All right. It's Wednesday, August 5th, 2026. The time is 6:03 p.m. Calling this meeting of the Westport School Committee to order. Horizon. Thank you. Under Mass General Law Chapter 30A section 20F, this meeting is
being recorded. We'll start with comments and statements from the public. Seeing none, we'll move on to ourformational agenda. We'll start with superintendent report. Dr. R. >> Thank you. As you can imagine, the summer is a
pretty busy time, especially for our facilities folks. So, a couple of updates there. Um first of all I want to acknowledge that this building and project has received achieved a silver and lead certification and lead stands for leadership in energy and
environmental design. So we um appreciate the efforts of everyone and we are working towards closing out our school building project. Uh, also the athletic fields will be ready for the fall. Unlike last year, um, where we had
some issues and the fields were not ready. We are anticipating that the fields will be ready to go as August comes pretty quickly. We also, if you have not seen it, please take a look at the mural in our
cafeteria, which is really amazing space and thank you for everyone who who worked to get that together. Um, we also have for us [sighs] our summer is done. I had the admin
here, all of us that are in the audience right now as as administrators. We've come together for the past two days. will finish tomorrow to get ready to open up for the school year. Uh we came together on a common vision and our
hopes and dreams for what we wanted to do in service of our students and our families. One of the highlights of our in our institute was we had a couple of teachers come to speak to the administrators. We had done a book study
about the anxious generation. So if anyone out there wants to read a very telling book about this generation of of children coming up. The book is called The Anxious Generation. And then we had a first grade teacher and a high school
teacher give their perspective on what they're seeing in their classrooms um to combat that and what may be giving us some ideas on how to move forward. And we're also finalizing our hiring process so that we have a few more
openings, but I think we're overall in in decent shape. And um the next thing that's going to happen to you in September when we come back, and this is through the work of everybody, is I'll be presenting a strategic plan for you
to take a look at and to give us feedback on. >> Thank you, Dr. Wright. And I also want to uh thank the facilities department for preparing our buildings ahead of the opening of the school year. I know it takes a lot of work both inside and outside the building. So, I want to
recognize them and also recognize our staff and administrators. I was able to pop in very briefly to uh the administrators meeting and I want to thank their work as they prepare. >> Teachers and Nicole D. Thank you, Dr. R. Any other questions,
comments from the committee? All right. Uh before we move to the curriculum report, I do want to acknowledge um another member of our staff, Mark Tibido, who Okay, thank you, John. Um,
so I just want to recognize uh Mark Tibido who served our district for 31 years, retired uh last month as a custodian and um want to recognize his work for our serving our students in the
district. Um it's a 31 years is a strong commitment to Westport and the work that our students do. So I want to recognize him, thank him for his years of service to the district. That being said, we'll move to item B on the information curriculum director
report. >> Thank you. Good evening. Uh brief report tonight. Uh it's been a busy summer. Uh there's people think that there's not a whole lot going on in terms of curriculum over the summer because the kids aren't here, but there's actually quite a bit. Um I'm hard hard at work uh
working on renewals and purchases of curriculum for the upcoming school year. partership with our executive secretaries in each of the buildings um writing and submitting a variety of grants and hope approving them all. That'd be great. Um
I've been working with Ms. Miranda on a draft of our professional development plan for the school year and we will be partnering up with our WFT leadership to finalize that plan. So looking forward to that. Uh that plan will include some
professional development for our staff in math literacy as well as a variety of other topics focused on special education. Um this summer uh through our innovation career pathways we were able to allow two students to engage in a summer
internship. This was the first time that we had done that. Um we knew that we had our new career pathways um coordinator coming on but um in the meantime I took on a little bit of super supervision of
that but the two students were very uh self-motivated. We had one student at uh physical therapy at Charleton Memorial and one student at Agape Dermatology. So great moving forward in our ICP program.
Any questions? Thank you very much. Okay, item C, business manager report. Um, so we'll get started with enrollment right now. Um, the registar right now is in full swing registering new students
coming in, which we do have quite a few. We don't have an updated number. That usually takes about first week in September. An update on what our enrollment numbers will be and what students we have coming in. We have various ages that grades that are coming in. So, it's not just a certain grade.
