May 1, 2025 Meeting
Weymouth School Committee Meeting
MJL Humanities Center | Weymouth High School | 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
May 1, 2025 | 7:00 p.m
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
Agenda - 2nd Revision
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting will be conducted in person and, as a courtesy, via remote means in accordance with applicable law, extending the provisions originally outlined in Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023. 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/85077389945
I. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence 7:00 pm
II. Consent Agenda
A. Confirmation of Warrants: 42-2025 Date: 4/14/25 Amount: $2,252,122.93
44-2025 Date: 4/28/25 Amount: $1,518,765.48
B. Approval of Minutes: Policy Subcommittee Meeting: 4/8/25
Meeting of the Whole: 4/10/25
Regular Meeting: 4/10/25
C. Overnight Field Trip: May 23-26, 2025, Chapman Step Team to World of Step Championships, Buffalo, NY
III. Report of Superintendent - Superintendent Melanie Curtin
A. Celebrations & Updates
B. Budget Update
C. Introduction of Tanna Jango, Wessagusset Principal
IV. Subcommittee Reports
A. Budget Sub-Committee - Ms. Danielle Graziano
B. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
C. Policy Sub-Committee - Mr. Dana Scott
D. Athletics Committee - Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine & Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
E. Wellness Committee - Dr. Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
F. SEPAC - Ms. Danielle Graziano
V. Old Business
A. Middle School Handbook: Second Reading - Ms. Jennifer Dolan
VI. New Business
A. Policy for First Reading: BEDH - Public Comments at School Committee Meetings
B. School Committee Meeting Dates 2025-2026 (Action Requested)
C. Superintendent's Goals & Focus Indicators
VII. Public Comment
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
VIII. Announcements
A. Upcoming meetings:
- Budget Subcommittee Meeting: May 7, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
- Townwide Parent Council Meeting: May 20, 2025, at 7 p.m., WHS
B. Memorial Garden Ceremony: May 29, 2025, at 3:45 p.m., Chapman Middle School
IX. Adjournment
Next Meeting of the Weymouth School Committee:
Thursday, May 15, 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
May 1, 2025 | 7:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano, Dana Scott
Members Absent: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
The meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.
Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moments of silence were observed for the passing of WPS educators Vi Valicenti, Brian Kreizinger, Mary Harrington
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Payment of Bills:
- Confirmation of Warrant: 42-2025 Date: 4/14/25 Amount: $2,252,122.93
- Confirmation of Warrant: 44-2025 Date: 4/28/25 Amount: $1,518,765.48
- Approval of Minutes:
- Policy Subcommittee: 4/8/25
- Meeting of the Whole: 4/10/25
- Regular Meeting: 4/10/25
- Overnight Field Trip:
- May 23-26, 2025, Chapman Step Team to World of Step Championships, Buffalo, NY
Motion by Mrs. Devine to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion unanimously passed.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:
Celebration kudos were shared for:
-Senior Culinary Arts student Olivia Valleau was honored at the 39th MA Association of Vocational Administrators. She will be attending Johnson & Wales in the fall.
-National Honor Society students inducted this evening
-Early Childhood Center Olympics and Unified Special Olympics-many thanks to all staff and volunteers and collaborators for amazing days
-Interim Principal Ashley Panetta will now be the permanent Principal at Hamilton
-Kristina Melanson and Liz Murray will be the K-8 curriculum coordinators; critical roles to ensure consistency
Tanna Jango was introduced as the new Wessagusset Principal bringing over 25 years of education experience including special education. Mrs. Jango expressed her gratitude and excitement for the appointment and opportunity. The Superintendent and committee congratulated and welcomed Mrs. Jango. It was mentioned that there will be busy times ahead with the modular classrooms.
