The meeting’s most notable discussion revolved around a public comment by a resident named Jeffrey, who inquired about the impact of the MCAS as a graduation requirement on the local school system. Jeffrey raised concerns about the number of students who had not received diplomas over the past five years due to failing the MCAS exam. He also mentioned that students struggling with the MCAS often gave up on their classes, leading to diploma denial for various reasons. Dr. Meski responded by acknowledging the issue and stated that a small number of students might have been affected. He committed to following up with Jeffrey to provide more detailed information, including comparisons with data from other local communities over a span of ten years.

Moving forward, the board addressed several financial updates, with a particular focus on the town’s free cash position. The projected figures for fiscal year 2024 were reported to be similar to those of fiscal year 2022, with only minor fluctuations. The Finance Committee plans to address the recommended use of free cash in their upcoming meeting, which is expected to focus on budget planning. The committee highlighted the need for just over $6 million in free cash to maintain the same level of growth in the operating budget year-over-year, aligning with the total use of free cash in recent years.

Educational updates also took center stage, with discussions about the Director of Finance search process, the METCO program director search, and the summer progress regarding the math pathway. Dr. Mileski provided insights into the MCAS results, which were scheduled to be publicly shared the following morning. Additionally, ten National Merit Scholars were recognized, including nine commended students and one semifinalist, with families of these students to be notified soon.

The board discussed the departure of the current Director of Finance, Dr. Derkpin, who is moving to another district. The timeline for hiring a new director was deemed less than ideal, prompting consideration of an interim appointment. The possibility of appointing an interim director to allow for a more favorable hiring timeline was discussed, with Assistant Business Manager Kate Finegan being a potential candidate, though personal commitments may prevent her from stepping into the role at this time. The committee plans to begin interviews soon and may schedule an interim meeting to formalize the appointment and address any necessary fund transfers.

Updates on the Kilum project were also provided, highlighting meetings with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The project appears to be on track for the October 10th board meeting to advance to schematic design. Upcoming community engagement meetings will address site use, traffic, and queuing concerns, with an update scheduled for the financial forum on October 30th.

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) shared their involvement in managing anxiety and depression in children, promoting a community screening of “The Right to Read,” and organizing a presentation featuring actors with experiences of substance abuse. The Student Advisory Committee, represented by Jason, provided insights into ongoing developments at the high school, including new tables funded by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), a motivational speaker for freshman orientation, an upcoming field trip, and an internship fair for seniors.

Jason also mentioned the Thanksgiving football game planned to take place at Fenway Park, the Swiss exchange program, and efforts to address infrastructure concerns, particularly the maintenance and cleanliness of school bathrooms. The committee aims to continue enhancing accessibility and investing in improvements within the school.

The meeting concluded with discussions about the math pathways initiative, led by Dr. Hardy. A newly introduced summer geometry course aimed at accelerating high school students’ math pathways was highlighted, with positive feedback from students and families. The importance of customizing math pathways to cater to various learning styles was emphasized, along with efforts to provide diverse opportunities for all learners. Concerns about pushing students into advanced classes prematurely were addressed, with discussions about the feasibility of in-person sessions for seventh and eighth graders aspiring to advance.