At the April 15, 2025 School Committee Meeting, there was a discussion of the Pollard School Improvement Plan, cell phones in school, school committee policy revisions, and town meeting preparation. There were also appreciative remarks about outgoing School Committee Member, Connie Barr.
School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates
- Congratulations to Andrea Longo Carter & Alisa Skatrud on their reelection to School Committee and a warm welcome to Sri Baqri, newly elected to School Committee. After internal committee elections, Mike O’Brien is now the School Committee Chair and Alisa Skatrud is the Vice Chair. Many thanks to Liz Lee, outgoing School Committee Chair.
- Many thanks, appreciation and farewell messages for outgoing Committee Member, Connie Barr. Dr. Barr spoke about her experiences over 18 years of service and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Needham community and students.
Discussion Items
Pollard School Improvement Plan
Dr. Tamatha Bibbo, Pollard Principal, and colleagues presented an update on the Pollard School Improvement Plan. Full presentation and School Improvement Plan can be found in the packet.
Highlights
- All staff has been engaged in Professional Learning on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT)
- Panel discussed implementation of UDL and CRT in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math and Science Departments
- PONG Pilot: included 1 full cluster of teachers and students and 6 elective teachers’ classes
- Tier 1, 2 & 3 Restorative Practices were enhanced to ensure consistency across all aspects of the school community
- Career and college readiness standards and assessments that currently exist have been examined; Scoir added
- Active participation in middle school reunification project
The School Committee engaged in a robust discussion with the panel after the presentation.
Cell Phones in School Discussion
Alison Coubrough-Argentieri and secondary school principals led discussion, together with the School Wellness Advisory Committee, about the impact of cell phones and social media on student wellness, areas of strength and improvement and proposed changes to the 2025-2026 school handbooks related to phones and other technologies at school. The School Committee engaged in a robust discussion with the panel.
- School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC) has been meeting throughout the year to examine the impacts of cell phones and social media on student wellness.
- Additional information about the work of the SWAC in 2024-2025, including proposed additions to school handbooks concerning use of personal electronic devices and cell phones in the Needham Public Schools, can be found in the packet at p. 52.
- Proposed language includes a Cell Phone Free Environment during the entire school day for Elementary and Middle Schools, and Cell Phone Free Environment during Instructional time in High School. This includes use of cell phones, smart watches, and personal electronic devices.
- School Committee will receive the SWAC final report in June.
Draft School Committee Policy Revisions
Superintendent Gutekanst reviewed updates to certain School Committee policies identified below. The revisions were intended as “clean up” of older policies with outdated practices. Committee specifically discussed updates to the Evaluation of Professional Staff, School Admission policies. All policies available here:
- AC: Non-Discrimination and Harassment
- ACE: Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
- AFC (GCN): Evaluation of Professional Staff
- AFE IM: Evaluation of Instructional Programs
- EBC: Emergency Plans
- EBCB: Fire Plans and Drills
- EBCD: Emergency Closings
- JEC: School Admission
- JFCK: Drug-Free Workplace
Town Meeting Preparation
Superintendent Gutekanst led discussion about Town Meeting preparation and, specifically, warrant article 11: Appropriate for Financial Application Software. This article would fund the replacement of the Town’s Enterprise Resource Planning financial application.
FAQ on Article 11 available in the packet.
Action Item
Portrait of Needham Graduate 2026-2030 Strategic Framework
- During the April 1, 2025 School Committee meeting, Diane Simmons presented a draft 2026-2030 Portrait of a Needham Graduate Strategic Framework.
- School Committee approved Strategic Framework at April 15 meeting.
School Committee Comments
- NHS Performing Arts students headed to Italy for performances
- Several students victorious at state National History Day
- Appreciation for outgoing Chair, Liz Lee
- 250th Anniversary of Lexington Alarm upcoming; see the Needham History Center website for more details
The next School Committee Meeting will be May 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.