The public voiced strong opposition to the idea of creating a mega school, fearing the loss of the town’s small-town feel and the potential impact on students’ academic performance and the community’s character. Concerns were raised about preserving the intimate environment that small schools provide for children, as well as the potential for increased commercialization of Winthrop. The Environmental Impact Committee member emphasized the need for sustainable building practices. The meeting was marked by disruptions and a temporary recess due to disagreements among attendees.

They touched upon their mission statement, focusing on inspiring students to realize their potential and fostering a sense of belonging.

A discussion took place regarding the Ed Fund Mini Grant, resulting in the unanimous acceptance of the revised grant amount of $4,962.25. The approval of the May 2nd meeting minutes, with amendments, was also addressed.

The scheduling for the 2024-2025 school committee meetings was discussed, and despite scheduling conflicts for one member, the dates were approved as presented. The committee proceeded to appoint a member to compile the superintendent’s composite evaluation and outlined the process for submission and review.

The school building polling subcommittee’s update was a focal point of the meeting. Signal Polling, praised by ABC 538 Rankings in 2024 for accuracy, proposed a methodology for creating a representative sample and an estimated cost of $8,900 to $11,600. The committee scrutinized the polling process, including selection methods and response guarantees, and ultimately gave the green light to engage Signal Polling based on the presented methodology and cost.

Further discussions ensued regarding the reporting capability of the polling company, the framing of survey questions, and the transparency of the polling process. There was skepticism about the company’s ability to gather 300 representative responses within 72 hours and concerns about fluctuating costs based on the number of scenarios presented in the poll.

The committee debated the delayed recommendation to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and the potential cost implications of missing the June 6th vote. A motion passed to authorize the ad hoc committee to contract with a polling company for an amount not to exceed $12,500 and to create the content of the poll.

Subcommittee assignments were deliberated, with members expressing preferences for policy, negotiations, and capital finance subcommittees. Karina Warner was appointed as the assistant district treasurer. Plans for establishing a meeting schedule for the capital finance subcommittee and selecting a chair for the policy subcommittee were also discussed.

Negotiations with the teachers’ union and ASME groups were ongoing, with the committee working on new contracts for cafeteria workers and custodians. The Superintendent reported on senior events and field project bids, with the final bid awarded to Argus Construction. The committee considered inviting the polling company to present findings at the June 6th meeting and discussed the timing for recognizing student representatives. The meeting concluded with a move to enter executive session for collective bargaining strategy discussions.