So, that we'll have a better update for you in a few weeks [clears throat] on that. Um, transportation payments and registration for transportation is due August 7th, this coming Friday. So, families out there, the forms are online. Also, the payment for going
through city um I've used that word all day long today. Can you remember it? city hall which is linked with the town page because it helps reduce the fees. So we changed from my school bus. We're no longer using my school bus for
transportation. We moved over to the city hall systems which is through the town which helps reduce the fees that families are paying. So that is set up transportation changes, new enrollments for transportation and money and any of the fees that are due this Friday.
Upgrade update on the playground playground. The um playground itself is ready to ship in two weeks to the Matarm School. I'm ready waiting on right now as the contractor to get in there and start doing their ground work to be able
to accept the new equipment. I don't foresee the the um playground being up and running the beginning of school, but we're lucky enough to have the existing playground still there, so students will be able to use it. they will close off
and tape down the existing area so that the kids stay away from that area to be able to, you know, they might be able to use part of the pavement that's still there. Um, probably mostly all of it except for premium feet. So, that is just a little bit slow coming, but we
hope to see that up and being used before the end of the fall this year with kids. So, really looking forward to that. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. Uh moving to the item D committee
that is in reports. We'll start with Kaitlyn. >> Um we have a building committee meeting tomorrow. So I'm sure there will be an updated on that. And then um we did just have a policy meeting in which we have
some agenda there. >> There have been any meetings since last week. I I haven't had any extend. >> Very good. Uh I have none either other than a school building committee meeting tomorrow. Um and I believe the audit
committee should be meeting I think next month if I'm not mistaken. Next month in September. Um all right, we'll move to item E. Alice Recap. Uh I believe Mr. Pico is here. Thank you for joining us.
Good to see everybody. Um so uh before I just go in uh to this u year review for 2526, I just want to thank uh the committee, our school administration as well as our police department for their continued support in this uh very important work. So thank you for that.
Um pleased to announce that the district has been recognized as an ALS certified organization once again. Uh the criteria for that are yearly comprehensive updates to our emergency operations manual. Uh the last update was just completed on the 29th of this month. We
had proud number of 92% online training reertification. Their qualifications are 75%. We do shoot for 100 um but we're well above the bar. Um as well as our uh trauma informed drills that we that take
take place at all of our schools. Um this year, as in the past, we continue to offer uh age and developmental analyst overviews and Q&A um assemblies with Officer Davis, Officer Pacho, as well as myself as the district's trainer, delivered to all buildings this
year on September 9th and September 10th. We held our second house for parents night with SRO Davis and Pico on November 5th of 25. We're doing that again this year. Well received by the community. We had four very successful
drills conducted throughout the course of the school year at all buildings. Um those were different scenarios um each time. And um what I think I'm most proud of is that um when we debrief, we've had a discovery of opportunities for improvement based on drills. That
includes um conversations about signage, how we communicate um potential threats in in our buildings. Uh as well as our speaker systems at this building have been updated. So our guidance suite now gets notifications through both systems which is great. Um and our PA payment
button has been maintained or operational for the for for each of the drills which is um really productive. So again thank you everyone for this important work and any question just I just have to thank you obviously super important
you know especially nowadays and you know it's good to see that this is ongoing and um you know used to be the focus um certainly throughout all of our plans and it's obviously the most important thing that I think was
a great job. >> Thank you. Very proud of you. >> I just to add to that I wanted to also thank you. I think that your work on this is very important. This is the as Jay said the most important thing that we do is ensure the safety of our
students in our building. So, uh, thank you for this and also want to highlight the partnership with our police department in town. Uh, they are close partners with us and, uh, want to recognize their their efforts as well and thank you for for what you do. >> Thank you.
