August 15, 2024 Meetings
Weymouth School Committee
Meeting of the Whole
MJL Humanities Center
1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
August 15, 2024
6:00 pm
Agenda
I. Call to Order 6:00 pm
II. Meeting of the Whole
A. Elementary School Report Card JLMC Report - WEA/Administration
III. Adjournment
Next Meeting of the Weymouth School Committee:
Thursday, August 15, 2024 - Regular School Committee Meeting
Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Regular School Committee Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
MJL Humanities Center
1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
August 15, 2024
Regular Meeting - 7:00 p.m
Agenda (Revised)
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting will be conducted in person and, as a courtesy, via remote means in accordance with applicable law. Remote means will include the WETC8 live feed (https://weymouth.tv/video-on-demand/) and the Zoom link below. Please note that while an option for remote attendance is being provided as a courtesy, the meeting/hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless required by law.
To join the meeting via Zoom by computer or internet-enabled phone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88209805406?pwd=WnhnYW1jakJ0S0ZlVWt4ajlzRG5ZUT09
Meeting ID: 882 0980 5406 Passcode: Wsit91 One tap mobile +16469313860,,88209805406#,,,,*492753#
Dial by your location +1 646 931 3860 Meeting ID: 882 0980 5406 Passcode: 492753
I. Call to Order 7:00 pm
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Consent Agenda
a. Confirmation of Warrant: 52-2024 Date: 6/24/24 Amount: $2,466,466.87
Confirmation of Warrant: 53-2024 Date: 6/27/24 Amount: $ 245,558.99
Confirmation of Warrant: 54-2024 Date: 6/28/24 Amount: $ 102,991.26
Confirmation of Warrant: 04-2025 Date: 7/22/24 Amount: $1,356,401.14
Confirmation of Warrant: 06-2025 Date: 8/5/24 Amount: $ 433, 108.85
b. Approval of Minutes: Regular Minutes: 6/20/24 Executive Session: 6/20/24
IV. Report of Superintendent (Related Materials: Weymouth Public Schools Strategic Plan 2024-25 (PDF))
V. School Committee Sub-Committee Report-Out
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Kathy Curran
d. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
e. Memorial Committee - Kathy Curran
f. Weymouth Scholarship Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
h. Abigail Adams Early Education Facilities Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
i. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
j. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
k. Health and Safety JLMC - Dana Scott
VII. Old Business
a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson - B. Smith
b. District Safety & Security Update - M. Curtin/B. Smith
VIII. New Business
a. Chapman Cell Phone Procedures - Principal Dolan
b. Job description: Supervisor, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program - Weymouth Public Schools (Action Requested)
IX. Public Comment
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
X. Announcements
XI. Adjournment
Next Meeting of the Weymouth School Committee:
Thursday, September 12, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting
Meeting Recording
Meeting Minutes
Weymouth School Committee
MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
August 15, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine (virtually), Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano; Dana Scott
Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Interim Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:01pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.
Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed for the passing of WHS Science Teacher Dan Eggers who passed away suddenly on August 11, 2024. Moments of silence were also observed for the passing of retired educators Paul King, Kay McGuire, and Riley Gingras.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 52-2024 Date: 6/24/24 Amount: $2,466,466.87
Confirmation of Warrant: 53-2024 Date: 6/27/24 Amount: $ 245,558.99
Confirmation of Warrant: 54-2024 Date: 6/28/24 Amount: $ 102,991.26
Confirmation of Warrant: 04-2025 Date: 7/22/24 Amount: $1,356,401.14
Confirmation of Warrant: 06-2025 Date: 8/5/24 Amount: $ 433, 108.85 -
Regular Meeting Minutes: 6/20/24
-
Executive Session Minutes: 6/20/24
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion unanimously passed.
Report of the Superintendent:
Interim Superintendent Curtin expressed condolences to the family and school family of Dan Eggers. He will be greatly missed.
The Johnson school furniture and classroom move began the week of 8/5. The Johnson school will open in fall of 2025 for K and grade 1. 40 families have already been identified and will be notified. The school will be full with grades K-5 in 2029. It was reiterated that due to overcrowding some families will be placed at Johnson. Funding for staff will be identified.
Tom Sheehan has been named the new director of WEHS.
