00:05The meeting opened with the committee addressing its internal organization, focusing on the election of the chair and vice chair. Lisa Sheldon was nominated for a second term as chair, with members citing her strong performance in the previous year. The nomination received unanimous support. For the vice chair position, the committee emphasized the importance of rotating leadership roles to foster inclusivity and engagement. This discussion led to the nomination and subsequent election of Lauren Vives as vice chair.

05:41Further discussions explored the creation of a more structured rotation schedule, akin to practices observed in other local government bodies. While no formal policy was enacted, the consensus was that open dialogues regarding leadership roles could prevent decisions based merely on tradition. The committee also filled other key positions, with Grace Lochhead elected as the King Philip (KP) representative, reflecting her personal connection to the KP school. The committee also nominated Adrian for the role of recording secretary, acknowledging her valuable past contributions.

34:09The meeting continued with focus on the appointments within the school system. The discussion included the reappointment of Marian Goodman as a business consultant, with the school currently lacking a full-time business manager. Goodman, who has been serving one day a week, was recognized for her support in bridging operational gaps. The committee approved her reappointment.

35:17Attention then turned to the appointment of school nurses, a legal requirement under Massachusetts law. Julia Lavoy and Kathy Stack were appointed as full-time and part-time nurses, respectively, at Freeman Kennedy School. The committee also recommended hiring Kathy Beck full-time to replace the retiring Ann Hurley. Salary adjustments were discussed to ensure competitiveness with market rates, and motions for these appointments passed unanimously.

37:47The role of the school physician was another point of focus. Dr. Henry D’Angelo, who has served the school for several years, was praised for his responsiveness and support. The committee unanimously reappointed him for another year with a stipend of $2,000.

18:25The committee also addressed the status of the building committee, which remains inactive pending a funding decision from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). If funding is approved in July, the committee will reconvene a building committee and undertake additional feasibility work. In the interim, discussions about forming a community working group were considered, contingent upon MSBA’s decision.

24:23Community involvement was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. The committee approved over $5,000 in contributions from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and other groups, supporting scholarships, camps, and various programs. The chair highlighted a personal experience at a camp event, noting the positive impact of community engagement. Additionally, the FK advanced band’s performance at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) competition was acknowledged, with appreciation expressed for the ongoing support of music education.

27:57The committee also discussed the closure of the Bay State Shelter, set for the end of July. With 27 students currently enrolled, the administration is working with the shelter to facilitate a smooth transition to a new emergency shelter.

39:11Finally, the committee considered a draft calendar for the upcoming school year, proposing Tuesday night meetings similar to the current schedule. Specific dates were debated, especially in November, to avoid conflicts with holidays and professional development days. Interest in conducting a committee retreat before the school year was also expressed, though scheduling conflicts were noted due to vacation plans.