A concern that surfaced during the meeting was the discovery of defective elbow joints in the concrete walls of the high school gymnasium, leading to water leakage and damage to the gym floor. The estimated cost for repairs is around $125,000, and the committee expressed urgency in addressing the problem to minimize disruptions to athletics and academic use. The goal is to complete the work over the summer. The discovery also raised alarms about the potential for similar issues to be present elsewhere in the building. Staff members who identified and addressed the problem were commended for their diligence.

The superintendent highlighted the We the People group’s notable achievement, with a 10th place finish in a national event in Washington DC. Updates on the school’s initiatives, such as the UMass Early College course offering at Easthampton High School, the ST Math grant, and the recent student trip to France, were shared with the committee. The superintendent also acknowledged the mayor’s support in avoiding staff cuts through careful budget management, an appreciation that was echoed by the finance subcommittee and the entire school committee.

The policy subcommittee reported on the second reading of policies regarding electronic messaging by school committee members and student technology use. These policies outline communication expectations among committee members and guidelines for technology use by students in the district. The policies were approved after discussion. Further policy updates included KDC, KDC B, and another one related to digital resources and community use, focusing on formalizing practices and compliance with district policies. The committee debated the continuous updating of digital platforms to ensure they remain accessible and user-friendly.

Additionally, the committee approved a one-year unpaid leave of absence for a math teacher at Easthampton High School. The teacher’s absence is intended to support their children during a period of transition. The committee also considered participating in the annual Memorial Day parade and the Hampshire Pride parade, with expressions of interest from some members.