The meeting also featured a presentation on the upcoming draft calendar for the 2025-26 academic year, scheduled for further discussion on November 14. The Superintendent’s report included an election message to educators, providing resources for post-election discussions and emphasizing the need for students to engage with the electoral process. Additionally, a professional development session planned for November 5 will focus on literacy and the integration of anti-bias texts into the curriculum, with an emphasis on equity initiatives.

The Spotlight on Excellence segment celebrated the fiction and film course at Brookline High School, highlighting its innovative approach to student engagement through a partnership with the Coolidge Corner Theater. Teachers Rob Primer and Evan Muso discussed the course’s development and its role in providing experiential learning opportunities. The program, which includes free film screenings as field trips, aims to break down barriers to accessing educational resources outside the classroom. This segment underscored the course’s success in integrating cinema into the curriculum and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Public comments during the meeting revealed community concerns regarding the impact of AI on education, the academic calendar, and the suspension of the DEIP after-school program. Julian Rico, representing the Brookline High School AI and Education Club, advocated for a coherent townwide AI policy that would educate students on the responsible use of AI technologies. Meanwhile, parent Tal Kennet raised issues surrounding the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and its implications for the school calendar. The suspension of the DEIP program, which provided critical support for families in Brookline housing, was a issue for speakers like Bushra Yousef and Kiara Far, who called for its reinstatement and highlighted the need for equitable resource allocation.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions on the capital improvement plan (CIP) and deferred maintenance. Dr. Given presented the background and details of the CIP, emphasizing the need for clarity in deferred maintenance allocations, which include essential repairs across various school buildings. The committee debated the nomenclature and classification of maintenance tasks, with members noting the importance of flexibility in budgeting for unforeseen costs.

The meeting also addressed the necessity of modifying the existing bus contract with Eastern Bus Company to accommodate additional routes due to the Pierce School construction project. This required adjustments to the budget, with funding sourced from the Pierce School building project’s relocation expenses. Concerns about the contract’s pricing structure and logistics were discussed.

As the meeting progressed, the committee deliberated on resolutions for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) annual meeting. Topics included safe firearm storage, video cameras on school buses, and educator diversity licensure requirements. The committee engaged in discussions on these resolutions, reflecting varying perspectives and concerns.

In subcommittee reports, progress on capital improvements at the Pier School was noted, alongside updates on the Driscoll School playground completion. The curriculum report highlighted strong district performance on MCAS, while addressing challenges faced by students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Additionally, the finance subcommittee discussed building fees and expenditures, with plans for a three-year review cycle proposed.