11 Takeaways From the Feb. 14 School Committee Meeting

Libby says 30 positions could be at risk; Russo calls out valentines mailed to his home

The Tewksbury School Committee met last night with all members present.

1. Budget Presentation
Business Manager Dave Libby presented the second budget public hearing. You can see our reporting about the first here. The only difference from the last public hearing is that Libby reported 6% growth in the Shawsheen Tech levy, which came in $86,000 higher than originally budgeted. While the town is picking up some of that, Libby needed to reduce the district budget by $51,000. This changes the overall budget request to 2.54% more than last year as opposed to the previous 2.63%. 

There is still an expectation this budget will change before it comes before Town Meeting in May, especially in light of ongoing contract negotiations. In the School Committee Q&A, member Rich Russo asked what cuts would have to be made if the TTA receives the 8% cost of living increase the union has asked for. Libby said the district would need to cut as many as 30 positions.

2. New IEP Format Presented
Director of Student Services Rick Pelletier and Assistant of Director of Student Services Candace Tharrett had a presentation on the new IEP training. Pelletier notes that this is not a new IEP process — it is just a new form. All special education faculty have been trained, and after April break both parents and general education staff will be trained. Parents can also access training materials from the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

3. TMHS Looks To Keep More Students In District
TMHS principal Andy Long and Director of Student and Family Support Karen Baker O’Brien gave a presentation on the TMHS 2024-2025 Program of Studies and Project Lead the Way. PLTW is a curriculum aimed at students interested in pursuing careers in STEM, said Baker O’Brien.

“Project Lead the Way is equally as rigorous as your AP and your dual-enrollment courses,” she said. “It is project-based. It provides students with hands-on interdisciplinary entities to learn. Students are connected with industry professionals and partners.”

These programs reflect efforts to reduce the number of eighth graders choosing not to attend TMHS.

4. Resident Raises Questions on North Street
Keith Anderson was the only speaker at Citizens Forum. Anderson questioned what’s going on with the North St. school building. He is an abutter who thought the school buildings were going to be demolished by the town, based on recommendations from the Reuse Committee. Anderson said he believes the town can find $4 million to take them down. He notes there’s a cost to secure, heat and maintain the property. 

Anderson also questioned what storage facilities in the back of the Center Elementary School and in back of TMHS are being used for, given that the town still has space in the old fire station. He also noted that three pieces of snow removal equipment are sitting behind the Center Elementary School, and he didn’t see them move once in the recent storms. 

5. Ginsburg Family, Polimeno Award Nominations Open
Superintendent Brenda Regan announced that two annual awards are now open for nominations. The 2024 Annual Ginsburg Family Award recognizes an individual, group or company who has made a significant impact on the Tewksbury Public Schools. And the 2024 Krissy Polimeno Outstanding Educator Award is for an educator who goes above and beyond. Both forms can be found below, and the community is invited to make nominations.

6. Report Cards Out, Bus App Fixed
Assistant Superintendent Lori McDermott shared that Kindergarten and grade five through 12 report cards went live today in ASPEN. Grades one through four reports will be coming in March.

Libby recently discovered an issue with the bus app on delayed opening and early release days. The app had been set with a two-hour window to track buses, and on these days buses were running outside the window. The issue has been fixed.

7. School Committee Member Reports
Members gave their subcommittee updates.

• Tewksbury SEPAC: Kayla Biagioni-Smith noted that the school transition questionnaire is still live. Also, tomorrow night’s meeting is actually a civil rights workshop about the new IEP form. 
• Wellness Advisory Committee: Russo said the meeting was focused on nutrition, specifically offerings at Tewksbury schools compared with surrounding towns. He also asked if there was an opportunity to have a mock crash at TMHS to illustrate the dangers of impaired driving. 
• Policy Subcommittee: No policy updates tonight.

8. 24/25 Calendar
There is an update to the 2024-2025 school calendar draft. The expectation is that this is the final for the year, but there may be some adjustments to school start and stop times due to busing. 

9. Progress Toward Goals
The School Committee offered an update on the objectives they set for themselves. One goal was to review all polices to make sure they are up-to-date and in compliance with state and federal regulations. The committee has reviewed and approved 31 polices to date and continues to work through them.

Another goal was to improve communication. Kayla Biagioni-Smith notes that they do this through sub-committee updates every month, from the various meeting and sub-committees members attend. Another way to reach the community is through the new district Facebook page, which shares what is going on in the district. Russo noted the website the committee uses to share updates in regard to collective bargaining.

The third objective was to have professional development that advanced the school committee’s knowledge and effectiveness. For this goal, most members attended the MASC conference in November. They have an upcoming Day on the Hill. And they had a great session with Neil Cohen, who is the Director, Regulatory & Compliance at Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General.

10. Russo Calls Out TTA Valentines
During School Committee matters of interest, Russo thanked 61 TTA members for the Valentine cards they sent to his home.

“Receiving these in honor of this special day was, without a doubt, a timely reminder of the priorities we share,” he said. “Your opinion has not gone unnoticed, even as we continue to navigate the intricacies of negotiations publicly in doing what is best for kids.” [ed: quote updated]

The TTA posted the Valentine’s cards that were sent here.

Chair Bridget Garabedian shared that she is looking into a new way to recognize volunteers in the district and said more information will be forthcoming.

11. Future Meeting Dates Set
Here are some dates to remember:

• 2/15 – Civil Rights Workshop
• 3/5- Federation for Children with Special Needs training on new IEP
• 3/13 – Public Heating on Budget and Regular School Committee Meeting
• 3/21 -TSEPAC Business Meeting
• 4/3 – Wellness Advisory Committee
• 4/10 – Regular School Committee Meeting
• 5/1 – Regular School Committee Meeting
•  5/6 – Regular Town Meeting
• 5/8 – Special Town Meeting
• 5/22 – Regular School Committee Meeting