Superintendent Lynch began by welcoming Andrew Alsup, the new guidance counselor, followed by Nicole Malloy, the new school nurse. Malloy shared her background in school nursing and her unique interview experience in Ireland, expressing her excitement about joining the Whittier community. Next, Josette, the new English teacher, spoke about her previous roles and her enthusiasm for returning to the classroom. She highlighted the supportive environment at Whittier and thanked the community for their warm welcome. The final new staff member introduced was Martha Stett, the Spanish instructor from Lima, Peru, who emphasized her diverse teaching experience and eagerness to engage with the students.

The committee then turned their attention to Dr. Joanne Testa’s service. One member shared emotional reflections on Testa’s contributions, noting her extensive career in career and technical education, as well as special education. The speaker highlighted Testa’s role as a mentor and her advocacy for educational programs, emphasizing her positive impact on the school community. Another member read a letter from the Georgetown school committee, recognizing Testa’s two decades of dedication and her significant efforts in shaping the educational experience at Whittier. The committee shared a moment of collective gratitude for Testa’s work, with several members expressing that they were better school committee members for having served alongside her.

Following the acknowledgments, the student representative, Kaye Khabbab, provided an enthusiastic report on various clubs and activities for the new school year. The chess club has welcomed many new members and anticipates its first tournament next month. The Woodier Poetry Society will convene on Thursdays, focusing on poetry activities. The student government is preparing for significant events, including the homecoming dance and spirit week, while the yearbook staff is busy capturing senior portraits with an October 31st deadline. In sports, the girls’ soccer team has started strong with a win against LEL Catholic, and the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams are set to open their season. The football team celebrated an impressive win last Friday despite losing many players to graduation.

Superintendent Lynch then delivered her report, discussing staffing updates, including the hiring of various instructors and support staff, as well as the resignation of an administrative assistant and a school nurse. She noted that there would not be a budget or MCAS update at the meeting but anticipated sharing updates in the following month. Lynch highlighted her attendance at several events and meetings, including a luncheon at the Lapin Foundation for North Shore school leadership and discussions about collaboration between campuses. A job description for a part-time liaison position was presented and approved, aimed at enhancing communication between the school and the community. Lynch also outlined her goals for the school year, which include improving the master schedule, fostering positive school leadership, and enhancing communication strategies. The committee unanimously approved her goals.

The strategic plan draft was introduced, with minor adjustments reflecting alignment with the school improvement plan. This plan emphasizes professional development, collaboration with Northern Essex Community College, and workforce preparation for the region. A motion to approve the strategic plan was passed without discussion.

The principal and assistant superintendent highlighted key activities since the school year commenced, including a successful freshman orientation session that covered essential topics such as school safety, discipline expectations, and extracurricular opportunities. This orientation aimed to engage parents and guardians.

The fall semester also marked the beginning of the Northern Essex Community College partnership, with 162 early college students attending classes on campus. The transition to a college environment was noted as a positive experience for the students, who also received support while completing their coursework. Participation in fall sports saw an increase, with 382 students engaging in various activities, including football and soccer. The freshman football team alone had 57 players.

Food service data demonstrated an increase in student participation in breakfast and lunch programs, with averages rising compared to the previous year. The average breakfast count jumped from 135 to 253, while lunch averages fluctuated, peaking at 1,000 servings on a particular day. A club fair was initiated, encouraging students to explore extracurricular activities available at the school.

During the meeting, a special acknowledgment was made regarding Superintendent Lynch’s supportive leadership. A teacher expressed gratitude for Lynch’s advocacy during a challenging certification process, stating, “Auntie Mo, I finally passed… I really want to let you know how thankful I am that you stuck your neck out for me.”

The meeting transitioned to committee reports, with no updates from the executive and instructional personnel committees. The plan operations committee presented minutes from a prior meeting for approval, which was passed without discussion. The salary and negotiations committee reported on ongoing discussions concerning part-time positions at Whittier and Northern Essex.