School Committee Meeting Summary
April 28, 2022
School Choice Vote
RECOGNITION
Sophomore Dylan Bent, a member of the Walpole High School's track and cross-country teams, realized that his used running sneakers could be put to good use. He put his thoughts into action by organizing a community-wide shoe drive for @Soles4Souls.
Dillon collected over 1600 pairs of shoes that will be donated to people living in impoverished countries. He stated that this shoe drive has shown him how fortunate he is to have the things many of us take for granted, such as shoes. He would like to thank both Walpole High School and the Norwood Senior Center for letting him set up drop-off boxes. He is humbled by the community's generosity and the impact it will have on so many lives. Dillion plans to participate in this charity drive again next year, so please hang onto your shoes!
Walpole High School Student Report
Joy M., Walpole High School student representative to the School Committee, gave a report as follows:
- After a restful and fun April vacation, there are many student activities planned for the last few weeks of school.
- Sports are in full swing. Best of luck to them and congratulations to the past teams’ recent victories.
- The Junior/Senior Prom is being held on Saturday, May 14th.
- A Freshman Semi-Formal is being held on Friday, June 10th.
- Yesterday, the seniors enjoyed a hypnotist event at Walpole High School.
- AP exams are approaching, and many students are preparing in order to be sure that they do their best.
- The National Honor Society held a bake sale and sold pins to support Ukrainian refugees. Collectively they raised $1,600 dollars which was equally donated to both Sunflower of Peach and Rememberus.org.
- The Film Festive is being held on May 3rd with the Red Carpet on May 12th. The featured films are directed and created by students and teachers at Walpole High. A tremendous amount of work has been done to create these films over the last few months, and we wish them all good luck.
New Business
Health Curriculum Update - Mr. David Wall provided the School Committee with a Health Curriculum update. This presentation can be viewed here at time marker 16:30.
FY '23 Budget - The School Committee voted to approve the recommended FY '23 budget in the amount of $51,394,654.
Annual Appointments - The School Committee voted to appoint Dr. Gough to the Bi-County Collaborative (BICO) Board of Directors and to appoint Mrs. Gallivan to The Education Cooperative (TEC) Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 School Year.
Superintendent Evaluation - The School Committee is entering into the formative and summative evaluation process of the Superintendent. Guidelines and a timeline were provided to the School Committee.
Superintendent Report
Dr. Gough provided a COVID update. The most recent COVID-19 data for Walpole shows 6.8% positivity rate. There were 32 positive cases reported for the period 4/10-4/16. There was no reporting over April break. The next update will be this weekend. Cases are updated every weekend and can be found on the WPS COVID Data Dashboard, which also includes the Massachusetts Weekly Public Health Report.
The Leadership Council is busy with end of the year transitions and events. Summer program planning has also begun. May MCAS focuses on math and science, technology, and engineering (STE). WHS AP exams will be held the first two weeks of May. Senior students and families received the senior packet, which includes a calendar of all senior activities.
Save the Date: The District Art Show is back at the Walpole Public Library. Opening night will be held on May 11th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Artwork will continue to be displayed throughout the month of May.
Walpole Public Schools has started the equity audit process with our partner, Mass Insight Education & Research. Throughout this process, Mass Insight will gather and analyze data and evidence around the ways in which students, families, community members, and staff experience the district’s core values and equity efforts. The audit identifies opportunities to expand equitable access to an excellent education and foster an inclusive and welcoming community. Surveys will be distributed to all families, community partners, school and district staff and leaders, and students. Mass Insight is also planning to hold focus groups for students, family groups, school and district staff and leaders, and partners. Throughout this process, everyone’s participation is critical to understanding the ways our district can continue to create a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning and work environment for each member of our community.
Upcoming events: On Saturday (5/1), WPS will take part in the MPDE (Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education) Recruitment Fair (held at Milton High School). Tomorrow morning (4/29), Dr. Gough will be meeting with WHS TV production students. Next week, Dr. Gough has scheduled visits at Daniel Feeney Preschool, Old Post Road, Boyden, and Bird Middle Schools. In terms of evening events, the Film Festival is Tuesday (5/3), followed by the Middle School Building Project Community Forum Wednesday (5/4) evening (7:00 p.m.), and Title I Family Night on Thursday (5/6) @ 6:00 (Boyden). Town Meeting will be held next Saturday morning (5/7 @ 10:00 a.m.).
MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY FORUM
The Walpole Master Plan Committee is hosting a second Community Forum on May 1st. This Forum will be held remotely. Advance Registration is required and can be done using the QR code below or go to www.walpole-ma.gov/master-plan-2022. The Forum will discuss goals for Walpole’s new Master Plan. Please consider participating in this Community Forum. The Committee would like community input regarding:
- Most important issues
- What Walpole can do to ensure a vibrant, prosperous future
- Challenges and opportunities for sustainability, preservation, and adapting to the economic and environmental changes happening around us
- How Walpole can do the best possible job of balancing conservation and development
Middle School Building Project
Mr. Breen reported that a virtual Community Forum is being held next Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00 p.m. The public is strongly encouraged to participate in this Forum to be able to ask questions and learn about, among other things, the design schedule and the summer 2022 expected construction activity. To find out more information please visit the Middle School Project webpage here. Any questions or comments can be sent via email to the Middle School Project at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Walpole Public Schools
Website: www.walpole.k12.ma.us
Location: 135 School Street, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: 508-660-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walpolepublicschools/
Twitter: @PublicWalpole