The appointment of Alejandro Bayz emerged as a development, with Bayz stepping into the role left by Kristen Maxwell. Bayz expressed gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted the importance of maintaining stability and focus within the committee. He underscored the need for collaboration and open communication as the committee prepares to hire a new superintendent and improve academic outcomes. Bayz’s appointment was unanimously approved through a roll call vote, and his remarks were met with congratulations from fellow committee members.

The meeting devoted considerable attention to the discussion of a proposed policy for addressing challenges to library and classroom materials. This policy aims to establish a structured process for evaluating complaints. The proposal includes forming a committee to read challenged books in their entirety and assess them based on educational value and alignment with district criteria. Should a complainant disagree with the recommendation, they can appeal to the school committee for a final decision.

Concerns were raised regarding the absence of an administrator during initial informal resolution meetings. Some members advocated for including an educator in these discussions to ensure parental concerns are addressed appropriately, while others highlighted the importance of clear escalation processes. There was also discussion on how to incorporate parental input without allowing politically motivated complaints to disrupt educational integrity.

The committee explored the idea of leveraging technology to enhance parental oversight of student library selections. A suggestion was made to use the Infinite Campus platform to allow parents to track the books their children check out, promoting parental engagement and facilitating discussions on book appropriateness. Members expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, noting its potential to empower parents in guiding their children’s reading choices.

Another topic was the committee’s plan for a health and wellness fair at Methuen High School, reflecting ongoing efforts to engage the community in health education. Staff feedback on the event was positive, and the acting superintendent emphasized the importance of incorporating staff recommendations into the planning process.

The acting superintendent presented a transition plan outlining priorities for the remaining months until June 30th. This plan focuses on developing a student-centered budget, maintaining high-quality instructional materials, and fostering a culture of trust and communication. The acting superintendent also proposed a parent university initiative to enhance parent engagement through hybrid learning sessions on topics such as bullying prevention and academic support strategies.

In addition to policy and planning discussions, the meeting also addressed logistical aspects of the superintendent search. The committee plans to present two finalists at a workshop meeting in March. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining and litigation.