March 26, 2026 Meeting

• Payment of Bills:
  • 38-2026 Date: 3/23/26 Amount: $1,358,172.06

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

• Approval of Minutes:
  • Budget Subcommittee 3/4/26
  • Regular Meeting & Public Hearings 3/12/26

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:

The Superintendent expressed thoughts and prayers to the family of Lee Lawson who will be greatly missed by the WPS community.

Appreciation and pride for Donnie Norton’s commitment and tireless work and that of the WHTC were shared as well as congratulations and goodluck were extended for competing in Boston at the state finals this evening.

CTE lottery was held today; randomizer selected 200 students from 326 applications.

The strategic plan is moving forward. The last meeting was on 3/11 and a survey will go out to staff, students (middle and high school) and then to families beginning the first week of April. The leadership team will collect data and creating the next strategic plan will begin.

Important dates

Last day of school-Friday June 26, 2026
Senior last day and prom-May 29, 2026
Graduation-June 6, 2026
Senior elementary walks-June 4, 2026
Evening High School Graduation-June 8, 2026

Ms. Graziano congratulated Superintendent Curtin for being recognized by MASC for both Women’s and Black History Month. MASC honored Ms. Curtin as a leader of yesterday, today, and tomorrow for being an influential administrator in education and mentoring.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Submission to the Office of the Mayor of the Proposed WPS FY27 Operating Budget of $94,877,714 & Supplemental Budget Scenarios (Action Requested)
Motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine to accept the submission to the Office of the Mayor the proposed Weymouth Public Schools FY27 Operating Budget of $94,877,714.

Discussion: Ms. Devine recused herself from the Maintenance cost center budget.

Mayor Molisse gave a statement summarized below:
He shared that he is proud of WPS and is Pro support of the town and the community. He sited examples of how the town has supported the schools beyond the operating budget:
-$1M is directed to school support from the town-ARPA, nurses, School Adjustment Counselors, and school safety
-$1.2M in annual debts from the school's projects w/modular classrooms-installed last year
-$19M in rising annual health insurance costs for retired and school employees
-$5M in annual retirement costs for employees
-Tens of millions invested in the schools through the capital improvements.
-The last 10 years the school budget has increased by 45%=$28M while enrollment decreased 1000 and 230 new position were added

He voiced that his administration has been upfront/transparent in warning departments and school committee that revenue growth is down and departments will need to develop a more traditional and leaner budget. He shared his belief that the committee has not made any efforts on efficiency or has changed since the budget sub meeting on January 21st. That it would be irresponsible to vote on a budget level that current revenue cannot support; without effort to ensure that over a $90M budget is being spent wisely and efficiently.

He shared that this administration is working hard to minimize department staff, make town government more efficient equaling savings & increase revenue:
-Reconstructed Building and Health Department and Municipal Finance to create efficiencies and maximize potential revenue
-Identified new sources of revenue
-Enforcing existing ordinances and laws, adjusting fees to standard municipal levels
-Negotiated with an employee healthcare opt-out program that will save as much as $1.8 million for the town.
-Implementing OpenGov online permitting, licensing, procurement system=increase revenue

Mayor Molisse will be voting no.

Ms. McClean shared her opinion in a statement. Main features:
-Level service is a disservice to students
-Teachers are underpaid, schools are understaffed and there is a lack of resources to meet student needs
-Believes there is a deferred maintenance log
-Families have to bear burden of cuts (ie STEAM) with increased user fees

She shared some challenges:
-Makeshift partition spaces in gyms and libraries for service providers
-Transitions for RISE students (Nash, MWC)
-Can’t proactively support students which leads to dysregulation
-Not enough staff for back up (Assistant Principals, School Adjustment Counselors busy elsewhere, BCBA at another school)
-Safety at Nash without a crossing guard
-Parent council having to pay for storage totes to protect food
-Modulars built without sinks or storage for jackets/backpacks
-Broken playground equipment and staff bathrooms without locks

Ms. Dickerman shared that level service is the least that the school committee should ask for. She expressed hope that there will be additions in the future to address previous and current shortfalls. She encouraged continued unified advocacy with DESE included. She inquired about internal audit and emphasized working together.

Roll call vote was taken. Motion carried (6-1, Mayor Molisse-NO)

Assistant Superintendent Smith shared next steps in the budget process:
Work will continue, 4/1 is the first Education Subcommittee meeting of the Town Council. The Superintendent and Mr. Smith will go before Town Council on 5/12/26. He shared that the books and his door are always open and reminded that this has been a difficult budget year, not just for Weymouth but across the state as well. Assistant Superintendent Smith expressed that this is a State conversation on how to bridge the gap.

NEW BUSINESS
a. Designation of Legislative Representative (Action Requested) - Chair Tracey Nardone
Motion by Ms. Devine to approve Danielle Graziano and Cindy Lyons as collaborators for the Voices of Legislation, Advocacy, and Communication Group. Seconded by Ms. Nardone. Discussion: Ms. Dickerman pointed out that language of the policy states that designation is done annually (may or may not be a member of the committee) and it is a singular person. Motion passed unanimously.

A request was made for traffic and safety at Ralph Talbot to be added as an agenda item for the next meeting. Assistant Superintendent Smith who’s worked closely with DOT, WPD, DPW, and School Maintenance and Transportation will share an update at the next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

-Rachel Clark
Expressed her disappointment of the Mayor's opposition to the proposed school budget voicing that the students deserve more.

Announcements:
-Athletics Subcommittee: April 2, 2026, at 4 p.m., Adams
-3rd annual SEPAC Resource Fair: April 8, 2026, 4-6 p.m., Chapman playground-25 organizations attending
-Town Wide Parent Council: April 14, 2026, at 7 p.m., WHS Humanities Center

Congratulations were expressed to the Honor Wall inductees, the WHS Music department who participated in the All-State Music Festival as well as to WHS Robotics winning the Nashoba Regional event.

Ms. McClean and Ms. Dickerman will host coffee from 3-4pm at the S. Weymouth Starbucks on 3/29/26.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, April 9, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

The Meeting adjourned at 6:33pm on the motion by Ms. Graziano and seconded by Ms. Devine. Motion passed unanimously.