March 12, 2026 Meeting & Public Hearings

• Payment of Bills:
  • 34-2026 Date: 2/23/26 Amount: $926,654.22
  • 36-2026 Date: 3/9/26 Amount: $772,948.12

Motion by Ms. Graziano to approve below minutes. Seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.

• Approval of Minutes:
  • Budget Subcommittee 2/4/26
  • Policy Subcommittee 2/5/26
  • Regular Meeting 2/12/26

Motion by Ms. Graziano to approve below field trip. Seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.

• Field Trips:
  • Overnight WHS Model UN to Dartmouth College Model UN Conference, Hanover, NH, (accommodations in VT), April 10-12, 2026

STUDENT COUNCIL PRESENTATION

Students Josephine Campo, Ron Shae, Manton Du, and Ashley presented updates (attached to these minutes) on student council news, including Weymouth High Harmonies, Jazz & Marching Band, CTE workshop recognized students, Clubs; Asian Student Alliance, Best Buddies, Cancer Kids First, Human Rights Coalition, Dungeons & Dragons, K-Pop, Model UN, National Honor Society, Rotary, Robotics, and Black Student Union. WHTC will be performing ‘She Kills Monsters’ at the semi finals and Battle of the Classes was held on 2/13/26.

The committee thanked the students for their presentation.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:

Superintendent Curtin extended thanks and appreciation to the volunteers who read during ‘Reading Across America’ week as well as to Curriculum Coordinators, Kristina Melanson and Liz Murry; tutoring 136 1st and 2nd graders of which 91% have average/above average growth already.

OLD BUSINESS

a. 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (action requested) - Superintendent Melanie Curtin
Juneteenth can be observed on Saturday when it falls on a Saturday; 6/18/27 will be a school day.

Motion by Ms. Graziano to accept the 2026-27 academic calendar. Seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Policy Updates-Ms. Mary-Ellen Devine
-Policy ADF-WPS Wellness Program-2nd reading
-Policy GBEBC-Gift to and Solicitations by Staff-2nd reading
-Policy JJE-Student Fundraising Activities-2nd reading
-Policy KBE-Relations with Parent/Booster Organizations

1st reading was held at the 2/12/26 meeting. Clarification of policy JJE for employees participating vs. organizing was made.

Public comment was opened. There was none.
Motion by Ms. Devine and seconded by Ms. Graziano to combine the second and third reading of policies, ADF-WPS Wellness Program, GBEBC-Gift to and Solicitations by Staff, JJE-Student Fundraising Activities, KBE-Relations with Parent/Booster Organizations. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Ms. Devine to approve policies ADF, GBEBC, JJE, and KBE. Seconded by Ms. Graziano. Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS
a. Budget Subcommittee Report-Ms. Danielle Graziano
Topics discussed at the 3/4/26 meeting were grants/donations/scholarships, procurement and contract updates, fee structure and potential increases, early retirement incentive, and FY27.

b. Collective Bargaining Subcommittee-Ms. Tracey Nardone
Last met on 2/26 with WEA discussions and presentation of documents related to Units D and E, in addition to the next meeting dates. Meeting adjourned at 6:23pm.

c. Acceptance of Gift Report (action requested)-Assistant Superintendent Smith
Total donations received from 7/1/25-12/31/25; Monetary-$71,798.17 and In-Kind-$6,211.87.

Motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine to accept the gift report. Motion passed unanimously.

d. MOA: Early Retirement Incentive (action requested)-Superintendent Curtin
Presented at the March 4 budget subcommittee meeting. Incentive is not contingent upon budget approval.

Motion by Ms. Graziano to approve the MOA: Early Retirement Incentive. Seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Devine left the table at 6:25pm and returned at 6:26pm.

e. Presentation of the Proposed WPS FY27 Budget-Assistant Superintendent Smith
Assistant Superintendent Smith and Superintendent Curtin gave an overview of the FY27 process and presented the FY27 budget (attached to these minutes).

Fiscal cliff, rising costs, limited revenue growth, and lagging state aid are putting pressure on local budgets and inflation is negatively impacting budgetary shortfalls. Reductions are being seen across the state. WPS approach to the budget is planning, empathy and engagement which leads to communication. Process is critical; budget, schedule, timeline, collaboration, community partnership, and timely info. The budget is developed balancing needs; the best education experience, in the safest environment possible, in a feasible and sustainable way with limited resources and responsible planning/spending.

Budget calendars/timelines, budget development, communication (thanks expressed to Kelly Powers), budgeting funds, grants, capital planning, Chapter 70 aid, net school spending, state aid and assessments, budgetary challenges and drivers, as well as budget scenarios, history and forecast were summarized. The proposed FY27 budget is $94,877,714 (level service). It was shared that a budget less than level service would set the district backwards. Care and concern of staff, students, and livelihoods was expressed.

