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At the October 5 School Committee meeting there was a discussion of facilities planning and an update was provided by school health staff regarding testing and contact tracing. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Updates The school holiday on Monday is now known as Indigenous Peoples Day, thanks to advocacy by students last year. Connie Barr commended the district for its continued work to recruit and retain diverse staff. Michael Greis shared that the PPBC has expressed support for the SC's recommended plan for Emery Grover. Superintendent’s Comments Dr. Gutekanst addressed the misbehavior of students (predominantly middle school) on school grounds, including egg throwing and broken bottles on Memorial Field. The behavior has been addressed by staff and other adults, but Dr. Gutekanst also asked parents to talk to their kids about behavior expectations outside of school. Congratulations to three National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists: Samuel Billante, Benjamin Lee, and Drew Winkler The Special Olympics recognized NHS as a 2021 Unified Champion school. Facilities Update — School Master Plan Jason Boone from Dore + Whittier Architecture provided an overview of the School Master Plan Extension Study, to be completed by the end of 2021. The School Committee had previously approved a plan that would renovate Pollard to accommodate grades 6-8, build a new 3-section Mitchell, and convert High Rock into a sixth 3-section elementary school. But the cost of the project over the next five years exceeds the Town’s debt plan limitations. The revised study will look at ways to decrease the short-term cost by reducing the scope and/or lengthening the time frame. There will be four key explorations of the study as requested by the Finance Committee: A variation to the preferred plan, with a detached 6th grade building at Pollard site Better understanding the impact of COVID on future enrollment Variations to the proposed "Status Quo" Scenario, which keeps all students in current buildings through building projects at High Rock, Pollard, and Mitchell Explore a different "Status Quo" scenario, which also keeps students where they are but may entail an addition at Eliot and a smaller addition at Pollard At the Pollard site, creating a detached 6th-grade center would allow the full Pollard renovation to be phased over a longer period of time — upgrades to the existing building could be completed after the 6th grade center is finished, instead of concurrently as would be required if the 6th grade center is added to the existing building. A key component of the study is to look at how the pandemic has impacted enrollment projections throughout the district. New data from the 2020 census will be used, but the demographer has expressed concerns about both the accuracy of that data and expected delays in the release of it. The federal data will be supplemented by data provided by the town. Some schematics included in the packet led to questions about the design of the Pollard site, and community concerns about loss of green space. It was stressed that these are not final designs, merely sketches to see if it is possible to fit a 6th grade center on the site. As with other school building projects, there will be a lengthy design process, multiple options will be presented, and the public will have opportunities to provide input. Facilities Update — Emery Grover Dr. Gutekanst provided an update on the Emery Grover project. At the upcoming Special Town Meeting, there will be a warrant article seeking design funds for a historic renovation of Emery Grover. Based on the 2020 Feasibility Study, the School Committee had voted to move forward with a renovation and addition to the Emery Grover building. In response to questions and concerns regarding the cost of the project, several alternative solutions have been explored: Leasing space: The current cost of leasing would be $900,000 per year, plus an initial cost of about $2 million to for out the space. But there has been no response to requests for leasing info from local landlords. Selling Emery-Grover for a profit: The market value of the building had been estimated at $3.6 million dollar in 2020, but now local realtors say it is closer to $2.1 million due to site constraints. Building at Hillside: There are serious concerns about the unknown cost of remediation of soil contamination The design has now been revised to stay within the footprint of the current building, reducing the estimated cost to about $21 million (which includes both the design cost and preparing swing space at Hillside). The smaller building will not include space for the IT department, which would remain in its current locations as Broadmeadow and Hillside schools. In addition to being the most cost-effective, this option would also be eligible for CPA funds, estimated around $6 million. If funding is not approved on 10/25 then Dr. Guteknast will request $2 million for temporary relocation of school operations until a new space can be found. Continued use of Emery Grover in its current state is not possible. Dr. Gutekanst and School Committee members voiced their strong support for the project, stating