First day of school:
All staff-September 3, PD and District wide gathering at 10am at Chapman
All staff-September 4, PD
Students in grades 1-5 and 6 & 9-½ day-September 5
All students except PreK-full day-September 6
PreK-September 9
An update (attached to these minutes) of the strategic plan and district vision was given. District working teams, timeline, and actual steps were reviewed. A primary focus area will be respect and how people are treated. The Organizational Chart was reviewed. New Principals are at Hamilton (Ashley Panetta) and Nash (Francesca McDevitt). It will be posted on the website.
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 at Abigail Adams on 8/21/24
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
Unit B contract was settled on 8/13/24. Thanks was expressed to administrators, and WEA members, Wilkins, Tuplin, Conte, and Monteiro for great collaboration. Mr. Scott will be the 3rd member of committee
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Kathy Curran
A meeting date will be put on the books to discuss policy BEDH and phones
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
No updates at this time.
g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
Chief of Staff Langil will lead a team of administrators, educators for the Johsnon building.
h. Abigail Adams Early Education Facilities Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Meeting was on the 13th, safety, play structure, and finishing touches were discussed. Next meeting is 8/27/24 at 5:30
i. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
Meetings will resume in September with Ashley Dickerman as president.
j. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
Meetup at Chapman from 2-4 on September 3. New students can tour areas from 2-3.
j. Health & Safety - Dana Scott
Next meeting will be on 9/25 at 4pm
OLD BUSINESS
a. Update and status of Abigail Adams and Johnson-Assistant Superintendent Smith
Meeting on Tuesday discussed interior projects, final painting and floor work. HVAC and fire panel testing, as well as outdoor play area surface and green space. There will be 16 classrooms, OT, PT, Speech, and library space. CFCE program will remain at Adams. There was an operational meeting on 8/8 where technology, food service, maintenance and transportation was discussed. Vans will be moved over to Chapman. Next meeting will be August 27.
b. District Safety & Security Update
Dennis Jones, Assistant Principal at Chapman will be overseeing district safety and security. He is working with WPD to ensure that they have access to WPS cameras.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Chapman Cell Phone Procedures-Principal Dolan
Principal Dolan, Assistant Principal Jones, and Lindsey Jacobs presented (flier attached to these minutes) on Chapman being a cell free zone for digital and social wellness; the advantages, positive reinforcements, and expectations were reviewed. Work originally began last year with Dr. Jill Walsh from BU. A digital wellness committee met over the summer. Staff are mindful of cell use as well. A family night for information, expectation, support, and feedback was held on 8/14/24. Positive support from parents/guardians was expressed. A google document will keep track of infractions. It was reiterated that there are phones in each room and that families will be able to get in touch with their students if need be. All questions by the committee were addressed.
b. Job description: Supervisor, Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program-Weymouth Public Schools (Action Requested)
This is a new position which is completely grant funded through EEC. The program is housed at Adams. Duties were reviewed. Some offerings are open to private preschool students to attend-such as story hour.
Motion by Mrs. Curran to approve the job description for the Supervisor, Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Program in Weymouth Public Schools. Seconded By Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes. It was explained that this period is an opportunity for community members to comment on items on the agenda, not a conversation or back and forth with the members.
-Victoria Krepesky, 58 Laurel St.
Expressed disagreement with moving JECC to Adams which also houses the Adams Pathway program and concern for student safety. Another member conveyed concern for preschoolers having to go through active shooter training as well as disagreement for the programs to be in the same building together.
-Danielle, Steven, and Sophie Ames, 121 Pine St. with Maria Kasu and Frank DeAngelis
Had previously requested for this to be an agenda item. Communicated their dissatisfaction with the High School Chorus Program. They proposed a restructure of the band/chorus program and proper education for choral students. They shared that neighboring towns have 7-12 choral programs. Sophomore student Sophie expressed her hopes of making it to Broadway as well as her dissatisfaction with the high school program compared to the middle school program and advised that she will not continue with the choral program. The committee advised that this sounds to be a staffing issue and urged the family to work with Town Wide Parent Council and administration.
Announcements:
SEPAC get together at Chapman Playground, 9/3/24 from 2-4
Next School Committee Meeting: Regular Meeting: Thursday, September 12, 2024 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 8:14pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.