November 28, 2023 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee Workshop

November 28, 2023
Superintendent & School Committee Goals
Meeting Minutes
(approved 12/7/23)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo (5:32pm), Secretary, Kathy Curran, Danielle Graziano, Mary-Ellen Devine

Members Absent: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Steven Buccigross, Robert Hedlund; Mayor

Also Present: Superintendent Wargo

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.

The Superintendent reviewed the 2022/23 goals.

Goal #1 for the strategic plan has been completed. The ‘three E’s’ have evolved into student learning, student belonging, and family and community partnerships. Implementation started this September (2023).

Goal #2 Master Facilities Plan is ongoing. Mr. Meehan is spearheading the collection of qualitative and quantitative data; physical space in buildings, enrollments, MSBA info, square footage/child, HVAC, etc. Once all data is gathered, determinations can start to be made. Long term plans for JECC and Abigail Academy at Abigail Adams were discussed. Possibility of the JECC building being used as an additional elementary school was mentioned. Earlier elementary start time was suggested also. Transportation is a concern as over 3000 students take the bus to/from school.

A member remarked for the district not to be fearful of innovation or change and that they want the best experience for students.

Goal #3 Student Achievement will continue to be a goal of achievement at or above state levels. Some areas are still in need of work. He reassured that teaching is to the standards and that MCAS data is more of a barometer than assessment.

Superintendent Wargo shared that he will add an additional goal; communication. He would like to spend more time with families, have more 1 on 1 communication both with families and staff. The Superintendent has started visiting places of worship and plans to visit cultural markets to increase opportunities for conversation. The new website work is continuing and will hopefully be live late winter/early spring. Weekly email and video messaging will continue.

The committee supported the goals and would like attendance to be added as an area to address under student achievement as well as graduation rates.

A suggestion was made to modify the evaluation procedural steps by pushing out 6 months and starting with the Superintendents’ self assessment in late spring/summer and final evaluation performed in the fall of the following school year. Contractual language for nonrenewal is by July 1; previous years summative evaluation is given in June. A suggestion was made to also perform the evaluation every 2 years.

It was reiterated that the school committee goals align with the Superintendent's goals.

The Superintendent suggested continuing with the process this year and potentially amending the timeline for the 2024-25 school year.

School Committee goals were reviewed and discussed. Goals 1, 2, 3, and 5 have been completed. #4; Master Facilities Plan will move to #1. Goals 6, 7, 8, 9 will remain. Conversation of adding a goal regarding Special Education and meaningful engagement for inclusion, communication and belonging. Addressing compliance and out of district enrollment was mentioned as well. The Chair will present a specific and measurable goal.

Timeline was talked over again. School Committee goal approval will move from December to January and the formative assessment will move to March.

The meeting adjourned at 6:37pm on the motion made by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote. Passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carrie Palazzo,
Secretary

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