Jennifer Francisco

The agenda for the regular meeting includes several key actions and reports. Topics for discussion and potential votes are the approval of bills and payroll, approval of minutes from the February 9, 2026, Regular Session and February 23, 2026, Virtual Meeting. Correspondence items include the BMS Newsletter, BCS Newsletter, and TFM Special Education Hearing. Reports scheduled are Principals' Reports on School Activities, an update from the Curriculum Acceleration Team (CAT), March Enrollment figures, updates from the Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee and the School Building Committee, and the FY27 Budget Presentation. Unfinished business concerns the draft SY 2026-2027 School Calendar, and New Business includes a vote on the School Choice SY26-27 Presentation. The meeting will also address Superintendent Personnel items including appointments, transfers, resignations, and retirements.

The District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP) ensures efforts are made to support students within the general education setting, outlining procedures, programs, and resources available without requiring a 504 Plan or IEP. It focuses on responding to diverse learning styles, providing accommodations, outlining services and supports, addressing student behavior and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) needs, fostering accessibility and independence, encouraging parental involvement and teacher collaboration, and supporting educators through professional development. The plan includes Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), Universal Design for Learning, counseling services, curriculum leadership, data teams, English Learner Program, gross motor and occupational therapy clinics, preschool programming, reading clinic, special education services, and student and teacher support teams.

The meeting covered various topics including the approval of bills and payrolls; student representative introductions and reports; correspondence review; superintendent announcements, including a visit from Senator Dooner and the distribution of school report cards; principal reports; curriculum acceleration team updates; enrollment numbers; Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee updates; school building committee updates; FY26 budget planning; school calendar draft review for the 2025-2026 school year; school choice numbers for the 2025-2026 school year; superintendent personnel report, including appointments, transfers, and resignations; and finally, adjournment.

The meeting covered student representative reports, including details on Big Buddy Days, a blood drive, and upcoming fundraisers. Principal reports highlighted report card distribution, school banking programs, holiday events, and the PBIS program. The superintendent announced an SBEF grant for the drama club and a donation for a DC field trip. Several grants were approved, including one for students' social-emotional behavioral and mental health and wellness. Donations for cross-country were accepted, and contractual language for special license providers was added to the CBA. The bus contract was awarded, and the BMS program of studies was tabled. The EL handbook and job descriptions were approved. Finally, an appointment and various updates were given regarding the Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee, School Building Committee, SEL presentation, and FY26 budget planning.

The meeting covered student representative reports highlighting various school activities, including community service projects, field trips, and upcoming events like a food drive and holiday celebrations. Superintendent announcements included updates on school safety, successful special town meetings for a new community school, and SBEF grant awards. Principal reports detailed activities at Berkley Community School, such as book fairs, fundraisers, and professional development initiatives. The committee also addressed policy manual adoption, non-union personnel benefits, line-item transfers, and parent-teacher conference date considerations.