At the April 17, 2025 meeting, the School Committee received and discussed the following presentations:

The Committee continued a brief discussion on the RFP bidding and selection process for a vendor to conduct a security audit. The District proactively conducts these audits periodically. The Committee voted to approve The Edward Davis Company as the vendor for the planned district security audit. At the Committee meeting on April 3, 2025, Dr. Lussier had led the discussion of the audit which will provide a comprehensive assessment of school safety, security risk, and vulnerability assessments for WPS and make detailed physical and procedural recommendations based upon the findings. All WPS schools and the administrative offices will be assessed.

The Committee then heard an update on the candidate search for the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services position. This search was initiated in response to Dr. Kat Bernklow’s planned retirement at the conclusion of the 2024–25 school year. The search did not yield a finalist who fully aligned with the position's requirements and the search was closed. Fortunately, the Superintendent was able to identify an interim Assistant Superintendent of Student Services candidate for one year and he will reopen the search for a permanent candidate next winter. In the past week, the interim candidate, Dr. Marguerite Connolly, met with faculty, School Committee members and the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) parents. The Committee voted to approve Dr. Connolly, a former Weston Superintendent and former Director of Student Services.

The Committee then heard several updates to items associated with the Committee’s recent approval of the District’s Competency Determination plan to meet the state graduation requirement. Dr. Sandy Trach, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Learning, presented an amendment to the District plan, related to the completion of Algebra 1 in middle school. Then Dr. Trach reviewed the inclusion of the competency determination language in the student handbooks and Programs of Study. Finally, the committee approved a revision to the District’s Policy IHBG, “Home Schooling”, to incorporate the new competency determination language.

The Committee then heard a presentation of the District’s most recent Panorama and VOCAL survey results. Dr. Sandy Trach, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Learning, and Dr. Hannah Tolla, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability, pared down the data to discuss the most important findings and action items related to school climate, student well-being, and belonging. The presentation led to discussion on potentially different ways to improve engagement and ascertain the desired data with different instruments and methods.

Finally, the Committee received a presentation of an updated PAWS (Preschool at Wellesley Schools) schedule and related fee structure for SY2025-26. PAWS Director, Kristen Stacy, discussed the rationale and benefits of the proposal. Due to staffing contractual requirements, implications of satellite classrooms on resources and family needs, Ms. Stacy is proposing shifts to the daily and weekly schedule. The Committee will vote on the changes at the next meeting.

Coming up…….

School Committee Meetings:

4/29 School Committee Meeting 6:30 pm (Zoom)

School Committee Office Hours:

5/21 School Committee Office Hours 10:00 am (Zoom) Sign up here

Click to access documents from the April 17, 2025 meeting.

Click to watch the meeting on Wellesley Media.

Click to sign up for upcoming School Committee Office Hours.