During the public comments section, several individuals voiced their concerns about racial discrimination within the district, with particular emphasis on the treatment of black and brown students. One person urged the formation of an emergency task force to address pervasive anti-blackness, and the hiring of a qualified DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) consultant to review and recommend policy implementations. Another individual highlighted an incident involving their young black daughter at West District, criticizing the school’s response as inadequate. Concerns were also raised about the absence of a formal process for addressing racial incidents and the lack of teacher training on these matters. The need for transparency in how these incidents are handled was also a topic, with instances cited where lessons about slavery were presented inappropriately to students.

In light of these discussions, there were calls for the formation of a task force and the hiring of qualified outside consultants unaffiliated with the school district to address the issues brought forward. The committee acknowledged the need for professional development to incorporate bias training, and discussions ensued about the annual plan for professional development activities. These plans included Crisis Prevention Intervention training and compliance training on topics such as Title IX.

On another significant matter, the committee discussed the use and impact of mobile devices in schools. The proliferation of mobile devices and their impact on students were of particular concern, with the superintendent expressing worries about the negative effects of social media and the need for a policy to address the issue. The proposed policy would require devices to be powered off and stored during the school day, except for medical or educational purposes. The policy and governance subcommittee is expected to review this policy with community feedback before it is potentially adopted by the full committee.

Additionally, the committee considered a motion to authorize a contract for the construction of playgrounds at the Williamstown Elementary School. The contract, up to $951,451.24, aimed to create accessible and inclusive playgrounds. Funding for the project was secured, including $300,000 from Williamstown arpa funds and the Williamstown Elementary School renewal fund. The playground designs featured accessibility elements like wheelchair ramps and sensory play panels, with construction potentially beginning in the spring of the following year.

Financial matters were also discussed, with the committee voting to support the administration in contracting for the replacement of the Williamstown Elementary School playgrounds and to approve change orders for the field and track project within the original budgeted amount. The finance committee provided an update on the fiscal year 2024 third quarter, noting unexpected expenditures but anticipating less spending in areas such as heating and snow removal.

The budget constraints faced by the district were a topic, with the impact of the pandemic on property prices and limited state aid being major concerns. The district had added staff during COVID using temporary funds, leading to worries about retaining these staff members. The increasing cost of serving students with individual education plans was emphasized, and the ethical and legal obligation to meet these needs was highlighted.

The meeting also touched on concerns about the Latin program at Mount Greylock Regional School, with a potential transition to a single World Language offering being considered. This sparked a broader conversation about the community’s values and budget allocation, leading to suggestions for a dedicated meeting to discuss these priorities.