November 16, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee Workshop

Council Chambers-Town Hall & Zoom
November 16, 2023
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 12/7/23)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran, Steven Buccigross; Danielle Graziano

Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund

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

The meeting began at 5:30 pm.

Mrs. Curran moved to enter into executive session;
Pursuant to M.G. L c 30A s 21(a) (2) To conduct contract negotiations: Superintendent Contract
Pursuant to M.G. L c 30A s 21(a) (3) To conduct strategy session in preparation for contract negotiations with union personnel and Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: WEA Level III 6:15 pm Grievances
Motion seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was called to order at 7:07pm
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: 18 -2024 Date: 10/30/23 Amount:$1,029,368.81
  Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 20-2024 Date: 11/13/23 Amount $676,339.60
• Regular Meeting Minutes: 10/19/23
• Executive Session Minutes: 10/19/23

Field Trip Confirmation: Grades 10-12, SkillsUSA Fall State Leadership Conference, Best Western,
Marlboro, MA- November 19-20, 2023
Field Trip Approval: Grades 11-12, DECA District 1 Conference - Seacrest Resort/Hotel, Falmouth, MA- December 7-8, 2023

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion unanimously passed.

Student Senate
Postponed

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo reported on:
Increase in enrollments-there are currently 2514 students in grades K-5, schools are at capacity. A Master Facilities Planning group is looking/discussing issues to present a plan.

CTE advisory meeting was last week, 2 students spoke on their success in Metal Fab and Auto Tech. Thanks was expressed to CTE Director DePina, CTE staff and students.

Public School Monitoring (PSM) will review Tiered Focus Monitoring practices during the week of April 29, 2023 for compliance. This evaluation happens every 3 years.

Full day professional development was November 8. Thanks was expressed to Assistant Superintendent Curtin. The Superintendent sat with 9th grade English teachers who were discussing MCAS data and learning gaps.

Abigail Adams construction in preparation of the JECC move (September 2024) is underway. Mr. Meehan is spearheading the Master Facilities Plan and gathering qualitative and quantitative data. Retiring the space at 111 Middle Street was mentioned. More information and discussion as well as Policy FCB (retirement of a facility) will be forthcoming.

WHS Post Season Sports highlights were shared:
Girls Cross country-runner up in division 1A
Football team-finished as the 12th seed
Boys soccer- Final four Division 1
Girls soccer- round of 16
Swim Team-attended regionals and states

The Dreamcatcher (scholarship for WHS athletics) road race will be on Thanksgiving day. The Athletic Hall of Fame will be on November 25, 2023. Congratulations was shared for Assistant Superintendent Curtin as a member inductee.

Ms. Sullivan was invited to the table and gave an update on the Adams Academy which began November 6, 2023.. 9 students (5 are first year freshman and 4 are 2nd year freshman)are in attendance. More students will be added in the 3rd quarter. Students are also involved in community service.

NEW BUSINESS

a. PreK-Elementary School Improvement Plan
Principal Perez summarized the Johnson ECC school improvement plan (attached to these minutes)

Principals Costello, Burm, and Fratolillo presented school improvement plans (attached to these minutes) emphasizing Student Belonging, Student Achievement, and Family & Community Engagement on behalf of the 8 elementary schools. Data gathered from Panorama, Wit & Wisdom curriculum implementation, and inclusive activities, and attendance were highlighted

b. Budget Sub-Committee Report: 11/15/23 (action requested)
Mr. Buccigross summarized the meeting of 11/15/23. Topics included:
Gift Report, Textile recycling, entitlement grants, audits & reports, Before & After School and Teacher Evaluation contracts, Sub rates, and a Multi Function Student Activity Bus.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to accept the report of the budget subcommittee. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

c. MASC Resolutions Report
Ms. Nardone gave a resolution report from the MASC conference where she attended 2 out of 3 days.

