Meeting Recap: 6/9/25

Our final in-person meeting of the school year was a mix of celebration and continued business, so this will be quick (well, for me). 

Agenda | Recording

1. We approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from our special committee of the whole meeting last week during which we, among other things, approved the appointment of our new Assistant Superintendent for Academics & Instruction (Dr. Kimberly Lawless Talbot) and our new Director of English Learners (Chelsea McNiff), received updates about the search for a new Athletic Director, and signed off on some minor changes to the structuring and descriptions of positions formerly classified as “Building & Grounds” but now “Facilities.” [Did you like how I shoehorned that bonus meeting in rather than making a whole new post?]

2. Congratulations to the middle school string ensemble [as well as the high school orchestra, whose formal recognition occurred at a City Council meeting last month] on their gold medal performance at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association showcase. 

3. Cheers to the various sports teams on their high-achieving/championship seasons—esports, gymnastics, softball, baseball, girls and boys lacrosse, boys ice hockey, and crew (who are competing at Nationals this week!) 

4. Thank you to the outgoing administrators heading off to superintendencies in other districts (Paul Teixeira and Peter Cushing) and staff members retiring after 20+ years of service (Loren Gomez, Karen Breen, Karen Roberto, Jana Ewing, and Mary Hoarty). 

You can see photos of items 2-4 on the MPS account here.

5. We approved the addition of revised physical education requirements to the high school graduation requirement—2 years each of physical education and health, plus elective or opt-out options for continued physical education. 

6. Budget analyst Gerry McCue and budget director Noel Velez presented the budget reconciliation adjustments to bring our request in line with available City funds. This included the allocation of stabilization funds and free cash to cover collective bargaining reserves and extraordinary maintenance, staffing budget adjustments based on enrollment and availability of state and revolving fund accounts, and the addition of several teaching positions to meet student needs at all three levels. Prior to the committee’s approval of these changes, I commented that I was happy to see increases to mental health support and arts among the adjustments. 

7. Member Graham recapped the Strategic Planning subcommittee meeting related to my overcrowding resolution from April [if you read my last recap, you already have way more info than you wanted about this] and we voted on the two resolutions not already approved by the budget reconciliation—moving two MEEP classrooms from the Roberts to the Missituk next year and authorizing the creation of strategic space planning task force once this summer’s space utilization study is complete. 

8. Condolences and adjournment

Our next regular meeting will be on Zoom on Wednesday, June 18, but Members Graham, Intoppa, and I will also be on Zoom tomorrow (Wednesday, June 11) for a Family Engagement & Communication subcommittee meeting wherein we discuss communication protocols related to after school and academic transitions. 

Congratulations to all the seniors who graduated last week, and all those being honored at end of school year ceremonies this month!