by cutting the STEAM program and requested the program be reinstated.

-Alison Nogueira, 8 McKinley
Congratulated Interim Superintendent Curtin. She expressed her support for the STEAM program and commented on the disservice to Weymouth students by cutting the program.

-Lisa Wiklund, 81 Aster Circle Shared her support of the STEAM program and encouraged community involvement in the budget. She urged the community to reach out to local and state officials.

-Ashley Dickerman
Confirmed that the Community Family Center for Engagement is continuing.

-Cailtin McInnis (zoom)
Congratulated Interim Superintendent Curtin. Shared her disappointment of the Mayors absence as well as for the cuts and lack of transparency. Request made to know exactly which positions were cut and what shifts were made. Comment was made that Adams should’ve been a K-1 building.

-Guz Perez
Reminded that a request was previously made at a budget sub meeting to concretely explain the strategic thinking behind the reduction in force; present a rationale not just FTEs.

Announcements:
Memorial Day parade on Monday, May27at10am.
June 5, 2024 Budget Sub, 6:00pm at Adams

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 13, 2024- 7:00 p.m.

The Meeting adjourned at 8:46pm 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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• Johnson Building Use Presentation

• Pathways & Adams Academy Update