Waltham Public Schools

The meeting encompassed an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategies with various employee groups, including WSSA, WSAA, MIS technicians, food service workers, and construction staff, as well as litigation and non-union personnel contracts. The workshop session focused on Superintendent metrics. The regular meeting included public, student, and organizational input, consideration of personnel matters such as resignations and staff updates, and the acceptance of donations. Key agenda items featured an out-of-state travel request, curriculum and instructional manual approvals, ongoing discussions regarding anti-racism initiatives, the dual language school model, CTE programs, and high school scheduling. Additionally, the committee addressed the superintendent's evaluation, the fiscal year 2027 education budget, and outstanding bills.

The agenda includes executive sessions to conduct strategy and negotiations regarding collective bargaining with multiple school employee groups and nonunion personnel, as well as a discussion regarding pending litigation. The regular meeting agenda covers student, school council, and PTO input, communications regarding civic projects and out-of-district requests, and updates from the Superintendent. Unfinished business items include discussions on anti-racism and equity, the dual language school model, career and technical education, school scheduling, and the renaming of an elementary school. The committee will also address conditions of assistance, fiscal matters including bills on warrant, and agenda items for future meetings.

The meeting featured a public hearing regarding the potential renaming of Northeast Elementary School to honor former Superintendent John J. Daddona, where community members expressed both support and opposition. The Committee discussed various operational updates, including staff retirements and resignations, donations to the high school, and a presentation on the Waltham Family School program. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the review of the FY '27 Operating Budget, which involved discussions on staffing changes, student enrollment, classroom allocations at Stanley Elementary, and ESL staffing at Waltham High. The Committee also addressed the principal search process for Waltham High School and finalized budget approvals.

The agenda includes an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategies with WSSA, WSAA, MIS technicians, food service staff, and the construction union, as well as mandatory special education cost increases. The regular meeting covers student and community inputs, communications regarding the National Honor Society and special education needs assessments, superintendent updates, and discussions on curriculum and instruction. Ongoing issues involve anti-racism, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the dual language school model and facility reuse, technical education programs, high school scheduling, Valor school development, and the renaming of the Northeast elementary school. Additional items include voting on special education cost increases and the processing of fiscal accounts and outstanding bills.

The agenda includes an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategies with multiple employee unions, including the WSSA, WSAA, MIS Technicians, Food Service Workers, and Building Trades. A public hearing is scheduled regarding the renaming of Northeast Elementary School. The regular meeting agenda covers student, school council, and PTO input, along with personnel items such as retirements, resignations, and staff changes related to SEI and ESL. The committee will receive updates on the district enrollment, the Waltham Family School, and the Superintendent's report. Key unfinished business items include the Waltham High School project, diversity and inclusion initiatives, the dual language school model, the career and technical education department, and the high school schedule. Fiscal matters involve an update and vote on the FY '27 operating budget and a review of bills on warrant.