Budget Update
The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent attended the 4/22/25 Town Council meeting where the Mayor presented the budget. The schools will be receiving a 3% increase over FY25; what the district was planning for. Superintendent Curtin expressed thanks and appreciation to the Mayor and Chief of Staff for the communication so that the district could be planful. It was noted that the budget is a moving target with new student move-ins, increasing needs of students and the increasing cost associated. FY27 is forecasted to be potentially worse with a projected downturn in revenues. Assurance was given for the least possible impact to students, Prek-age 22. Ms. Curtin and Mr. Smith will attend the Budget Management Town Council on 5/13 to present the school budget and answer questions received from Council already. Questions and answers will be shared with the committee next week. The next budget sub committee meeting will be 5/7/25 at Adams.
Kudo’s were expressed for the successful and amazing day at the Special Olympics event. Shout out to Faith Howland in transportation and to Ms. Tracey from South Shore Educational Collaborative.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside of school committee days. Updates of other committees:
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
Next meeting will be 5/7/25 at 6pm in the Adams library
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott
First reading of policy BEDH with edits will be later on the agenda
d. Athletics Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw & Mary-Ellen Devine
Next meeting will be in June, date TBA
e. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time
f. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
Next meeting will be 5/20/25 via Zoom with annual elections. SEPAC will present to school committee on 6/5/25.
Middle School Handbook: Second Reading - Ms. Jennifer Dolan
Principal Dolan shared proposed changes. Discussion was had regarding food and drink delivery on p.56 and that the word NO should be added before ‘Food and Drink Delivery for Students (ex: Doordash)’. It was confirmed that tardy is arriving after 8:20 am and that outside beverages will not be allowed during sign in.
Motion by Mrs. Curran to combine the 2nd and third reading of the middle school handbook with the changes discussed. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Curran and seconded by Mrs. Devine to approve the middle school handbook for the 2025-26 school year with edits discussed tonight. Motion passed unanimously.
Policy for First Reading: BEDH - Public Comments at School Committee Meetings
Mr. Scott presented proposed edits (attached to these minutes ) confirming that legal had been consulted. #3 (constitutional right) and #2 (specific comment) were discussed. Mr. Scott expressed thanks to the policy committee, the superintendent and community members for the collaboration and shared his opinion that this is a fair policy honoring the public's right.
Policy draft BEDH will be moved to a second reading; an opportunity to rework #2 before the next reading. It is available on the website linked on the agenda.
School Committee Meeting Dates 2025-2026 (Action Requested)
Proposed meeting dates were reviewed. Suggestion was made for WECC and primary school improvement plans be over 3 meeting nights not 2. Adding an additional meeting on December 4, 2025 was recommended and consensus reached.
Motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Mrs. Curran to accept the school committee presentation schedule with the added date of 12/4/25. Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Goals & Focus Indicators
Superintendent Curtin reviewed her performance goals (attached to these minutes) which focus on student learning, professional practice, district improvement, communication, professional development and curriculum (audit of civics). The committee will view evidence of these goals for evaluation.
Goals using a DESE rubric were talked over at a previous meeting of the whole and are tied to focus indicators (attached to these minutes). Discussion of changing ‘balanced’ to ‘sustainable’ budget was had.
Goals will be voted upon at the next school committee meeting.
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.
Suggested repurposing window A/C units from the Johnson school to other schools in the district and confi rmed that elementary school start times for next year will remain the same. She encouraged the community to attend the Weymouth Annual Town Meeting on 5/19/25.
District administration organizational charts will be posted on the website by the end of this year and school building organizational charts will be posted by the start of school next year.
Announcements:
Budget Subcommittee Meeting: May 7, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams Library
Town Wide Parent Council Meeting: May 20, 2025, at 7 p.m., WHS
Memorial Garden Ceremony: May 29, 2025, at 345 p.m., Chapman Middle School
Scholarship Committee presentation of scholarships-May 27 at Tufts Library
Beetlejuice play at Chapman, tonight through Saturday
Incoming 6th grade night at Chapman-5/5/25 at 6pm
SEPAC-5/20/25 via zoom officer election
Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm on the motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.