>> Just just want to echo thank you, but also I do know that you've been doing this for several several years now and I really appreciate the follow through and continuing to make every >> Thank you. This is my sixth year in the district here. everything from 8 to 90 year overall is
thank you very much. Okay. Uh item F Masc joint conference early bird pricing. So uh every year as you may know the Massachusetts Association of School Committees holds a joint conference with the Massachusetts Association of School
Superintendent. Uh that typically occurs in November. It's usually on uh on the Cape. They've had it at the same location for a number of years, but this year it's uh they moved the location to Danvers um November 4th through the 6th. So, if members are interested in
attending that, I've attended a number of times and uh I always learn something new. You learn from your colleagues from across the state uh about their practices, how they run things. You learn from uh panelists in here. How different districts approach a wide
range of issues from special education to budgeting to uh collective bargaining. There's a lot of different panels that members can uh participate in and uh you can kind of do it as you choose. So there's not a set schedule. You can kind of choose what you attend,
what you uh which panels you you go to. So um I always find it very helpful. But that is uh ongoing. So, if members are interested in attending that, there is a deadline for the uh registration and we can talk to Lori uh if you're if you're
interested in attending. All right. Uh item G, the South Coast Educational Collaborative Financial Report. Uh I don't believe this requires an action, but we do have to acknowledge it. So, uh I'll just briefly note that. So, the educational collaborators, Essie
oversees the governance and compliance of educational collaborators throughout the state. Um included as part of this oversight is a financial review [clears throat] that happens every six years. Uh the South Coast Collaborative members are in [clears throat] receipt
of the report. Um the collaborative met uh all of the indicators of success. There's a partial rating on two of them, but um other than that it seems to be in order. I think Fran, you're on the board as far as a member district. Do you have any comments on it or
>> No, we meet monthly. Um This is certainly been my first year. So, it's an educ it's been an education for me, but it's an important resource and we appreciate the collaboration education collaborative. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments from
the committee? >> Okay. Item H, discussion of superintendent evaluations. So, uh, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a end of cycle summitive evaluation report for superintendent that committees use to evaluate their
superintendent. Um, I, uh, Lori had circulated a draft of the evaluation to members. Um, I figured this would be an opportunity for uh the committee to opine on this and to offer if there are
any recommended changes, edits, uh, if the committee is good with this evaluation. But I just wanted to highlight a few things. So the way that the evaluation works, there are a number of uh, standards that DESIE identifies
and those are in a a number of categories. There's a structure of leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement and professional culture. So the committee evaluates uh and communities around the state of superintendent based on those criteria and then those criteria are
certain focus indicators that the committee uh for lack of a better term grades superintendent on and comments on it uh in a in a narrative format as well. So there's a narrative aspect and a sort of a grading aspect to the
evaluation. So um just on the content of the report >> [snorts] >> uh I'll note a few things that Dr. our way. This being her first year, um, you know, the entry plan was kind of the basis for a lot of the points of evidence that that were provided to the committee and, uh, in my opinion, the
superintendent has met the goals, uh, that she set as part of that and I think is doing a a fantastic job with leading our district and has a really comprehensive and thoughtful approach to the way that she's both entered the job um, and joined the district. And, uh, I
want to commend her efforts on that. She's really made a um a strong effort to um in a in a number of areas, but I'll note a few. Her community engagement has been very strong. I know she made a concerted effort when she started to really make sure that she got
stakeholder input on uh a number of important uh aspects of the operations of the district. So, as part of that, she led 11 community partner meetings, 13 school visits, and school observations. This was as of this past [clears throat] January, so only a few
months into her uh tenure. Uh eight interviews with elected officials and led 13 listening sessions with families, PTO, staff uh and students. And I think that this is really uh a central component of Dr. Rose's approach as superintendent and is very important.
she got right to work, sunk her teeth into the the budget process, uh, and I think has has done a good job of communicating the needs of the district to the committee, which is important for us to hear that. Um, and I think has really fostered a good environment
[clears throat] in the district. So, I want to uh commend the superintendent and thank you for for all your work uh in this last year and looking forward to continuing to work with you. Um, [clears throat] are there any comments or questions from the committee on the evaluation, any
recommended edits, changes to the draft? >> I'll just say that I I I really do like the draft. Um, and you know, I think it's a very accurate reflection of um, you know, certainly how I feel as well. Um, and certainly want to commend Dr. Reagan on her entry. Um, and also her
follow through. Um, communication certainly um, you know, has been a real a real big plus. um and not just you know personally the school committee but all of the outside um you know organizations and and groups that are also tied to not only our district but
also um the community as well. So um great job and I I do like the um the draft evaluation. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Um certainly this is well done on the uh on the draft here. I would not recommend any changes. I would
certainly like to highlight uh the the efforts of Dr. is has is undertakings since she also uh you know it is worth noting a lot of this comes from the re-entry plan and the range plan was extremely detailed and had a lot of a lot of goals a lot of items for you to check off and uh so far
so good so thank you again it's been a pleasure looking forward to the next couple years at least >> I'll just echo what the committee has already said um you know I joined the school committee to get involved and to you show my commitment to the my kids
that are in this school district and I think you have done the same thing and done that well. Um the commitment to the community, the commitment to the staff, the commitment to the students. Um and I think it's been a great first year and you know far different from previous years as a parent and district and now
on the committee. Um we really appreciate the hard work that you put into it and the care that you put into it. So >> thank you very much. I I do appreciate the support. It was a it's a great first year I've learned a lot and I appreciate
this community more than I I could I realized and so I'm looking forward to the work ahead. >> Thank you Dr. Uh on that note before we move forward uh just want to confirm are there any recommended changes that is to the draft
before we done the appropriate now we will move approval of the uh evaluation second. >> All right. So we'll take the action agenda out of order to uh act on this item. There's a motion and a second to approve the evaluation. Is there any
further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> That's unanimous. Good. Thank you. Moving to item nine, the Westport Community Schools Bill Warrant dated August 7th, 2026, $363,459.35. In July 24, 2026, $228,145.76.
