October 10, 2024 Meeting
Weymouth School Committee Meeting
MJL Humanities Center
1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
October 10, 2024
7:00 p.m
Chair: Tracey Nardone Vice Chair: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw Secretary: Mary-Ellen Devine
Kathy Curran Danielle Graziano Dana Scott Mayor Robert Hedlund
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:
Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 829 0583 5910 Passcode: 8AcDN3 One tap mobile +16465588656,,82905835910#,,,,*035057#
Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US Meeting ID: 829 0583 5910 Passcode: 035057
I. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 pm
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Confirmation of Warrant: 14-2025 Date: 9/30/24 Amount: $ 766,722.80
b. Approval of Minutes: Regular Minutes: 9/26/24
IV. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
Interim Superintendent Melanie Curtin
a. Celebrations
i. Author/Illustrator Peter Brown visits Chapman
ii. New Therapy Dog at Chapman
b. Weymouth Wraparound Center Coffee Hour Event, October 23, 2024, 10 am - 12 pm
c. Overview of October 8, 2024 PD
d. MCAS Message
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 - Dana Scott
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. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
i. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
j. Health and Safety JLMC - Dana Scott
VI. OLD BUSINESS
a. Johnson Building Feasibility Presentation - Interim Superintendent Melanie Curtin & Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
X. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING OF THE WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting
MEETING RECORDING
Meeting Minutes
Weymouth School Committee
MaryJo Livingstone Humanities Center & Zoom
September 26, 2024
MEETING MINUTES
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, Interim Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm
The Vice Chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.
Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed for Arthur Dickinson who passed away on September 22, 2024.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 14-2025 Date: 9/30/24 Amount: $766,722.80
- Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes: 9/26/24
Motion by Ms. Devine to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Graziano. Motion unanimously passed.
Report of the Superintendent:
Interim Superintendent Curtin gave an update:
-Celebrations
Thanks was expressed to Teacher Kate McCue-Day for arranging the visit to Chapman of Author/Illustrator Peter Brown of the Wild Robot Series
Congratulations were extended to Coach Mike Miller who was inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Hall of Fame
-New Therapy Dog at Chapman
Officer Sgambato has a new therapy dog, Stanley
-Weymouth Wrap Around Center coffee hour event, 10/23/24, 10am-12pm
Kelsie Bromberg will be hosting event for community to become familiar with the services of the center
-Overview of 10/8/24 PD
There were 45-60 offerings for the ½ day PD; from curriculum mapping, Book study, standards based grading, EL curriculum, library/tech time, etc.
-MCAS Message
The district is slightly above the state average. Reporting is a snapshot in time. Reports will be given during school improvement plans. Request was made for Alt MCAS scores as well.
More information on the 45 minute library time for elementary students was asked for.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside of school committee days. Updates of other committees:
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano Topics of the 10/9 meeting included: fleet audit, staffing update, substitute nursing rates, OSD estimated tuition increase of 3.42%, FY26 budget timeline-available on the website, and non-union employee benefits.
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw The Unit B contract will hopefully be voted upon at the 10/24/24 school committee meeting.
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott The November meeting is canceled as it conflicts with Town Wide Parent Council. The next scheduled meeting is in January. A meeting in December may be squeezed in.
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 The next meeting will be 10/22/24, 7pm at Tufts library
g. Facilities Master Plan Committee - Kathy Curran Interim Superintendent Curtin and Assistant Superintendent Smith will be presenting on the 10/8/24 meeting later in the agenda. The next meeting will be 10/29/24.
h. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine Topics covered at the 10/8/24 meeting: cultural arts grants, STEAM, tech time, playgrounds, and SEPAC. The next meeting will be 11/12/24.
i. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano The next meeting will be 10/15. The Federation for Children will present on Basic rights during transition (students aged 14). Presentation will be virtual and pre-registration required.
j. Health & Safety - Dana Scott The next meeting will be 10/23/24 at 4pm in the Adams conference room.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Johnson Building Feasibility Presentation
Interim Superintendent Curtin and Assistant Superintendent Smith presented (attached to these minutes) 2 options for the Johnson School building. Topics covered:
- Updating JECC; considerations, cost, budget impacts, redistricting, transportation
- Modular Classrooms; 2 classrooms each added at Hamilton, Nash, and Wessagusset (North, Central, South locations), considerations, remodeling stages & libraries, cost, and budget impact.
Summary of both options was given.
Thanks was expressed for the detailed presentation. Overcrowding and both options were discussed. Modular Scheduling/timeline was outlined: School Committee vote to which option at 10/24/24 meeting, then Town Council Capital Measure in November, Bids go out end of November/beginning of December, contract award mid/end of December, modulars placed for opening September 2025. All questions by the committee were addressed.
The Johnson Building Feasibility name will have to change if modulars are favorably voted.
NEW BUSINESS
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.
There was none.
Announcements:
-SEPAC-Next meeting 10/15, Pre-registration required
-Friends of Weymouth Library Book Sale, Pratt Library, 10/26/24, 10am-3pm
-Clothing Giveaway, WHS Maroon Cafeteria, 10/1/24 from 4-7pm and 11/2/24 9am-1pm
-Talbot School Parent Council Fundraiser, Barrel House Z, 10/13/24, 1-4pm
-Elementary Bake Sales
Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 7:43pm on the motion by Ms. Devine and seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.