May 9, 2024 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
May 9, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 5/23/24)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine (via Zoom), Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano; Dana Scott

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
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: 44-2024 Date: 4/29/24 Amount: $1,675,993.41
• Regular Meeting Minutes: 4/25/24
• Executive Session Minutes: 4/25/24
• Budget Sub-Committee: 5/1/24

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion unanimously passed.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo reported on upcoming events:

• Senior Prom is on May 10 at the Quincy Marriott-promenade begins at 5pm at WHS
• Heritage Park dedication is on May 11, 2024-WeymouthEvening High School graduation is on at 1pm May 13, 2024
• International Night is May 14, at 5pm
• Johnson Art show is May16at 5:30pm
• Shout out to Officer Jim Flanagan who was voted School Resource Officer of the Year by the Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officer Association
• National Honor Society induction was last week, thanks and appreciation expressed for the students, Ms. Wilbur, and Mr. Cole.

In recognition of her retirement, the Superintendent invited Michele Prendergast, WHS Evening High School Director to the table. Thanks and appreciation by the School Committee and Superintendent were expressed for Ms. Prendergast’s 30 years of dedicated service to the students and community of Weymouth. Flowers and gifts were presented. Ms. Prendergast thanked the committee, Superintendent and her family.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

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

a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
The meeting of May1wassummarized.Topics included: CTE and immigration grant, ESSER data collection and food service audit, Multi function school activity bus, vending machines, Champions preschool enrollment & FY25 budget planning and proposed fees, Mayor's budget.

b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
Unit B, administrators is currently being negotiated. There have been 4 meetings thsu far.

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

d. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
Committee mandated by state law. Committee made up of personnel from Wrap-a-Round Service Center, Physical Education, DPH, Food Pantry and School Committee focusing on service to the youth of Weymouth. Next meeting on June 6 will discuss wellness policy.

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

f. WeymouthScholarship Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Scholarships will be awarded soon. Guidance Counselors may be contacted for more information

g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
Ms. Curran, Assistant Superintendent Smith, Mr. Meehan, and 2 Principals met this afternoon. Discussion of modulars at Hamilton, potentially adding a third, Boilers at Johnson to be fixed by opening of September 2025. Potential future interior renovations at Pingree, Wessagusset, and Talbot as enrollments are expected to grow. Possible Statement of Interest with MSBA

h. Abigail Adams Early Education Facilities Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Next meeting May14

i. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
No updates at this time.

j. SEPAC- Danielle Graziano
Next meeting May 21, 2024. Annual elections will be held and will also roll out a parent-parent mentor program.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Discuss Johnson Building Use-Superintendent Wargo
A community forum was held to discuss the process and how option 3 was landed May 8, 2024 upon. The options were dual, innovation, or traditional elementary school. Good conversation and feedback was had and received. A more detailed presentation with specifics of budget, staffing, enrollment, and cost will be shared at the May 23 meeting. Request was made for the slide show to be posted on the website.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson- Assistant Superintendent Smith
The OAC met this afternoon. Finishings of painting and tiling are underway. The next meeting of the Abigail Adams Early Education Facilities committee will be 5:30pm on May 14-budget, funding, exterior renovations, naming, maintenance and parking will be discussed

c. District Safety & Security Update
There are no updates at this time however educational, student and staff safety & wellness is constantly being monitored.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Capstone Project Discussion
Mrs. Curran shared her support to remove the language of capstone being a graduation requirement. Out of South Shore districts-Braintree, Hingham, Quincy, Hanover, Abington, Rockland-Holbrook is the only other school that has Capstone. She shared her opinion that the 1 credit class could be used for an elective, wellness or civics class and that the project is stressful and students are filled with anxiety (post graduation plans-college, trades, military) during Junior and Senior year. Mental health concerns as well as cost and budget is also a factor during these fiscal times. She suggested that the capstone be a fair and not a graduation requirement and requested that the committee reopen the WHS program of studies (as it’s already been voted upon) and language of capstone being a graduation requirement be removed.

More information on the capstone process was requested. Comments in support of project based learning as well as equity issues of capstone were made. Accreditation requirements, possible unintended consequences, rubrics, and expanded community service/internships were talked over.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to reopen approval of the Program of Studies approved February 1, 2024. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to remove the Capstone Project as a graduation requirement for WeymouthHighStudents effective May 9, 2024. Seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Discussion: support for more information and feedback from parents, students and teachers before a vote takes place was suggested. Motion opposed.

This item will be placed on the May 23 agenda as an action item.

b. FY25 Fees, Sub Rates, ESY (Action Requested)
Rates have not changed since the last budget sub committee meeting and are effective July 1, 2024. Verification of RBT rate of $22.75 was made.

Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Mr. Scott to approve the FY25 fees, substitute and extended school year changes/increases. Motion passed unanimously.

Comment was made that both the substitute and ESY rates are competitive and hope expressed that Weymouth employees work the summer programs.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes.
There was none.

Announcements:

• May 29, 2024 - Career Fair at WHS

Thanks and appreciation was expressed to Ron Zaccardi for his hard work in setting up and breaking down for school committee meetings.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 23, 2024- 7:00p.m.

The Meeting adjourned at 7:47pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary-Ellen Devine
Secretary

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• WPS Fee Schedule

• ESY Rates

• WPS Substitute Rates