September 26, 2024 Meeting
Weymouth School Committee Meeting
MJL Humanities Center
1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth
September 26, 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: 827 1594 3281 Passcode: bmrAa3 One tap mobile +13052241968,,82715943281#,,,,*566930#
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I. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 pm
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Confirmation of Warrant: 12-2024 Date: 9/16/24 Amount: $601,525.78
b. Approval of Minutes: Executive Session: 9/12/24; Regular Minutes: 9/12/24
IV. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
a. Celebrations
b. Jazz Ensemble Update
c. Back to School Safety Update (with Dennis Jones)
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 - Melanie Curtin & Brian Smith
VII. NEW BUSINESS
a. MASC/MASS Joint Conference - Tracey Nardone
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 10, 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: Tracey Nardone, Chair; Mary-Ellen Devine, Secretary; Kathy Curran; Danielle Graziano; Dana Scott
Members Absent: Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw, Vice Chair; Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Interim Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm
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 Ralph Talbot Life Skills 2nd grade student Philippe St. Cyr and Elaine DeCosta, a former Weymouth educator at the McCulloch School.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:
- Payment of Bills: Confirmation of Warrant: 12-2024 Date: 9/16/25 Amount: $601,525.78
- Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes: 9/12/24, Executive Session Minutes: 9/12/24
Motion by Ms. Devine to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion unanimously passed.
Report of the Superintendent:
Interim Superintendent Curtin
-Celebrations
WHS received a banner in recognition of Special Olympics and Unified Sports for commitment to an inclusive environment. Freshman Student Kyler Pimentel was recognized for their work with Project 351 in honoring lives lost on 9/11. Murphy and Academy music teacher Mr. Brennan sang the national anthem at the Red Sox game. Shout out to the Chapman step team who collected over 7,000 products for their hygiene campaign.
-Jazz Ensemble Update
At WHS Jazz ensemble is not currently being run, however Jazz lab is (meets for a full period, every other day)
-Back to School Safety (Dennis Jones)
Mr. Jones outlined the work being done with Sgt. Pompeo and the WPD for safe schools. Staff are doing online ALICE training, Elementary Principals are educating students on exit awareness and building leaders are doing safety presentations at Chapman and the High School. There is training in different languages. Improved communication between the schools and WPD is an action item for this year.
An update on the no cell phone policy at Chapman was given. With school being back for 16 days, with 1200 students there have been 70 infractions (phone, watch, ear buds visible), only a handful have been repeat offenders. It has been a collective effort between students and staff and has been successful. Cell phones are to be put away in backpacks before entering the school. Principal Dolan will present data at the next meeting.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside the school committee days. Updates of other committee:
a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano Topics of the 9/18 meeting included grants, financial assistance form (available on the website), outstanding questions were answered, FY26 budget planning, the Brockton Public Schools financial report, and public comment. Minutes available on the website.
b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw No updates at this time
c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott Topic covered at the 9/17 meeting was policy BEDH. Good conversation was shared. Accessing meeting minutes can be found through the school committee tab on the website. The next meeting is 11/12/24 which could be rescheduled as town wide parent council is the same night.
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 The committee met 9/24, addressing the overcrowding issue. Plans to bond for 6 modular classrooms to help with cost of staffing and help with transportation. Potential internal work at Pingree may be done. More information to come. Next meeting, 10/8/24.
h. Townwide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine The next meeting is 10/8/24 @ 7pm in Humanities Center
i. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano The next meeting will be 10/15 where the Federation for Children will present on Basic rights during transition (students aged 14). Presentation will be virtual and pre registration required. The first unified basketball game was held today.
j. Health & Safety - Dana Scott Topics covered at the 9/25 meeting included, safety and de-escalation training for new employees, not just being offered at the beginning of the year, as well as excessive heat issues at Academy. The next meeting will be 10/23/24 at 4pm in the Adams conference room.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Johnson Building Feasibility
It was clarified that special education spaces are working and running as expected. Also clarified that siblings would not be split up between schools. More information and a full presentation will be at the 10/8 meeting regarding the Johnson bldg. and modular process and possible capital measures.
NEW BUSINESS
a. MASC/MASS Joint Conference
The Chair reminded that 1 delegate from the committee must attend the conference in November. Suggestion was made for members to read the resolutions.
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:
Next School Committee Meeting: Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 7:00pm
The Meeting adjourned at 7:27pm on the motion by Ms. Devine and seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.