that, after many years of study, it remains the most affordable, efficient, and overall best solution for staff, families, and the community at large. Update on Schools and Learning Dr. Gutekanst provided an update on health and safety in Needham Schools: On 9/16, 50 random rooms were tested for ventilation. Two were found to not meet standards but have now been fixed. The COVID 19 Dashboard provides data on student and staff infections There is over 90% compliance on daily health attestations The Commissioner may lift the mask requirement November 1st. But Needham's Joint Committee on Health and Safety will review additional data before lifting the mask requirement in Needham Schools, and they will not pursue the option of lifting the mandate mid-October for schools with 80% vaccination rates. Test and stay program is functioning and meeting the goal of keeping healthy students in schools. Making this school year work is complicated for nurses and principals. Susannah Hann, Interim Director of Health Services, Patricia Flueckiger, District Nurse, and Lisa Austin, Needham High School Nurse shared their perspective on health and safety measures this year. The more complicated contact tracing and quarantine rules have made the job even more challenging this year. Contact tracing at the High School in particular can be extremely time consuming, and more staff is being hired to help with both testing and contact tracing. 2021-2022 Superintendent’s Goals Dr. Gutekanst provided a draft of his annual goals to the School Committee for their feedback. The vote to approve will take place at the next meeting. Action Item The School Committee voted unanimously to waive current school policy in order to allow student sponsorships in the Hometown Weekly Newspaper. This would allow fine and performing arts, as well as other student activities such as robotics teams, to be highlighted in the Hometown Weekly as athletics already are. School Committee Comments The community is encouraged to visit resources provided by the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham (SPAN). The Student Advisory Committee will present at the next School Committee meeting. Community members are encouraged to send questions and comments to the school committee: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us There is a School Committee Open House on Saturday, October 16, 9-10:30am outdoors at the High School The next School Committee meeting is October 19 at 6:30pm.

The September 21 School Committee meeting included an update on the Opening of Schools and the Test and Stay Program, a Human Resources Update, and a discussion of future School Capital Requests, including Emery Grover and the School Master Plan for Mitchell/Pollard. Download packet > Watch Meeting > Update on Schools and Learning Dr. Gutekanst gave an update on school opening, health, and safety. The district continues to be committed to the health and safety of students and staff, while also focusing on students’ learning and social/emotional needs. Update on COVID testing: Options from the state include Test and Stay, Symptomatic testing, and COVID safety checks; Needham has chosen to only participate in Test and Stay at this time. If a student is identified as a close contact and is involved in the Test and Stay protocol, students may participate in school as long as they test negative and are asymptomatic, but they are not allowed to participate in out of school activities such as playdates, youth sports, and religious education. Families must opt in to participate. Information about Test and Stay and the consent form can be found on the District home page under the COVID Health and Safety section. Currently 52% of families have consented to participate, and the district encourages more families to consent. 95% of families are doing daily health checks and submitting the attestation form. Dr. Gutekanst and Tim McDonald, Director of Public Health, will attend the Select Board meeting next week (9/28) to update them regarding Health and Safety in the schools. Human Resources Updates Dr. Montes McNeil presented an update on Human Resources and staffing within the district. The district is specifically trying to recruit diverse and qualified staff members. The district has 421.4 Total Teacher FTEs, 98.8% of Teachers are Proficient, there is an 88.8% Teacher retention rate, and 29 teachers attained Professional Teacher status this year. BIPOC staff has increased in the district; in 2017, 53.6 of the district wide FTEs were filled by people of color, in 2021 that number has increased to 73.1 FTEs. The district is trying to ensure that BIPOC staff is represented at all levels, including within the administration. Within the last year the district has been able to hire significantly more BIPOC staff; some were teaching assistants that have moved up to become teachers, some are from other districts, and some are completely new to schools. The district has implemented several recruitment strategies to target more diverse staff, including participating in virtual recruitment fairs and the MA Partnership for Diversity Education. The district is still looking to fill Teaching Assistant positions and is actively seeking qualified applicants. A successful virtual