The most significant topic of the meeting was the superintendent search update, presented by Hannah Sullivan on behalf of the preliminary search committee. Sullivan introduced the three finalists for the superintendent position: Michelle Balch, Cynthia Kennedy, and Mary Jane Rickon. Each candidate was praised for their commitment to the district and their collaborative approach to ensuring ongoing opportunities and success for all students. The search committee, comprising nine members, conducted a review and interviews to select these finalists. The committee expressed gratitude for the diligent work involved in the selection process, emphasizing the critical role of the superintendent in the district’s success.

Alongside the superintendent search, a point of discussion was the recent changes to MCAS requirements, particularly the excitement surrounding a ballot initiative to end its use as a graduation requirement. With the change effective from December 5, Easthampton students who have not passed the MCAS but meet other local graduation requirements will still be eligible to graduate. There were concerns about how these changes might affect student motivation and district performance evaluations, as MCAS scores play a role in state accountability. A member raised apprehensions about the potential for districts to be deemed underperforming if students do not take the test seriously.

The committee also discussed insights from a recent Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) conference, where members explored topics such as vocational and special education, equity inquiry, and the use of data in education. The conference provided networking opportunities and emphasized leadership and collaboration to promote positive outcomes within the educational system. The introduction of comfort animals at the conference, including a comfort cat, garnered mixed reactions, but the broader aim was to foster a respectful communication climate.

Anti-Semitism within Easthampton schools was another issue. The committee received correspondence from Owen Zaret, addressing incidents of anti-Semitism and the need for effective responses. The Massachusetts special commission on combating anti-Semitism encouraged community engagement through a survey. Discussions are expected to continue in a future collaborative update to determine who will address these concerns and how best to involve the community.

Budgetary concerns were highlighted, particularly regarding special education tuition costs for out-of-district placements, which have increased more than initially calculated. This adjustment necessitates careful budgeting as the fiscal year 2026 planning progresses. The finance subcommittee is expected to address these concerns in upcoming meetings, with a focus on ensuring financial stability.

Personnel updates included several new hires, most notably in special education, although challenges remain in filling certain positions, such as a lunch supervisor at Mountain View. Suggestions included raising awareness among families to attract candidates who may not be job-seeking.

In terms of community engagement, the committee discussed ongoing anti-bias training and protocols for discrimination incidents. The Community Engagement Subcommittee (CES) is instrumental in these discussions, emphasizing the importance of involving the community to ensure everyone is informed about how issues will be addressed.

Lastly, the committee approved accounts payable and payroll, and discussed an eighth-grade field trip to New York City scheduled for May 28 and 29, 2025, as a replacement for a previously halted trip to Washington, D.C. Concerns were raised about financial assistance for students unable to afford the trip, with plans to explore fundraising efforts or other support mechanisms.