January 23, 2025 Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
Chair: Ms. Tracey Nardone Vice Chair: Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw Secretary: Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine
Ms. Kathy Curran Ms. Danielle Graziano Mr. Dana Scott Mayor Robert Hedlund
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
MJL Humanities Center | Weymouth High School | 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
January 23, 2025 | 7:00 p.m
Revised Agenda
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) 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/82359504123?pwd=ojp0Obc1Z8x1PNTb5ReP1whlFcqVnB.1
I. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:00 pm
II. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Confirmation of Warrant: 30-2025 Date: 1/21/25 Amount: $892,029.78
b. Approval of Minutes: Executive Session Minutes: 1/6/25
Regular Meeting Minutes: 1/9/25
c. Overnight Field Trip: February 7-9, 2025, WHS Model UN to Boston University Model UN Conference, Boston, MA
III. STUDENT SENATE REPORT
IV. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT - Superintendent Melanie Curtin
a. FY26 Budget Timeline
V. SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT-OUT
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Ms. Danielle Graziano
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Mr. Dana Scott
d. Wellness Committee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
e. Memorial Committee - Ms. Kathy Curran
f. Weymouth Scholarship Committee - Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine
g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Ms. Kathy Curran
h. SEPAC - Ms. Danielle Graziano
i. Health and Safety JLMC - Mr. Dana Scott
j. Athletics Sub-Committee - Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine & Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
VI. OLD BUSINESS
a. Competency Determination Update - Superintendent Melanie Curtin
VII. NEW BUSINESS
a. Weymouth High School Program of Studies: First Reading - Ms. Karen Monahan & Ms. Malissa Northup
b. Policy Manual Revisions First Reading: Contact Information and Address Updates (Sections AC-R, ACAB-R, JBA, JBAA, KF-R, ACE-R) (Action Requested)
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Athletics Sub-Committee Meeting: January 27, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
b. Budget Sub-Committee Meeting: February 5, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
X. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING OF THE WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting
Meeting Recording
Meeting Minutes
Weymouth School Committee
MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom | 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
January 9, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano; Dana Scott
Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, 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.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Payment of Bills:
- Confirmation of Warrant: 30-2025 Date: 1/25/25 Amount: $892,029.78
- Approval of Minutes:
- Executive Session Minutes: 1/6/25
- Regular Meeting Minutes: 1/9/25
- Overnight Field Trip: February 7-9, 2025, WHS Model UN to Boston University Model UN Conference, Boston, MA
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.
Student Senate:
Students Manton Du, Josephine Campo, Thomas Pham, and Timothy Mycroft gave an overview (attached) of activities at WHS. Updates on clubs included: Active Minds fundraiser, Jazz band and art night, Asian Student Alliance, Best Buddies, Black Student Union, CTE ‘doll house’ for the fire department, Chess Club, DECA, New club Grace & Peace, Homework Hotspot, Model UN, Robotics, Step Team, and WHTC spring show-The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Class Council news was also shared.
Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Curtin shared that these are challenging times to build a budget and expressed thanks to Assistant Superintendent Smith and Ms. Bosse for their hard work and efforts in balancing the increased needs of students and services with a sound budget. Thanks and appreciation were additionally extended to the Mayor and Chief of Staff for their collaboration and to families for participating in budget meetings.
Assistant Superintendent Smith gave an overview of the FY26 budget timeline (attached). January-March are the busiest times of the 10 month budget process. The preliminary budget will be available February 13, 2025. The public hearing of the proposed budget will be March 13, 2025 for school committee vote on March 27, 2025 and will be submitted to the Mayor’s Office on March 28, 2025.
Request was made for the school department to present the proposed budget before the town meeting. The committee urged the community to advocate to local and state representatives and senators.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside of school committee days. Updates of other committees:
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
The meetings of 1/15 and 1/22/2025 were recorded and are available on the website. The next meeting is 2/5/25 where IT, Maintenance, Primary and WECC will present proposed budgets.
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott
Met on 1/14/25 and discussed policies regarding public comment, acceptable use, AI, and sexual harassment. More information to come in the Policy report later. The next meeting is 2/11/25 at 6pm.
d. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
Met 1/16/25 and chipped away at revising the wellness policy to bring before policy sub in the spring/summer.
e. Memorial Committee - Kathy Curran
No updates at this time.
f. Weymouth Scholarship Committee - Mary-Ellen Devine
Applications are available on line for all Weymouth residents. Deadline March 15, 2025. https://www.weymouth.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif8386/f/uploads/scholarship_application-2025-online_form.pdf
g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran
No updates at this time.
h. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
Seach began the 2nd session of unified arts which included STEAM.
1/29/25-SEPAC parents support coffee at 9:45am at WHS Wildcat Cafe.
i. Health & Safety - Dana Scott
Met 1/22/25 and discussed safety care training, system alarms, and incident/injury reports. Thanks was expressed to Dennis Jones and Officer Pompeo for their efforts in safety. Next meeting is 2/26/25.
j. Athletics Sub-Committee
First meeting 1/27/25 at 6pm at Adams. All are welcome.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Competency Determination Update-Superintendent Curtin
Superintendent Curtin confirmed that to achieve competency for the class of 2025, they must pass ELA, Biology, Algebra, and Geometry to graduate. She advised that the WHS requirements are more rigorous than state.
Competency determination will be placed as an action item on the next agenda for a stand alone vote.
NEW BUSINESS
a. WHS-Program of Studies-Ms. Karen Monahan, Department Heads: Dr. Gosselin, Mr. Faria Ms. Loporto
Major changes to the program of studies were presented (attached). Principal Monahan gave an overview of MCAS/Capstone deletions, freshman electives (to help improve MassCorp Score-last year=72.7%), and personal finance required class. Deletions, additions were reviewed as well as fine art elective and credits. A safety readiness training (CPR, AED, mental health, and emergency situations) will be added under PE. Requirements for Model UN elective for certification will be added. Ms. Loporto reviewed the English changes. English IV can be taken for just a semester or the full year; it includes literature and skill building. Mr. Faria presented changes regarding History. A mandoarty civics project will be embedded in students elective. Dr. Gosselin gave an overview of removing matter and energy and adding systems science. Minor changes are denoted in green.
Thanks was expressed to the panel for presenting and expressed support for the personal finance requirement.
All questions by the committee were addressed.
The program of studies will be moved to a second reading with an opportunity for public comment.
b. Policy Manual Revisions First Reading: Contact Information and Address Updates-Sections AC-R ACAB-R, JBA, JBAA, KF-R, ACE-R (Action Requested)
Mr. Scott shared that revisions include housekeeping edits: a global edit of removing names of people who hold the position and replacing them with just the name of the position. The old address will need to be updated as well. The policy manual will be kept and maintained in house (previously by MASC). Above policies are concerning non discrimination, sexual harassment, student harassment, and school property.
Edits will be moved to a second reading with an opportunity for public comment.
Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH and kept to 3 minutes; 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.
-Ashley Dickerman, 846 Pleasant St.
Inquired why Town Wide Parent Council was not included on the agenda. It was clarified that it will be included under announcements. She summarized the last meeting topics; LPAC, school councils, and fundraising. The next meeting will be 2/11/25, 7pm in the Humanities Center after the Policy Sub Committee.
She expressed concern for the budget and encouraged all community members to attend public meetings.
Announcements:
Athletics Sub Committee Meeting-January 27, 2025, 6pm, Adams Library
Budget Sub Committee Meetings-February 5, 2025, Adams Library; Budget Hearing-3/13/25-Humanities Center
SEPAC-Coffee at 9:45am on 1/29/25-pre registration required
Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 8:54pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.