orientation was provided to all new staff this year. The district is working in several areas to promote staff retention and employee satisfaction. Stronger Together was started last year as a collaboration between the Needham Public Schools and the Town of Needham, to address BIPOC staff needs and create a safe space for discussion. A mentor program is available for teachers and staff, and HR provides many other support systems. The district has made many enhancements to the HR system through PowerSchool including updated records system, professional learning, and an online evaluation system. Wellness in the Workplace is a priority of the HR department. They are working with the Director of Health Services regarding staff COVID concerns, coordinating health and dental benefits, implementing staff support systems, FMLA leaves, and wellness programs. In addition, a monthly newsletter is sent to all staff providing them with information regarding support systems. FY23-27 School Capital Requests Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operation Anne Gulati provided a brief overview of the Capital Improvement Requests that will be presented to the Town Manager as part of the budget planning process. The district will provide both 1-year (FY23) and 5-year capital requests, which are divided into the broad categories of Technology & Equipment and Facilities. For FY23, the budget request is $27.4M total; for cumulative FY23-27 the budget request is $289M total, which includes the Emery Grover renovation and the revised School Master Plan for Pollard and Mitchell. Technology & Equipment Technology request covers school hardware, changing desktops to laptops, adding classroom soundfield systems, and funding shifted to replace computers and specialized labs. Vehicle replacement requests replace school vans and buses; this is a status quo request. Copier replacement and furniture replacement costs are status quo requests. Facilities: Emery Grover Renovation $19.4M additional is requested for the renovation of the Emory Grover School Administration Building, which would provide additional office, meeting and storage space, extensive repairs and renovation to the existing building. The scope of the project has been reduced by ⅓ to fit the building within the existing structure, maximizing shared office space and common work spaces. This reduces the overall project cost from an estimated $27.2M to $21M. If Special Town Meeting does not support this project, there is no immediate alternative to address safety concerns in the building such as sprinklers, ventilation systems, and handicapped inaccessibility. There is a placeholder request for $2.6M to fit out leased office space in the event that the project is not supported by Town Meeting, which would allow the school administration to leave the existing building. The town is also looking to get updated information on what it would cost to convert space at Hillside for administration offices and to tear down and rebuild at Emery Grover. Facilities: School Master Plan Projects In 2019, the School Committee commissioned a School Master Plan which studied all school facilities and identified pressing needs at High Rock, Pollard, and Mitchell schools. In 2020 the School Committee voted on a proposed plan to meet those needs which would renovate and expand Pollard to house grades 6-8, turn High Rock into a 6th elementary school, and build a new three-section school at Mitchell. But the estimated cost of $252M for this scenario exceeds the Town's debt financing capacity, so over the summer the School Committee requested additional funds to study options that might fit within the town's financing constraints. The study is about to begin, and the report is expected by December 2021. The proposed budget needs to be presented to the Town Manager prior to the completion of the new study, which is why the Administration is presenting the School Committee with the current projected costs based on the information available. Once the study is completed, the request can be revised within the current budgeting schedule leading up to Town Meeting in May. Dr. Gutekanst acknowledged that it is a very large request. For both Emery Grover and School Master Plan, they continue to look at options and alternatives for cost savings. The School Administration hopes to have more informed Capital Plans in December after the latest studies are completed. Michael Greis commented that delaying projects leads to cost escalations, plus interest rates are very low right now. He also pointed out that renovating/reusing older buildings is more energy efficient than new construction. Aaron Pressman expressed reservations about presenting this preliminary — and unrealistic — request to the other Town boards, even if the intention is to revise it prior to the final budget request. The School Committee will vote on the request at their next meeting. Action Item The School Committee voted unanimously to approve the creation of the ACCEPT Education Collaborative Capital Reserve Fund with a balance limit of $1M, with the purpose of supporting costs associated with the acquisition, maintenance, and/or improvement of assets in the district. The School Committee will meet next on October 5 at 6:30pm.