Uh, I reviewed both of those bill warrants. Everything seemed to be in order. Any comments, questions from the committee? hearing none. Uh we don't need to act on that. Members are in receipt of federal warrants. Moving to item J of theformational agenda. First read of the
following policies. KF community use of building facilities. We will pass over that. Uh ECAB access to buildings and grounds. EA bus driver examination and training. I artificial intelligence. We are skipping
over for this evening. Uh, IFBB school choice, KBG, parent advisory councils, IKA, timeout seclusion and restraint students, ILCD administration and
medication students, ILCDC self- administration and self-care medications. Um just a couple of notes, the policy subcommittee uh which is uh the members are Caitlin met prior to this meeting and uh so in addition to
passing over uh items KF and I [clears throat] there was also a a small change recommended to IFBB uh just adding a portion uh to the one of the sentences and uh ILC uh Miss Marina I think is getting clarification
on one of the items there um But other than that, just the members of the company have any comments? >> No. Um I say no when I talk. No, it was a pretty smooth meeting. Um
you know, a couple things that we did want to um kind of go over again ourselves, but in terms of the the first get ready for that and have some updates to make for our >> Thank you. Um, and I will note uh just because there's been the committee's
received some uh some questions on this from uh parents on the school choice uh issue, this the amended school choice policy uh is a recommendation [clears throat] from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and includes a new section uh relating to
preference for siblings of currently enrolled students as part of that process. Um so that's the the recommended change there. We have received a number of questions on the school search process. So I just wanted to clarify that that is the the change to the item and all these are hyperl on
our agenda on the school website. Um and all of the other changes that were mentioned were also recommendations from the association of school committees. All right. Uh moving to the action agenda. We completed action item A.
Moving to item B. Review and act on the staff handbook. Miss McDaniel. >> Um, good evening. >> Uh, just a few changes in the handbook. Most of them were clerical. We updated some names and some titles. Um, there
were policies that Mass eliminated and then at the school committee subsequently eliminated them. We removed the language from the handbook referring to those policies. One of them was the dress code policy that was removed. Uh
so the language in the handbook regarding the dress code was updated. Thank you. Are there any questions? I know members received a copy of this and uh I reviewed it and those policies that were changed would have all to reflect
changes to district policy and uh MASC recommendations. So questions. All right. Thank you. Okay. Uh item C, review and act on the >> We do actually. Yes. Thank you. What's the pleasure of the committee?
>> I'll make a motion to approve the staffing for July 26 27. >> Second. >> Thank you. And is that school year 26 27? Is that fiscal? No, I think it says on the school year. >> All right, there's a motion and a
second. Uh, any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> That's unanimous. All right. Moving to item C, review and act on 2627 district student and family handbook. I know [clears throat] our principles are here tonight. Thank you for joining us. I
know I'll just know a few items. Uh, I know we were combining the handbooks this year. Um, I know previously [clears throat] we had sort of a pile of separate handbooks and now we're condensing them into one to to streamline it. Uh, and I know I I had
two questions on the at least on the middle high school one if Laura if you would be able to address those or if you had any any change that you wanted to highlight. >> No, no change to be highlighted. One of the pieces that was still left literally highlighted was on breathalyzers that I
wanted to get the opinion of the committee on. >> Okay. Um I have one question on the uh on the wind block. >> Yes. >> So what what is uh I saw it in there. >> Yep. >> So wind stands for what I need. >> Okay.
