At the January 28 meeting, the School Committee received and discussed the following presentations:

The Committee heard an update on the ATM Warrant Article 18: A/C Study to fund a feasibility study of air conditioning in WMS, Bates, Schofield, and Fiske. Niki Ofenloch discussed the data gathering, scope of work and budget request. The next steps include a presentation to Advisory on February 26 and then at Annual Town Meeting in April.

The Committee then heard an update to the World History program at Wellesley High School. Sandy Trach, Assistant Superintendent, Learning and Teaching, shared that WHS Course 221 Modern World - 10 Honors, a previously approved WHS course, will once again be offered in the SY 2025-2026 WHS Program of Studies. Originally, the District’s plan was to offer the newly approved Modern World - AP course and not the Modern World - 10 Honors course in SY 2025-2026. However, upon further consideration, all levels of Modern World (CP, ACP, Honors, and AP) will be offered in SY 2025-2026.

The Committee then heard an update to the FY’26 Budget Discussion given by Dr. David Lussier, WPS Superintendent, and Cynthia Mahr, WPS Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, and Dr. Kat Bernklow, Director of Student Services. This update follows the presentation of the recommended budget by the Administration on December 10, two full days of Committee Budget working meetings on December 18 and 19, and the Public Hearing and Committee discussion at the January 21 Committee meeting. As a reminder, the full (searchable) budget is posted on the WPS website along with the December 10 slide deck. After a discussion centered on SEL position reductions, the Committee approved the budget. The Committee appreciates all the collaboration and difficult decision-making the Administration did to draft the budget.

The Committee approved proposed food service rates for FY’26 that Cindy Mahr, WPS Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, presented at last week’s January 21st Committee meeting.

Coming up…….

School Committee Meetings:

2/11 School Committee Meeting 6:30pm (Zoom)

School Committee Office Hours

2/26 School Committee Office Hours 7:00pm (Zoom) Sign up here

Click to access documents from the January 28, 2025 meeting.

Click to watch the meeting on Wellesley Media.

Click to sign up for upcoming School Committee Office Hours.