The most development of the meeting was the approval of the district goals for the upcoming school year. These goals were discussed extensively, with a focus on aligning them with broader district objectives and ensuring they addressed the needs of all school levels. The approved goals included the implementation of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for the third consecutive year, enhancing critical thinking skills in middle schools, and developing a comprehensive technology plan to ensure all district phones comply with laws requiring 911 capabilities. The discussion also touched on facilities improvement projects, emphasizing the need to finalize the capital plan in coordination with the new Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations, Curtis Whitman. The goals were unanimously approved by the members present.

Another issue tackled was the fee structure for EV charging stations recently installed at two schools. The committee had previously signed a contract for these installations, and the town of Hamilton had done similarly. Energy Manager Vicky Mason recommended implementing a fee structure to offset maintenance and insurance costs. After a discussion, including considerations of whether to set a lower fee to encourage usage, the committee unanimously approved the proposed fee structure. Some members raised concerns about the potential need to revisit the fee structure if the town adjusted its pricing, but it was agreed that further evaluation could occur once the fee structure was operational.

In new business, the committee discussed a proposal regarding a new agreement for food service workers. This contract, marking the first for these employees, had already been ratified by the food service workers. Superintendent Eric Tracy mentioned that an evaluation would be developed in the fall. To ensure a thorough evaluation of the contract’s implications, a member proposed tabling the discussion to a future meeting, which was seconded and agreed upon. Tracy clarified that the school would not face immediate issues due to the timing, as the next meeting was scheduled for early September.

The committee also engaged in a discussion about the terminology used in district goals, specifically the transition from “portrait of a graduate” to “portrait of a learner.” This sparked a conversation about the implications of naming conventions in goal statements and the necessity of action verbs to enhance clarity and actionability. The committee emphasized collaboration among teachers to ensure that their objectives resonated with broader district goals.

As the meeting progressed, the logistics surrounding master schedules were addressed, particularly regarding tiered interventions in classrooms. It was clarified that the new master schedule would be implemented in the upcoming school year to allow for more effective delivery of tier 2 interventions, minimizing disruption to tier 1 classroom instruction. This approach aims to prevent situations where students miss essential classroom time due to pull-out interventions. The committee noted the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of the new master schedule and aligning it with the leadership team’s discussions from a prior retreat.

The committee also received information about the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which involves state-mandated assessments in math and reading for students, specifically targeting seventh graders this year. The state will coordinate the logistics of the assessment, which will occur within a designated timeframe. Questions arose concerning the selection process for participants and the importance of ensuring student participation while minimizing disruption to the educational process.

Superintendent Eric Tracy provided a report thanking custodians, administrative assistants, and other staff members for their efforts in preparing for the school year. He highlighted significant projects completed over the summer, such as improvements to the high school auditorium, new windows at the central office, and repaving parking lots to address drainage issues. Tracy introduced Curtis Whitman as the new Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations, who will attend future meetings.

The meeting also addressed the absence of finance and operations discussions due to a member’s recent paternity leave, with the committee celebrating the arrival of a new baby. Subcommittees, including Capital Finance and negotiations, had not convened over the summer, with negotiations with the teachers’ union needing to resume soon.

A notable highlight was the recent feasibility meeting with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), where the district’s educational plan received commendations for its quality. The MSBA acknowledged the plan as one of the best they had reviewed, leading to increased reimbursement space for the project. The committee awaits more concrete financial details as the planning progresses, with expectations for project costs to be clarified by November or December.