Resolution 1: Full, Stable funding for METCO - Failed
Resolution 2: Regarding Investigations and Recommendations for Transportation Bidding Procedures - Passed
Resolution 3: Regional Transportation - Tabled
Resolution 4: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Failed and then Tabled
Resolution 5: MA School Building Authority - Failed with a proposed amendment
Resolution 6: School Bus Stop Arm Surveillance Act and Enforcement and Penalties - Tabled
Resolution 7: Related to MCAS - Tabled
Resolution 8: Safe Storage of Firearms - Tabled

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policies for Second Reading
    Policy - ADDA - Background Checks
    Policy - ADDA - R - CORI Policy
    Policy - IJOC - First Reading - School volunteers
    Policy - IJOA - First Reading - Field trip chaperones
    Policy - DJ - Purchasing Policy - DJA - Purchasing Authority
    Policy - DJE - Procurement Requirements
    Policy - JICFB - Bullying Prevention

The Chair opened for public comment on the above policies. There was none.

Motion made by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Ms. Palazzo to combine the second and third reading of Policies: ADDA - Background Checks, ADDA - R - CORI Policy, IJOC- School volunteers, IJOA- Field trip chaperones, DJ - Purchasing, DJA - Purchasing Authority, DJE - Procurement Requirements , JICFB - Bullying Prevention. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Curran to accept Policies: ADDA, ADDA-R, IJCO, IJOA, DJ, DJA, DJE, JICFB. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - Assistant Superintendent Smith Assistant Superintendent Smith
shared that permitting has been obtained and interior renovation began on Nov 9, 2023 . The general contracting firm is GVW. Greg Labella is the project manager and Mr. Meehan and Manning are the school contacts. Work hours, ordering lead time. and signage was discussed. Demo and abatement has begun this week. Starting November 30, meetings will happen weekly. Walk through will take place after thanksgiving. Play structure, green space will be looked at. Mr. Meehan will work with Principal Perez on the JECC move.

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

Congratulations was expressed to Mary-Ellen Devine on being elected to the School Committee. The Chair also recognized sitting member Danielle Graziano who was also elected for next term and received the amount of votes needed to continue to serve on the committee throughout 2023.

-Kate Timberlake, 131 Mutton Lane
Shared her special experience with ESP Mrs. T and her impact on her son Henry. She shared her support for fair compensation for the ESPs dedication.

-Katie Monteiro, 8 Chauncy read a statement on behalf of Cynthia Lang, and John Hanula, 300 Neck St.
Expressed their thanks for ESPs and shared their experience with their 1st grade daughters ESP, in life skills program at Talbot. Their dedication and care was commented on and support for a fair contract was given.

-Carrie Cantrino, 45 Holmes Ave on behalf of a grateful parent
Shared the positive experiences with ESPs and their children and the hopes that ESPs wouldn’t have to have more than 1 job. Support was also expressed for a well compensated contract.

-Kate Reardon, 45 Southern Ave
Spoke on the essential rolls of ESPs as well as inflation and shared support for a living wage and ended with saying ‘poverty pay is not okay.’

-Carolyn Donohue, 16 Pierce Court
As a Unit D and negotiating team member shared the essential role and duties that ESPs perform which are vital to the district as referenced by the Superintendent in his email of thanks on ESP appreciation day. She expressed a request for an overhauled wage scale and her support for a fair contract with a living wage.

- William Kelly, 23 High Street Place
Shared his experience of implementing curriculum and working with students as an ESP Murphy. He also works the after school Champions program at Murphy. He expressed support for a living wage.

-Suzanne Ferrari, 33 Puritan Road
As a 5th grade Teacher at Hamilton shared the crucial role that ESPs perform and commented on ESPs being pulled to cover absences. She shared her support for a fair contract with a living wage.

Announcements:
-Budget Sub-Committee-December 6, 2023, 6:00pm
- Abigail Adams Library -WHTC-Newsies, Friday-Sunday

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:33pm on the motion of Ms. Sherlock-Shangraw, seconded by Ms. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

Respectfully Submitted,
Carrie Palazzo,
Secretary

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