October 23, 2025 Meeting

• Payment of Bills:
  • Warrant 14-2026 Date: 10/6/25 Amount: $1,429,076.97
  • Warrant 16-2026 Date: 10/25/25 Amount: $1,147,060,.61
• Approval of Minutes:
  • Regular Meeting 10/9/25
• WHS Model UN Students to UConn Model UN Conference, Storrs, CT, Nov. 7-9, 2025
• Chapman 8th Grade World Language Students to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 14-16, 2026

Motion by Ms. Graziano to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Devine. Motion unanimously passed.

STUDENT COUNCIL PRESENTATION
Students Josephine Campo, Avery Galvin, Thomas Pham, and Mia Kelly presented an update (attached to these minutes) on student council, CTE shops, after school clubs, marching and jazz band, national honor society, robotics, homecoming, WHTC Mean Girls at MWC on 11/21-23, spirit week, and the new no use of cell phones in classrooms.

The Committee thanked the students for their presentation and feedback. It was noted that help will be needed for the robotics team if they make it to nationals.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Curtin welcomed Officer Williams as the new SRO for the elementary schools replacing Officer Flanagan. Thanks were expressed to Sgt. Pompeo and the SROs and the collaboration and relationships with the community and students.

Congratulations were expressed to the Advanced Placement Teachers and Students for their outstanding scores. 92 students were named AP Scholars (average score 3), 41 students achieved AP Scholar (average 3.25), 47 students earned AP Scholar with distinction (average 3.5), 12 students received AP Seminar certificate, and 24 students received AP Capstone diploma.

It was shared that the Mayor had a scheduling conflict and Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw is away on vacation.

Modular classroom feedback has been received and the committee and administration are aware and doing their best to resolve issues. Paving will start soon at Nash, then Hamilton with Wessagusset following.

This will be committee member Dana Scott's last meeting as his appointment will be ending; his seat will be filled by the candidate with the highest vote after the 11/4 election. Gifts were presented and thanks for Mr. Scott’s time, dedication, student advocacy, and his work on the policy and safety committee were expressed.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Members attend other meetings outside of school committee days. Updates of other committees:

a. Budget Sub-Committee - Danielle Graziano
The next meeting is on Nov 12, 2025.

b. Collective Bargaining Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
The subcommittee will be meeting next week.

c. Policy Sub-Committee - Dana Scott
Policy JF, school admissions; re registrations of 6th and 9th graders 2nd reading will be presented later in the agenda.

d. Athletics Sub-Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw & Mary-Ellen Devine
Next meeting is 11/13/25 at 7pm at Abigail Adams

e. Wellness Committee - Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw
No updates at this time

f. SEPAC - Danielle Graziano
At the meeting on October 21, Dr. Verlicco presented on graduation requirements, competency and post graduate transitions. The next meeting is 11/18/25 and the topic will be supporting medically complex needs. Trunk or Treat is this weekend-Buzz from Toy Story will be walking through. There will be a sensory space at Pingree on 10/24/25.

g. Town Wide Parent Council - Mary-Ellen Devine
The meeting of 10/14 discussed fundraising and grants. The next meeting is 11/18.

OLD BUSINESS

a. WHS Program of Studies & Competency Determination Update (action requested)-Mrs. Northup
It was reiterated that the WHS graduation requirements are more rigorous than DESE competency determination requirements (attached to these minutes). It was confirmed that Civics can be taken in any grade and includes a civics project, students graduating in 2026 will have to meet this prerequisite.

The Department of Ed is still discussing future requirements of capstone or portfolios.

All questions by the committee were addressed; new standardized testing, documentation and transcript review, and at level performance were discussed.

Motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Mr. Scott to accept the WHS Program of Studies & Competency Determination Update as presented. Discussion: the handbook will be presented again in the spring for the 2026-27 school year with 3 readings. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Policy JF - School Admissions: Second Reading - Mr. Dana Scott (Introducing mandatory residency validation for school families during the school years prior to 6th and 9th grade)
The Chair opened for public comment on policy JF.

There was none.

Motion by Mrs. Graziano and seconded by Mrs. Devine to combine the 2nd and 3rd reading of Policy JF, school admissions. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Mrs. Graziano to accept Policy JF, school admissions. Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

a. School Improvement Plans: Pingree Elementary School, Ralph Talbot Elementary School, Nash Elementary School - Ms. Heather Ronan, Ms. Kathy Connelly-Day, Ms. Francesca McDevitt
Principals Ronan, Connelly-Day and McDevitt presented the third year of their 3 year school improvement plans (attached to these minutes). Updates of strengths and successes on student belonging, student achievement, and family & community were given as well as action steps for improvement. MCAS scores were reviewed as well as Panorama survey data.

Request was made for the actual number of students at each level reading and math as opposed to the percentage to be given in the future as well as keeping student belonging as part of the school improvement plans.

PUBLIC COMMENT
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

-Ben Crosby, 28 Norman Ave.
Shared that he’s been fielding comments on the modulars and that students are coming home with wet clothes and sneakers when it rains.
He requested to revisit insurance coverages for clarification for events on what is covered and what is not.
He advised that there does need to be parody on school councils.
He voiced that student belonging could be tied to how students may or may not feel about belonging in their home.

Announcements:
-Budget Subcommittee Meeting: November 12, 2025, at 6 p.m., Adams
-Athletics Subcommittee Meeting: November 13, 2025, at 7 p.m., Adams
-Election Day 11/4, no school, staff PD day
-Halloween, 10/31, trick or treating from 4pm-7pm
-Trunk or Treat at WHS 10/25, 3-7pm

Mr. Scott expressed his thanks for the privilege of serving and his appreciation of the guidance from his fellow members and gratitude to Superintendent Curtin and Assistant Superintendents Smith and Fratolillo

Mrs. Devine announced this was the last meeting before Election day, November 4th, and thanked all candidates for engaging with the community. She wished all candidates (in all races) well and hopes that no matter the outcome, all will continue to stay involved.

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, November 6, 2025 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:37pm on the motion by Mrs. Devine and seconded by Ms. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.