The school FY27 budget will be presented to Town Council Budget Management on May 12.

The committee expressed their support for supporting and putting forth the level service FY27 budget (nothing less) proposal. Thanks were expressed to the community for their emails, meeting attendance, and advocacy as well as to the dedicated WPS educators and staff. Councilwomen Sherlock-Shangraw and Palazzo were thanked for attending this meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING-FY27 OPERATING BUDGET
Chair Nardone called to order the Public Hearing of the FY27 Operating Budget.

Motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine to open public comment of the proposed FY27 budget. Motion passed unanimously.

-Councilwoman Sherlock-Shangraw, 102 Commercial St.
Shared her opinion as a resident that every efficiency has been identified for the school budget and further cuts would be detrimental. She shared that state aid has shortchanged WPS as well as 351 other municipalities. She suggested speaking up with a collective voice rather than pointing fingers, advocating at the local and federal level as well as shaping a Town Council Education subcommittee. She encouraged a unified effort of pointing up and thanked the school administration and committee for all of the hard work done around this tough budget year.

-Rachel Clark, co-President of Pingree Parent Council
Expressed disappointment that the Mayor was not present at tonight's meeting and shared her support for submitting a level service budget, that the students deserve at least level service.

-Lauren Divencenzo, co-President Parent Council
Also shared her support for submitting a level service budget and shared that Pingree Parent Council paid $50.38 for storage bins to protect food in the classroom over break from rodents.

-Ben Crosby, 28 Norma Ave
Expressed his appreciation and thanks for the transparency of the process and recognized the dedicated WPS educators. He expressed his opinion that level service is not enough for the students of Weymouth.

-Lauren Spellman, 51 Norma Ave
As a high school teacher who could be affected by cuts expressed her opinion that cuts should not be student facing positions.

-Mike Murphy, WEA President
Thanked school administration and committee for the transparency and for submitting a level service budget as well as the dedicated WPS educators. He expressed disappointment in the Governor's budget regarding education and urged the community to contact Senator O’Connor, Representative Murphy, Speaker Mariano, and the Governor.

-Joan Cederholm, 14 Clapp Ave
Expressed thanks to the committee for submitting a level service budget however shared her opinion that it’s not enough and raised concern for students needs; she beseeched the town to do better.

-Chrissy Saunders, 22 Aspen Hill Ave.
Shared her opinion that level service is the responsible choice and that the strength of the community is its schools.

-Erica Woodbury, 36 Fairlawn Rd.
Shared her opinion that it’s critical to have level service.

-Ruth Emmit, 236 Randolph St.
Shared that increase in school spending is correlated with high local real estate tax revenue.

-Elizabeth Foster Nolan,
Suggested an advocacy campaign for the community to reach out to local and federal senators and representatives.

-Alison Nogera, McKinley Rd.
Expressed her hope that the Mayor would’ve attended this evening’s meeting and thanked the dedicated WPS educators and administration. She shared that the budget has already suffered and nothing short of level service should be submitted.

-Gus Perez, 16 Hewett Rd.
Thanked the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent for the transparent process as well as Councilwomen Sherlock-Shangraw and Palazzo for attending and expressed hope that the Mayor will watch the replay of tonight's meeting. He echoed the previous comments and emphasized that the kids of Weymouth deserve more not less and implored the community to reach out to local and federal representatives.

Motion by Ms. Graziano to close public hearing for FY27 operating budget. Seconded by Ms.Devine. Motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING-SCHOOL CHOICE
Chair Nardone called to order the Public Hearing for School Choice 2026-27.

Required by the MA Education Reform Act and MGL C76, S12B, the program allows non resident students to attend schools on a space available basis.

Motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine to open public comment for School Choice for school year 2026-27. Motion passed unanimously.
-There was none.

Motion by Ms. Graziano to close public hearing for school choice. Seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion passed unanimously

Motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine for WPS not to participate in school choice for the school year 2026-27. Discussion: Ms. Dickerman shared her opinion that she understands the space constraint however admitting non residents may be a financial gain. Motion carried; 5 yes, 1 present (Dickerman)

PUBLIC COMMENT
In accordance with Policy BEDH.
There was none.

Announcements:

-SEPAC: March 24, 2026, virtually at 7pm
-If members wish to be part of additional collective bargaining they can notify the Chair.
-Request for Letters of Interest to be sent to Chair for “Voice of Legistration Advocacy and Communication” will be placed as an action item on the next agenda.
-Ms. Lyons disclosed that she does not personally profit from the WPS Paragon Carousel Fundraiser.
-WHTC will host dress rehearsal of ‘She Kills Monsters’ on 3/13 with semi final performance at METG on Saturday @ 4:45..

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

The Meeting adjourned at 8:26pm on the motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.