At the December 16 School Committee meeting there was discussion of a Pollard Building Project Feasibility Study Update, FY27 Budget: Student Support Services, and Action items: 2026-2027 School Calendar and some School Committee Policies.
School Committee Comments
- Alisa Skatrud updated the School Committee regarding the Future School Needs Subcommittee. The report that was just issued states that there is a continued slow turnover in housing. They are projecting a slight decrease in enrollment over the next few years. Then the rate might accelerate steadily again in the future (10-15 years) depending on how the MBTA communities buildout goes.
Superintendent Comments
- Superintendent Gutekanst congratulated the High School Football team and their coaches for winning the 2025 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) District Sportsmanship Award this fall. They embody teamwork, fair play, respect for opponents, and ethics.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Pollard Middle School Building Project Feasibility Study Update
Over 75 engagement opportunities have been conducted thus far to have community members get involved in the Pollard Project. A lot more to come as we move into the next phase. An important milestone was reached this week when the Permament Public Building Committee/School Building Committee (PPBC/SBC) approved the submission of a Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) option to the MSBA – preferred option 5E: New construction, Grades 6-8, 750 seat auditorium, on the Pollard site. The MSBA will vote on this at their meeting in February.
Where are we right now:
Next Steps:
Up to this point we have been looking at the big picture spaces and square footage. Next phase the architects will plan out where the walls are, what the actual classroom configuration will be within the building.
You can see all updated information on the Pollard Project here.
FY27 Budget Discussion: Student Support Services
Patricia Mullen, Director of Special Education at NHS, teachers and student members of the Post Graduate Program at Needham High School presented about the Post Graduate Program at NHS and all the wonderful opportunities provided by the program. More details can be found in the packet.
The Post Graduate program runs on 3 tenets:
- Education
- Work
- Community
This program runs through the age of 22. Some students require additional assistance after the age of 18. This program offers help in gaining daily life skills, work exposure, community interaction, college classes, and much more. Very individualized for each student.
Special Education High School Budget Requests
Mary Lammi, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services and Stephanie Wyman, Executive Director of Special Education presented their requests for next year’s Student Support Services budget. Details can be found in the packet.
Budget requests address increased student enrollment in the Intensive Learning Center (ILC)
The ILC supports students with disabilities who require highly individualized instruction and significant adjustments to the general education curriculum in order to achieve meaningful academic and functional growth.
Current staffing:
- 2.0 Special Education Liaisons
- 4.0 Instructional Assistants
- Enrollment is increasing from 6 to 14 students
Requests:
- 1.0 Instructional Assistant
- .2 Speech Language Pathologist
- Reallocate 3.0 Instructional Assistants
Respond to increased enrollment in Post Graduate (PG) Program, NHS
- The Post Graduate Program provides students ages 18-22 with the social, vocational, and independent living skills needed to be as independent as possible (e.g. work sites, college campuses, community sites, travel training)
Current staffing:
- 1.0 Special Education Liaison, 1.0 Instructional Assistant
- Enrollment is increasing from 4 to 8 students, including 3 student returning from staff-intensive Out of District (OOD) programs
Requests:
- 1.0 Special Education Liaison, 1.0 Intensive Instructional Assistants, Reallocate 1.0 Instructional Assistant.
- OOD Tuition cost savings $450,000.00
FY27 Budget: Focus on Academic Improvements, Student Enrichment & Equity
Next Steps:
January 6th- Town Manager releases the FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan
January 13th- School Committee Public Hearing on Budget Plan
January 20th- School Committee votes the Budget Plan
ACTION ITEMS
- 2026-2027 School Calendar
- Graduation and Competency Determination Policy
- Middle School Pathway Exploration Policy Action Recommended
- Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the Needham School Committee approves the 2026-2027 School Calendar as submitted.
2026-2027 School Calendar
Background Information:
Based on feedback from the School Committee, staff, and parent leaders, the following adjustments have been made to the proposed 2026-27 School Calendar:
● As requested by the School Committee, there were further discussions with staff and PTC Presidents about the calendar. Specifically, we considered the impact of early release days on student learning and heard from teachers that the early release days at the elementary level are in many ways more focused because there are fewer recess, lunch, and snack breaks due to the shortened day. At the secondary level, students experience a truncated schedule on an early release day but do see all of their teachers and attend all classes.
● The day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 25th, will become a half day for students and staff which will mean the last day of school will be on Thursday, June 17th (unless there are snow days).
● In order to have a full and uninterrupted week of school prior to the December break, we moved the December 16th early release professional learning day to December 23, 2026 making the day an early release for all students and a half day of professional development for the staff.
The school committee raised the idea of rethinking how we handle half days as a district to maximize student attendance on those days.
- Graduation and Competency Determination Policy Action Recommended:
- Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the Needham School Committee approves (VOTE 7-0-0) the Graduation and Competency Determination Policy as submitted. To view the entire Graduation and Competency Determination Policy please see pages 76-79 in the SC packet.
- Middle School Pathway Exploration Policy Action Recommended:
- Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the Needham School Committee approves (VOTE 7-0-0) the Middle School Pathway Exploration Policy as submitted. To view the entire Middle School Pathway Exploration Policy please see pages 81-87 in the SC packet.
School Committee Comments
- This is the last meeting for 2025. The committee wishes everyone a healthy and happy holiday season and happy winter break.
The next School Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 at 6:30pm.