At the 9/14 SC meeting, a transportation update was a provided, along with a report on the opening of school which focused on health and safety protocols and the new Test & Stay program. After the meeting adjourned, Dr. Gutekanst and the School Committee attended the Select Board meeting to present information and answer questions about the renovation of Emery Grover for school administration. download packet > watch meeting > Public Comments A parent raised an issue regarding students that come from two-home families registering for bus service to each home. Currently families must pay for a seat on each bus. She asked that the School Committee consider revising the policy to better accommodate these families. SC comments Sub committee assignments have been made and the full list will be posted on the NPS website. School liaison assignments are as follows: - Broadmeadow: Liz Lee - Eliot: Andrea Longo Carter - Newman: Matt Spengler - Sunita Williams: Mike O'Brien - Mitchell: Connie Barr - High Rock/Pollard: Connie Barr - Needham High School: Michael Greis - Minuteman: Aaron Pressman The Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC) has approved the request for additional study of Mitchell building options Transportation Update Director of Transportation Shane Marchand presented an update on transportation within the district. SC also requested a breakdown of ridership as percentage of total students, which is included in the meeting packet. Some highlights: Ridership on buses is almost up to pre-pandemic levels, although there is currently no waiting list. Typically there are 15-40 families awaiting seats at this time of year. There have been a few issues with some buses running late at the start of the year, but they have mostly been resolved by reworking bus routes slightly. Boston buses are running well (provided by Localmotion) and have two monitors on elementary buses. Out of District vans (from Vanpool) are also running well. Six vans to transport special education students are running, and they are looking for one more driver. Drivers are difficult to find right now. The district is covering routes, but do not have back-ups. My SchoolBucks for online registration was significantly smoother than last year's rollout. 95% registrations online, while the remming 5% come into the building to register in person. There was an annual back-to-school meeting for all drivers where they reviewed the handbook and COVID safety protocols for cleaning, ventilation, etc. Noted by Mr Marchand: Some models of buses have a flange that makes it look like windows are not open, but they in fact are. In-person bus evacuation drills will take place in October. This information was provided to students in a slide show last year. Additional information was provided int esponse to SC member questions: The middle school late bus, which was introduced two years ago, stopped running last year due to COVID. That additional bus is now being used to help transport Eliot students. Although ridership is down slightly, it does not provide enough flexibility to reallocate a bus for the late bus. Reinstating the late bus will require adding another bus. Needham is able to retain drivers very well, but has difficulty replacing drivers who retire or move away. Construction projects and general congestion have impacted some bus routes, but drivers are navigating as well as they can. Sometimes the limiting factor for bus capacity is not the total number of seats, but how many children can be dropped off within the available timeframe. Buses that cover more distance or more a congested area may transport fewer students The handling of two-home students follows current transportation policy, which would need to be revised to help accommodate these families. But there are some cases where there is simply not a bus available — for example, if one parent of Sunita Williams student lives in Eliot or Broadmeadow district. Because most buses are close to capacity, a seat needs to be allocated for each rider to ensure there is space on a given bus. The district also needs to know which bus a child is riding on a given day to ensure their safety. In light of the proposed renovation of Emery Grover, Mr. Marchand provided some information about how he and the Transportation Department use the building. The conference room is able accommodate a gathering of all drivers from the various bus companies. These 3-4 meetings each year are credited with helping team-building and driver retention. SPED Van drivers check in each morning to review any changes to their routes. The central location allows those who are not able to register online to come in for personal help with registration, as well as for families of SPED students to coordinate with both Special Education and Transportation directors. Drivers can use the bathroom in the building — the only one they may have access to during their work day. Dr. Gutekanst proposed sending a survey to families this fall about transportation and other services to help assess budget priorities. It should be provided both electronically and by paper to reach as many families as possible. Opening of School Update Dr. Gutekanst provided an update on the recent start of the school year. With regard to teaching and learning, staff have been focused on welcoming students