Among notable topics was the unanimous decision to accept a $5 million donation from the Ed Fund, which will name the main field “Ed Fund Field.” This donation was met with predominantly positive feedback from the community. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was prepared to formalize this naming agreement, providing the committee with the right to reconsider the naming if the benefactor’s reputation were to change significantly. This aspect was emphasized as an important safeguard.

The committee also discussed a second donation of $250,000 for naming the Joseph Marer Tennis Courts. Both donations were acknowledged as contributions to the school’s infrastructure, reflecting community support and engagement.

Following the donation discussions, the committee delved into the superintendent’s goals for the year, which are influenced by ongoing building projects. One goal involves developing an educational plan aligned with the potential construction of a new Hamilton Wenham Elementary School. This plan aims to define the educational framework for the new school, addressing the needs of early learners and ensuring adequate facilities to support current curriculum requirements.

A second goal focuses on managing construction projects, transitioning from feasibility studies to schematic design with a submission deadline in December. The superintendent noted the considerable time commitment required, emphasizing the need for voter agreement and understanding state financial commitments related to these projects.

The third goal pertains to the ongoing implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The integration of new curriculum elements, particularly in math, was highlighted as a componet of this effort. The necessity of updating the district’s multi-hazard plan, which has not seen revisions for over a decade, was also discussed. This update is important for ensuring current and comprehensive safety protocols.

The meeting also addressed procedural aspects related to the school committee’s mission statement. Members engaged in a dialouge on the clarity and length of the mission statement, considering a more succinct alternative. A friendly amendment was introduced to combine new wording with the existing statement, which passed unanimously among the members present. The revised mission statement will be revisited for final approval at a future meeting.

In other business, the committee discussed capital improvement processes and the scheduling of upcoming meetings, particularly those concerning the budget. The capital improvement planning is to be managed by a subcommittee that gathers pricing and bidding information, determining which requests are included in the next budget cycle. The necessity of taxpayer support for projects like the high school roof was mentioned, with potential funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The scheduling of budget meetings required adjustments to comply with regional agreement requirements, with a tentative budget vote moved to January 2nd and discussions around the feasibility of holding a meeting on that date. It was proposed to conduct the meeting via Zoom due to its proximity to New Year’s Day.

Additionally, the meeting included a presentation on student activities for fiscal year 2024, reporting approximately $219,000 in expenditures across five schools. The high school accounted for a portion, with clubs like DECA disbursing nearly $100,000. The committee sought approval for the continuation of 29 clubs, with an amendment to include the class of 2028.