>> It is going to be a halfhour block of time that students will have in their schedule every day after third period. And ultimately what's going to happen is on day one of the cycle, students are going to go to their home room and they're going to make a selection of where they want to go for the next five
days for when hopefully they're going to make choices that are going to that serve them. So for example, if they know that they miss a math test, they will schedule one of those win blocks with their math teacher so they can make up that test that they missed. or if
they're failing ELA, they'll schedule time with the ELA teacher to meet with them to get remediation. For some students, their selection might be shooting hoops in the gym because that's what they need on that particular day or walk the track, go to the media
center. Of course, teachers are going to have the ability to override student selections. So, let's say a kiddo is failing social studies, but they think they want to book Shoo. Well, he's all wrong. So, you're going to go to social studies and your teacher's going to place you into that class.
>> That's my favorite part. I like that. >> Yeah. But the teachers can decide. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions on that? Okay. Um, on the breathalyze piece, I was curious if our school resource officers or the
police department had any input on that. >> Yeah. So, at this point, I think I've been to 45 homecoming proms and black and white dances. I have breathalyzed in and out on every single one of those events and we have never had a student fail a breathalyzer.
The reason I'm bringing it up is really twofold. Does the committee continue to think that it's necessary and two we are going to have to plan ahead because we're still using the yellow breathalyzers that have been here since the challet days and while they're still functional they're definitely they're
aging. Um, Miss Morris did purchase some new ones, but the new technology is very small. It's hard for students to use. It takes a long time to take a reading. So, it would take a really long time to get everybody in and out. So, I just wanted
to discuss if we think that it's a a necessary, you know, requirement to get into these dances. And I thought Davis to answer to to your point he is there at all all the dances and even if it's not him we hire
security and detail >> personally um personally [clears throat] myself um as shar but did do this a bunch of times um I would support not um continuing the practice of of
breathizing in and out of these homecomings problems and things, but I would also want to reinforce the fact that we do have um officers of the law present. Um and that
the repercussions for any kind of behavior um any kind of inappropriate behavior in terms of the use of drugs or alcohol are enforced by the law and not necessarily by our school administration because it
is something that is all school grounds um and they are a member of the public just like anyone else and should and will be treated that way. So, I just like that reinforcement to the students ahead of time, you know, maybe ahead of homecoming, ahead of prom, uh, which I know we, you know, have done various um,
you know, student assemblies or, you know, whatever it may be. Um, to kind of review that, um, I think it's smart on your part as a district. Um, and also, you know, it's kind of another warning um, to our kids.
Just because you know um you know these are going away doesn't mean that you know it's kind of I probably shouldn't say um yeah no I I just think that you know it would be it would be smart beneficial to kind of go
over the ground rules again ahead of you know our our coming um homecoming and prom if I can Mr. I am wary of eliminating it completely, but I understand the real logistical
challenges that this presents. Um, I would personally probably recommend that there would be some language stating that students attending would be subject to uh tests um pretty much randomly or you
know as needed. I I would I would want it well publicized that a breathalyzer still may be in play even if it isn't on the on the in-n-outs um you know creating lines and whatnot. So I think it's it's very important to eliminate it completely but I think I would support
language that leaves leaves the possibility in there without forming lines and that >> I think I hear on the side of Chris like keeping language in there. Is there other language in there regarding attending school functions and impairment and that sort
of thing separate from the breathalyzer? So, in all of our permission slips for any sort of dance, we say that students are held to the student handbook and the code of conduct. And in the code of conduct, we have language related to use of alcohol,
tobacco, and marijuana, which is where the greater issue lies. Yeah. So I think to Jay's point adding language in regarding you know the full extent of the law and all that but then also to Chris's point saying that there you know here it's mandatory but that you know
students are still subject to spot checks or however we want to add the language >> having no breathales on hand. open. >> The thing is if there if there haven't been any uh identified issues in the
past, maybe it was because there was a known stated consequence. Yes, I agree. >> You know, to to Jay's point, you know, we're the school district is not law enforcement officers, right? Uh but but you know, Chris, to your point, I think there's a way we can accomplish that. I
mean, law enforcement officers that are present are trained in recognizing signs of impairment. And if that does arise then perhaps they be subject to uh breathwise or if the law enforcement officer identified that a student may be
impaired. Um so I I would also support keeping it in that at least in that to that extent um the students attending would be subject to uh you know to kind of go back
if we did purchase you know a new one fairly recently um you know to have that and kind of as a backup or any suspecting obviously you know the administrators have that right um you know if we kind of create the policy around that um you know that we have on
our end and that administrators are you know the right to reference um I do I do and and just to be clear I think it would be important that would say subject to randomly suspect like
leaving the possibility England and maybe everyone could could ultimately get gets but I I mean again the logistics questions are are they're real questions. So uh but I I would not like to see it eliminated. Um I do have a good question to you Mr. Chair. Uh given
the timing, what is is it possible to approve the envelope with the exception of changing language here for the next meeting or are we running out of time? >> Cuz the next meeting is after school starts, right?
