School Committee — June 10, 2026

a speaker shared news of the passing of Jamie McCarthy, a custodian at Clarke School, noting his positive impact on the district and mentioning his son also works in the district. Dr. Hackett echoed these sentiments, noting the loss is felt deeply by the Clarke community.

The committee held a moment of silence.

The Chair indicated that more time is needed to finish reviewing the evaluation documents.

The item was removed from the current meeting's agenda.

The evaluation will hopefully be available for the next meeting.

Dr. Hackett honored a large group of retirees, totaling 444 years of collective service, including Lisa Rhodes, Deirdre, Kari Shear Boucher, Emmett O'Brien, and Jane Day. The committee also recognized Julie Fenn (Maple Board Honor Award), Barbara Hamilton (Ruth M. Vatsan Leadership Award), and Heidi Simmons (MASBO President's Award).

Awards and tokens of gratitude were presented to honorees.

Updates included a plea for Lex250 volunteer hours and notice of the final meeting for the special education district review. The Chair introduced structural changes to meetings, including moving 'Community Speak' after presentations, implementing a reflection period, and adding a section for public records requests. There was also mention of potential afternoon/evening meeting times for subcommittees to increase engagement.

The committee noted the upcoming 'Community Conversation' forum on June 17th.

The first Community Conversation forum will be held on June 17th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the LHS Library.

Member Kathleen Lenihan expressed concerns regarding international/out-of-country travel in a complex geopolitical climate. There was also a inquiry regarding how substitute teacher costs are accounted for in the Quebec trip budget; Dr. Hackett clarified that these costs are included in the participant fees rather than the operating budget.

The Diamond Middle School trip to Quebec and the Clarke Middle School trip were approved.

Staff will look into the specific accounting mechanics of how substitute funds are transferred into SuperTISA.

The LEF presented how they awarded 31 grants totaling over $190,000 across all district schools. They highlighted various projects ranging from professional development to school murals and discussed signature events like the Trivia Bee.

The committee expressed appreciation for the foundation's support of the district.

The presentation covered high participation rates (63%), diverse food stations (Deli, Ruby Grill, Coyote Grill, Yardbird), the 'Red's Best' fresh fish program, 16 hydroponic gardens, visual aids for special needs students, dietary accommodations (allergy, gluten-free, kosher, halal), and the transition from compostables to reusable items. Discussion also addressed vegetarian meal compliance with USDA protein guidelines and the program's self-sustaining financial model. A member suggested exploring pre-ordered deli sandwiches.

The committee expressed high satisfaction with the program's innovation and quality and received an update on current food service operations.

The food service team will look into the feasibility of a pre-ordering system.

The committee is organizing a forum with breakout groups focused on Finance, Curriculum, and Technology. The goal is to move beyond 'grievance airing' toward productive engagement using curated guiding questions. Members discussed logistics, including group assignments, the need for 'group norms' to maintain positive dialogue, and the decision to hold the event in-person only.

The committee tentatively assigned members to lead the breakout groups and agreed to draft engagement guidelines (group norms).

The community conversation is scheduled for June 17th, 7:00–9:00 PM at the LHS Library.

Dr. Hackett reported on the upcoming administrators' retreat, staffing status following recent reductions (11 staff members remain unplaced, with fewer than a dozen expected unplaced by fall), enrollment data trends, and updates on the special education district review and the high school building project regarding community feedback on bathroom design.

The report served as a formal update on district operations and upcoming seasonal transitions.

Alpha School presented its mastery-based, AI-augmented educational model with interdisciplinary afternoon sessions. Committee members questioned the qualifications of 'guides' versus traditional teachers, the criteria for age-appropriate book selection, how AI is utilized, the distinction between standards and curriculum, mastery assessment, screen time, socialization, and support for students with learning gaps. The program representative defended the model, stating AI manages pacing while teachers focus on coaching. Legal context under Mass General Law was noted.

The application was presented for committee review; the committee decided to table the decision to allow for further research and a potential site visit.

The committee will reach out to schedule a site visit or respond in writing; documentation regarding building and safety protocols is requested.

The proposal for the 2027-2028 calendar was presented for a vote with no questions or concerns raised by the committee members.

The calendar was approved by a 5-0 vote.

The policy is a required adoption following new state regulations. Dr. Hackett noted that while the 'hands-off' approach is intended to improve practice, there is concern that it could inadvertently lead to increased restraint if student disregulation escalates. The committee noted that implementation may require additional resources.

The committee completed the first reading of the policy.

A second reading and subsequent vote are scheduled for the next meeting on the 16th.

Members debated whether subcommittee meetings should be held immediately before full committee meetings. Arguments were made regarding staff availability, the need for substantive working time, and parental accessibility (noting that late afternoon meetings may conflict with childcare/commute, while morning meetings conflict with work).

The committee agreed to move away from the requirement that subcommittees meet immediately before full meetings and will look into a consistent, potentially alternating, schedule.

Develop a regular, predictable schedule for subcommittee meetings for the remainder of the year.

Lisa Sullivan (identified as a teacher at Fiske) cited a joint statement from various Massachusetts educational associations regarding a 'perfect storm' of fiscal challenges including inflation, rising special education tuition, transportation costs, and the need for living wages and healthcare coverage for educators. She urged the committee to present a realistic budget that avoids increasing class sizes or cutting extracurriculars.

The speaker urged the committee to be 'visionary' and present a realistic budget.

The 2027-2028 budget summit is scheduled to begin the following night.

The speaker inquired about the participation of administrators in the June 17 community discussion and suggested a presentation-dialogue format. They also raised questions regarding the School Building Committee's process for revising bathroom designs following public feedback, specifically concerning privacy and urinal placement, and asked how the community can review designs during the summer. The speaker also inquired if the district has plans to gather feedback regarding dining services based on student preferences.

The speaker requested clarification on when the discussion summary will be published and when the School Building Committee will be debriefed.