Sudbury School Committee — June 15, 2026

Standard opening procedures including time check and roll call of members Ellen Lederer-DeFrancesco, Betsy, Julie Durgin-Sicree, and Jessica McCready. Chair highlights Crozier's contributions and wishes him well.

Meeting formally opened; recognition of Crozier's departure delivered.

Sylvia Nersessian uses the starfish analogy to describe Crozier's student-centered impact; Jillian Kelton praises his consistent focus on students and staff; Select Board member Dan Carty thanks him for steady leadership during challenging years.

Public comments received and acknowledged; no debate or action taken.

Each principal highlights data (e.g., 93-97% school connectedness), new practices (WIN block, peer walkthroughs, late bus for Boston students, buddy classes), and responses to leadership changes. Common themes include relationship-building, evidence-based literacy training, and inclusive environments.

Presentations completed; committee defers all questions to end of segment.

Committee members may submit follow-up questions via email to be compiled and routed through the Assistant Superintendent.

Karyn Jones asks about caregiver trust and incident reporting; Betsy inquires about school improvement plan development and multi-year goal tracking; Julie and Ellen request more specific, measurable details in future reports. Principals respond on communication practices and flexibility of school councils.

Discussion concludes without formal action; principals affirm openness to direct family outreach.

Questions to be compiled and sent to Assistant Superintendent for principal responses.

Teachers analyzed SAMR model and engagement continuum to prioritize active student technology use (creating/sharing) over passive consumption. Session emphasized 'purpose before platform' and consistent messaging. The workshop focused on best practices for educational technology using models like SAMR, the EdTech triangle, and the engagement continuum. Teachers highlighted the principle of 'purpose before platform.' The group will reconvene in fall 2026 as part of FY27 PD planning.

Update provided; group to reconvene in fall with FY27 PD time already blocked. Committee acknowledged receipt of prior feedback on technology.

Continued work on professional development plans in the fall; group reconvenes in fall; PD time blocked in FY27 schedule.

Central office staff attended multiple events across buildings. Staff worked extended hours preparing for the final days, including adjustments around Juneteenth and a power outage.

Update received; no action taken.

Karyn Jones requested pulling the Anthony Bent workshop item and noted the missing Q3 report. Chair clarified intent to dissolve the search subcommittee before discussing the new screening committee timeline.

Consent calendar approved as amended (removing workshop and Q3 report).

Detailed search process discussion expected at July 6 meeting.

The workshop includes one-on-one meetings followed by a public 3-hour session focused on roles, responsibilities, and effective goal-setting. Concerns were raised about cost ($1,000–1,500), open meeting law compliance, and whether the focus was operational vs. relational.

Motion approved 4-0 with 1 abstention (Karyn Jones). Funded from district professional development line item.

Dr. Bent will schedule individual meetings; workshop scheduled for July 27.

Current $100 fees result in a deficit. Spreadsheet modeled revenues at $110–$150 assuming 15% scholarships. $125 fee level was identified as sufficient to break even (excluding yearbook) while allowing small clubs like DEI and computer science to continue.

Approved $125 club fee and $75 unified program fee for 2026-27 with no minimum enrollment; unanimous vote.

Fees will be reviewed annually; administration to track revenues.

Common themes across drafts: communication, student experience/belonging (including METCO and technology), and fiscal stewardship. Superintendent search was noted as a major time commitment but not necessarily a standalone goal. Members discussed how to consolidate strategic actions into three main buckets and prioritize given other workload. a speaker emphasized the need to focus and prioritize to avoid spreading efforts too thin given the superintendent search and override; a speaker stressed academic concerns such as post-COVID reading levels, 7th/8th grade ELA, caseloads, and class sizes.

No vote; members will individually reorganize action items into communication, student experience, and financial stewardship buckets for the July 27 workshop. No finalization occurred; the group agreed to revisit priorities at the goal-setting workshop rather than deciding buckets that evening.

Goals to be finalized after July 27 workshop; final approval at a subsequent meeting. Members to bring top three priority buckets to the goal-setting workshop on June 27; list of standard annual presentations to be prepared for the same meeting.

Chair thanked Sandra for the memo; projects reported as proceeding according to plan with timelines to be monitored.

No concerns identified; no motion required.

Updates to be requested throughout the summer if contingency plans become necessary.

Deadline required any items to be voted on that night; no members proposed articles.

No motions or articles forwarded.

Karyn Jones asked about LS liaison activity on a Jewish PAC; Julie Durgin-Sicree (new LS liaison) confirmed she had seen no mention but would investigate.

No further action taken during the meeting.

LS liaison to look into Jewish PAC discussions.