>> Yeah. So, this is really >> we wouldn't have a dance until November 13th, I believe, is when the first homecoming ice cream. >> I also think this will help us too because we currently don't have any language in the handbook as it relates to our middle school students. And so, with the change of language, we can make
sure we add that and I can also put language in that um we always have a nurse at these events and so we'll follow the same procedures that we follow if we suspect a student is under the influence at school. Okay. All right. What is the pleasure of the Thank you.
>> So, review with the changes or temporary whatever it is that >> we have to approve something before we start the school year. So, we would we would we could we could we could do it in two ways. We could either approve the handbook with and someone could vocalize
an amendment to that section or we could approve the handbook with with the exception of any changes to the breath of testing maintaining the language for now and then we can amend the policy prior to prom or homecoming. So we could do it under [clears throat] committee.
Yes. Do we um do we have any other similar issues that would come up from either of the efforts so that we can kind of go together? Anyway, are there any advice? Any questions?
So I I think I think I would I would move I I [clears throat] would move approval of the handbook uh as it stands now with the caveat that we want to revisit this on policy level uh before certainly before but before the first
day I guess the first try >> to revisit approval of the handle uh with a note that we will reconsider the
last section for the reading. >> I'll second I just want to confirm because Lori knows some of the time. Lori is is this is that acceptable? Okay. >> I think we be able to approve the same meeting which would be September just
the first meeting. >> Okay. So when we can look at a minute at the next All right. So there's a motion and a second further discussion. >> One comment. I just want to commend everyone more to this. Thank you for consolidating to one single candle for
the district. I think that's a major improvement. Uh thanks to everyone who made >> and thank you to Lori too. Lori had a big hand in this. Thank you. >> Yes. That was a small.
>> Yeah. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Uh item D, review and act on use of facilities application. Uh
I'll defer to Mr. Fosa in a moment, but I'll just highlight a couple of things. So this is the the rates that are amended here. Uh the the numbers were very low before. Honestly, it was likely a cost to the district to have outside
uh uh groups hold events uh in the in our buildings, but this is comparable to I know the seven other districts were looked at that were similar to Westport. So, uh these rates bring us more on par with what the the common practice is u
in other districts. So, uh do you have any comments, Michelle? No, it's very detailed. I mean, for the environment section, we do want to draw outdoor fields and have one in there. Um, as is I'm not I don't have it on my home, but I think that this is send that
to everybody. Um, no, I think cleaning this up is going to be just makes it so much easier for Mrs. Web who receives them when people come in. I think it's a lot more detailed. So, there's no question about
what people are paying. Um, making sure that we have coverage for custodial, cafeteria, light, sounds, and technology cuz sometimes we do run into that here. We'll have outside groups that come in and they're like, we need somebody to get the, you know, the lights going and
it's not because the new facilities were so outdated and so old that it was just not useful. So, this has definitely been helpful changing this. So I do see one thing that I would
strongly advocate be changed. It has nothing to do with the rates. It has everything to do with the the sign offs at the very end. Um I would like to stipulate that the superintendent needs to sign off on every one of these as opposed to just blankets.
