One notable issue on the agenda was the approval of a new Title IX policy that complies with recent regulatory changes effective from August 1st. The new policy shifts terminology from “sexual harassment” to “sex-based harassment” and updates the district’s grievance procedures. There was initial uncertainty about whether to vote on the new policy immediately or treat it as a first read. Some committee members expressed concerns about the timing of the approval and potential confusion if the policy were not finalized before being included in the school handbook. Ultimately, an amendment to the agenda allowed for a vote, and the new Title IX policy was unanimously approved after correcting references to the Title IX coordinator and fixing typographical errors.

Attention then turned to the handbooks for East Middle School and the high school. Notable changes in the East Middle School handbook included updates to grading terms, the introduction of a new PB Matrix to clarify behavioral expectations, and the addition of a link to a bullying allegation form. Teachers expressed a preference for a ban on hats to reduce confusion and potential conflicts among students, as the previous policy allowed hat-wearing at the discretion of individual teachers. This was discussed, but no final decision was reported.

Concerns were also raised about the language in the handbook regarding report cards and progress reports, particularly for students with IEPs and preschoolers. Additionally, the committee discussed the need for a mechanism for anonymous bullying reporting, as the current Google form captured users’ emails. It was suggested that adjustments could be made to allow for anonymous reporting.

The high school handbook discussion included updates to the dual enrollment policy and new language addressing the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms. A new attendance requirement was proposed for student athletes, stipulating they must be present for the entire school day to participate in practices or games, aligning with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) guidelines. This sparked questions about the consistency of attendance policies across different extracurricular activities, particularly the distinction between athletic events and other school activities such as prom. The assistant principal acknowledged the need for consistency and noted the policy was under review to ensure compliance with MIAA standards.

Artificial intelligence in schools was a significant topic of discussion. The committee emphasized the need for a formal district policy on AI, as Massachusetts has not yet adopted such policies. The implications of AI usage were debated, particularly regarding the boundaries of plagiarism versus legitimate tool use. The current draft of the guidelines was questioned on whether it should be considered a policy or merely procedural language.

The meeting also covered updates on staffing and budgetary concerns. A new nurse was successfully hired for the elementary school, addressing prior worries about filling this position. Financially, while some federal grants were reported to be lower than expected—specifically Title One and IDEA—there was a favorable update regarding Chapter 70 funding, which came in higher than anticipated. This state funding increase offset the reductions in federal grants.

However, the kitchen project faced challenges due to a lack of bidders, prompting an email to the Attorney General’s office for guidance. The escalating costs of materials and a shortage of general contractors further complicated the project. Despite these issues, the maintenance and custodial teams were commended for their efforts in preparing the school buildings for the upcoming year, even while being short-staffed.

The superintendent’s report highlighted the completion of summer school programs, the introduction of a new math curriculum, and a focus on social-emotional learning programs such as Second Step. A substantial grant of $210,000 for after-school programming was also announced, aimed at supporting before and after school care with an emphasis on math enrichment.

Transportation planning for the upcoming school year was reported as complete, with finalized bus routes and assignments. Staffing efforts were ongoing, particularly for special educators and paraprofessionals, to ensure adequate support for student needs.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about upcoming vacancies within the school committee, stressing the urgency to fill these positions and suggesting the use of principals and social media to encourage community engagement.