March 27, 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
March 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m
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/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/82359504123?pwd=ojp0Obc1Z8x1PNTb5ReP1whlFcqVnB.1
I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:00 pm
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Confirmation of Warrant: 38-2025 Date: 3/17/25 Amount: $964,926.90
B. Approval of Minutes: Budget Subcommittee Meeting: 3/5/25
Regular Meeting/Public Hearings: 3/13/25
Budget Subcommittee Meeting: 3/19/25
C. Overnight Field Trip: May 1-3, 2025, WHS SkillsUSA students to SkillsUSA competition, Marlborough, MA
III. STUDENT SENATE REPORT
IV. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT - Superintendent Melanie Curtin
A. Celebrations & Updates
B. DESE’s Proposed Amendment to CTE Admissions
V. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Budget Subcommittee - Ms. Danielle Graziano
B. Collective Bargaining Subcommittee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
C. Policy Subcommittee - Mr. Dana Scott
D. Athletics Subcommittee - Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine & Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
E. Wellness Committee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
F. SEPAC - Ms. Danielle Graziano
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Acceptance of Gift: $106,388 to the Chapman Band Program from The Murray Family (Action Requested)
B. Submission to the Office of the Mayor of the Proposed WPS FY26 Operating Budget of $92,079,118 & Supplemental Needs List (Action Requested)
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Upcoming meetings:
- Budget Subcommittee Meeting: April 2, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
- Policy Subcommittee Meeting: April 8, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
- Townwide Parent Council Meeting: April 8, 2025, at 7 p.m., MJL Humanities Center, WHS
X. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING OF THE WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting
Meeting Recording
Meeting Minutes
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Mary Jo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom | 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
March 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Dana Scott
Members Absent: Mayor Hedlund, Danielle Graziano
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm
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: 38-2025 Date: 3/17/25 Amount: $964,926.90
- Approval of Minutes:
- Budget Subcommittee: 3/5/25
- Regular Meeting/Public Hearing: 3/13/25
- Budget Subcommittee: 3/19/25
- Overnight Field Trip: May 1-3, 2025, WHS SkillsUSA students to SkillsUSA competition, Marlborough, MA
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.
STUDENT SENATE REPORT:
Students Avery Galvin, Lisandra Morehouse, Benson Phan, and Tamia Alves-Cardodo presented an update (attached to these minutes) of happenings at WHS. Info included: Active Minds $5 t shirt fundraiser, Music in our schools, Asian Student Alliance, Morning Skillbuilding from 6:45-7:20am, Black Student Union visiting Seach, CTE Design and Auto, Chess Club, GSA & Courtyard Caretakers, Homework Hotspot, Human Rights Coalition, Wildcat Word, Model UN attending BC UN simulation, Robotics winning 2nd qualifying event, Step Team placed 2nd at StepFest, Unified Sports Spring Fling with Braintree and Hingham, Unified Champion Naming ceremony, WHTC competing Friday 3/28, Dance Team Champions, and Class Council News.
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to take out of order:
a. Acceptance of Gift: $106,388 to the Chapman Band Program from The Murray Family (Action Requested). Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Curtin welcomed and introduced Paul, Crystal, and Finn Murray, who presented an extraordinary gift donation of $106,388 in memory of their son, Jack. Jack was a cherished musician, artist, and athlete at Chapman who was a bright light who touched the lives of family, friends, teachers, and the community. His legacy will live on through this generous gift.
The donation will be expended through the end of the 2035/36 school year and benefit students with access and opportunity: purchase/repair of instruments, equipment and tshirts, camps and other activities for middle school band participants, and WHS scholarships for former middle school band students.
Principal Dolan, Assistant Principal Jones, and Band Director Doug Landry accompanied The Murray Family to the table and spoke of Jack’s many beautiful qualities and memories.
The committee expressed their deepest thanks to the amazing Murray Family and their appreciation for attending the meeting.
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the gift of $106,388 to the Chapman Band Program from the Murray Family. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Ms. Graziano extended her thanks as well. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:
The Superintendent extended apologies from the Mayor who could not attend tonight's meeting due to medical reasons.
Celebration kudos were shared for:
-The WHTC who will be participating in the finals at Back Bay Event Center performing the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
-151 students were inducted into the Scholar and Leadership wall this week
-Jeremy Burm and Nicole Doherty for wrapping up the interview process for a new Wessagusset Principal
DESE is proposing an amendment to the CTE admissions policy-a weighted admissions lottery.
If voted it will take effect spring for 2026. Link available on tonight's meeting agenda-family and student feedback is sought.
Mrs. Curran encouraged the community to review the link with proposed changes and leave feedback.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside of school committee days. Updates of other committees:
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the meeting of 3/19 which reviewed the FY26 proposed operating budget request in addition to the supplemental needs list. The next meeting is 4/2/25 and will discuss the fee cycle rate proposals as well as the Wildcat Sponsorship Program discussed at the Athletics Subcommittee. The Murray Gift will be ledgered in the Chapman revolving gift account.
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott
The next meeting will be April 8, 2025-6pm at Adams and will review legal notes regarding policy on public comment for 1st reading.
d. Athletics Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw & Mary-Ellen Devine
The meeting of March 24, 2025 discussed equity within the boosters and policies.
e. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time
f. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
No updates at this time
NEW BUSINESS
b. Submission to the Office of the Mayor of the Proposed WPS FY26 Operating Budget of $92,079,118 & Supplemental Needs List (Action Requested)
Assistant Superintendent Smith reminded that the operating budget proposal is for $92,079,118 (including level service projection, compliance positions, and high priority needs), a 5.27% increase from FY25.
Transportation has increased at 20%. Final revenue numbers are not known at this time. Recommendation is to vote for a balanced budget. If revenues are as low as 3% which is $1.9M, there could be a reduction of as many as 26 positions.
Ms. Devine expressed recognition of the transparent and collaborative process and thanked the Mayor and Chief of Staff for attending the budget subcommittee meeting and providing clarifying information on the town budget.
Mrs. Curran supports the proposed budget and expressed her opinion that public school education is not a priority on Beacon Hill.
Mr. Scott shared his support of the budget proposal and expressed his opinion that he is not in favor of raising athletic fees.
Fees will be discussed at the next budget subcommittee meeting and be voted upon in May, hopefully after revenues are known.
Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the Weymouth Public Schools FY26 operating budget of $92,079,118 and supplemental needs list. Motion carried unanimously.
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, 849 Pleasant St.
Brought attention to bill S400 regarding the Chapter 70 funding formula. Information available at Mass.gov.
Announcements:
Budget Subcommittee Meeting: April 2, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
Policy Subcommittee Meeting: April 8, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
Town Wide Parent Council Meeting: April 8, 2025, at 7 p.m., MJL Humanities Center, WHS
Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw and seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.