So I'm not sure if that's something that can be changed on the fly here. needs to be revisited. But I do feel very strongly that the superintendent should take a look at that applications for use of facilities. >> What would central office currently
constitute who would be included in that? >> Many times it's the building principles. >> Okay. And she also signs it. I think many times the principles are involved in it, but it's
the superintendent specifically. >> I appreciate Well, first of all, I I don't want to take away the approval of principles and building leaders. That needs to be on there as well. I just I do think there have been times in the past where there's been some confusion um and and not sure if the
superintendent actually did see uh what what was what was asked for how this happened here about a year ago or something like that. kind of took us all by surprise and I just I want to make this was actually before before your uh tenure uh Dr. Roy. So I I just want to
make sure that the superintendent is aware of of every potential uh use that comes through. Um just to make sure if nothing else just to make sure your eyes have seen it uh will make me feel much more comfortable than the way things
have have happened in in under the comp like does that complicate this whole process? >> I mean not necessarily. I mean I think um there should be a sign off by the
building principles to help them be aware of them. The sign off should be by um the school, right? Chris for facilities or figuring the funding >> and then I can do the final one which we we do that many other ones like field trips in a sense of that last way. It is
a way it is a way for me to be aware of these things or that that second office. So Chris, are you recommending a third line that says superintendent? So it's principal central office and then superintendent. >> Yeah. So specifically I I you
specifically say principal facilities and and then the superintendent that that would each concern just a a I guess a question on the number of how many roughly how many
submissions do we receive in a year? >> Yeah, roughly my concern. >> I just don't want the superintendent to go in our office and there's 100 of this she has to Okay. We're we're also trying to find out who we can digitize this as
well. So which small that's going to be working on that waiting to see what we >> So that would also be very helpful. >> So that was the basis of my commenting like is that going to disrupt the process and make it take longer if we
add another layer to it? Just >> I know that when we were just in this meeting and went over this um this did say that almost 100% of these now do come to her via email. So I think that eases my mind
a little bit in terms of you know if it comes to her and she's emailing it to say because it's a you know it's a high school thing and M approves it and then it gets forward then you know I think that >> you know I don't printing you I think
there's a lot of printing paper and actually signing as long as it's approved. >> Exactly. I mean I I certainly don't want to bring in any archaic processes or wet signatures or anything like that. I just I feel comfortable if the superintendent is going to be aware of everything that
comes >> through. I'm in support of that as well. Are there any other questions? >> I just make a comment um because I was on the subcommittee and work with Jay and you know the facilities on this. Um, I appreciate the thought that went into
kind of the research and figuring this out. Um, I know you guys probably can't see this yet, but you can when the documents are released, but basically we got rid of the seasoned like flat rates because we felt like the district deserves
potentially like more funds being generated from it. So, it's just a straight hourly rate. you know, we'll still work with our Westport based groups and teams and organizations and that kind of thing, but if it's an outside entity that wants to rent it, we're not going to do those like season flat rates anymore because they can rent
it for 10 hours for 1,500 bucks and make we're not what we're trying to do is generate additional funds so we can get bad cages fixed or bad cages outside or stuff like that. That's the hope with kind of getting rid of it, maybe potentially generating additional revenue for the district that we can put
some funding back into our sports and the needs that are there because I know there's a lot of dollars that need to be put into these things and we don't always get it. So, >> I also just thank you to I mean you been
here for a while today on the >> easy it [clears throat] was it was presented to us. All we had to do was talk through some of these things. So, Um, if I'm hearing nothing further, um,
is there a motion to approve the, uh, new use of facilities application with the amendment to add a third signature on the superintendent? >> Second. >> Okay. Motion made second to approve the
use of facilities application as amended. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> chance. Okay. Thank you. Moving to item E. Acknowledgement of Westport Education Foundation grant. Uh $5,000 for Westport
Education Foundation. Um not sure if this is the same $5,000. Two. Okay. Two. Uh and a $5,000. It says on our donation from Senator Michael Rogers. was a an earmark that was secured in the in the recent budget that
was passed and was presented by Senator Rogers. So, we want to thank him for presenting that and supporting our our district and the UF uh and the South Coast Community Foundation WHS CAD project. Uh is there a motion to
acknowledge the uh grants? >> Second. >> Motion made second to acknowledge the grants. Is there any further discussion? >> Just thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. All in favor? I >> unanimous. Uh the grants are acknowledged with thanks.
>> All right. Item for review and act on school committee meeting minutes for Monday, July 13th, 2026. It's the pleasure of the committee. >> Is there a second? Okay. All right. All in favor? Ian.
Okay. All right. Routine matters, correspondences, and notices. I have non discussion of future agenda items. I have two items. Um, one or actually one item, sorry. Uh, career pathways, uh, coordinator update. So, whenever the new
staff member gets, you know, settled, it doesn't have to be September, October, November, whenever it does, but I think it'd be good for the committee to hear. So, thank you. Anything else from the committee? All right. Uh topics the chair cannot reasonably anticipate 48 hours in advance. I have none there either. With
that being said, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So second >> motion been seconded. All in favor? >> All right. The meeting is adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Thank you. Thank you.