14:47One focus of the meeting was the fiscal year 2026 budget, which included an additional $80,000 in unallocated free cash approved by the finance committee to support the school department. This allocation was particularly noteworthy as it ensured full coverage of operating expenses and helped the district avoid cuts. The committee expressed gratitude toward the select board, town administrator, and finance committee, acknowledging the collaborative effort that went into securing the budget. Committee members highlighted the importance of these discussions, which involved in-depth consultations with building leaders to prioritize needs despite the town’s resource constraints.

28:17The meeting also addressed changes in the special education department. A proposal was discussed to revert to a structure that includes one facilitator and an assistant special education director alongside a regular special education director. This change was prompted by the growing number of special education students, which increased from around 250 in 2020 to approximately 360. The previous approach of having two coordinators was deemed ineffective due to time constraints that hindered their ability to address critical needs, such as budgeting and funding discussions. The committee unanimously approved the new job descriptions for these positions.

18:20Another agenda item involved a memorandum of agreement with AFSCME Local 2667 to hire a dedicated cook for the school’s food service. This initiative aims to improve meal consistency, particularly in the middle and high schools, where 600 to 700 meals are served daily. The agreement allows for the hiring of a cook at a pay rate of $2 more per hour than regular food service staff, with funding from the revolving account, thereby not affecting the general budget.

21:22The committee also discussed potential regulations concerning vocational education admissions. Although Westport is not a vocational school, proposed changes to adopt an attendance and discipline-based admissions process could impact the allocation of spots and state aid, affecting enrollment figures for districts that send students to vocational institutions. Concerns were raised about the implications of a lottery system, which might overlook deserving students. A committee member proposed a resolution to formally oppose these regulatory changes, emphasizing the importance of taking a stand before the Board of Education’s vote on May 20.

12:19In addition to these discussions, the meeting touched on logistical and operational matters. The staff and student attendance reports were reviewed, noting a concerning drop in attendance levels for teacher assistants. The committee approved bill warrants dated May 2 and May 16, totaling $3,874.96 and $270,433.27, respectively, without raising any questions. An update on the district’s phone system issues was also provided, detailing ongoing efforts to resolve recent failures with a new controller expected to be installed soon.

35:24The meeting addressed the last day of school for Westport Elementary School, which had to be moved to June 23, 2025, due to a school cancellation caused by a water leak. This change, necessitated after communications with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, would incur additional costs of up to $10,000, primarily related to transportation for special education students. The committee approved this change after confirming it would not impact the schedule for other schools.

39:30Finally, the committee acknowledged the acceptance of two grants: a $1,500 grant from the Westport Education Foundation and a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for an art show. Both grants were accepted without discussion.