back to the schools and getting to know them. But the majority of his presentation focused on health and safety measures: Health and safety continue to be a priority as the district works towards reducing — not eliminating — risk of infection in schools. Decisions regarding changes to protocols will be made based on local and state health data and in compliance with public health guidance and mandates. The Covid Dashboard is available to keep families informed of infections in schools. Updates from the Joint Health and Safety Committee are available online. The most recent update was on September 10. Additional information regarding both surveillance testing and the Test & Stay program was provided: A letter was sent to families including a consent form provided CIC, the contractor handling Needham's testing. As of the meeting there was a consent rate of 99% — though that number was met with a little surprise considering it was 42% about 36 hours prior. On a given day, the health attestation form is completed by 96% of students 88% of staff. (The staff number is lower because many part-time staff do not work each day and therefore do not fill out the form) The rules for quarantine for in-school exposures vary depending on both vaccination status and where the close contact occurred. Vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic can return to class and activities without testing. Eligible students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. At this time, Needham is only participating in the Test & Stay program, which will allow asymptomatic close contacts to be tested in school for 5-7 days. If the test is negative, the student can stay at school and participate in school activities, but they are NOT allowed to participate in out-of-school activities until quarantine period ends. DESE and the state have prioritized students being in school, so there are different rules for inside schools. A helpful perspective is to think of Test & Stay as allowing students to still attend school instead of having to remain home to quarantine. Because Test & Stay is a brand new program from the state, there have been and will be some hiccups and inconsistencies. Needham is still waiting for some staffing and supplies to be provided by the state but has been able to start the program with current resources as of 9/14. Most communities started Test & Stay this week because resources from the state were not available earlier. At this time the Joint Committee does not recommend participating in surveillance testing. Given the high vaccination rates and low positivity rates in Needham, surveillance testing is 4- to 5-times more likely to return a false positive than a true positive result. Many comparable communities who used surveillance testing last year have decided to not continue with it. If the data changes, it might make sense to implement surveillance testing, especially for K-6 students who are not eligible for vaccination. Very few schools are testing vaccinated students. Contact tracing is laborious, and the school will err on the side of caution until tracing can be completed. Students may be asked to stay home until they are cleared to return to school. Dr. Gutekanst also mentioned that families should have received a copy of the 2021 Performance Report in the mail, but the online version also features links to supporting documents and additional information. Action items Approve FY23 Budget Guidelines - approved 7-0-0 Approve Needham Montessorri Lower Elementary School - approved 7-0-0 The meeting was adjourned, and then Dr. Gutekanst and SC members attended the Select Board meeting to present information regarding the warrant article to approve design funds for the renovation of Emery Grover at the upcoming Special Town Meeting. The School Committee will meet next on September 21 at 6:30pm.

The August 26 School Committee meeting included discussion of construction on the school administration building (Emery Grover). the School Master Plan, and an update on the opening of schools. Download packet > Watch meeting > Public Comments There were no public comments, but School Committee Chair Connie Barr stated that several parents (and a grandparent) have expressed concerns in emails regarding unmasked lunches for younger (unvaccinated) students. Proactive measures to address these issues were outlined later in the meeting. Superintendent's Comments The superintendent shared comments on the preparations for the new school year. The Town, which retains responsibility for the physical school buildings, has performed maintenance and upgrades over the summer, including the refurbishment of gyms at Pollard and creating handicapped-accessible bathrooms at Pollard and Mitchell. Bus ridership is down, and there is no wait list for bus. This will have a financial impact on the budget, Enrollment is down slightly; about 220 fewer kids than 2019. Official counts will be taken as of October 1st. New enrollment projections will be developed with new census data. Consent Agenda The consent agenda included approval of an auction of iPad devices and AV components. The iPads are five years old or more, and can’t be used in a school environment because they do not run updated operating systems. Under law, the district is required to auction surplus items. Under policy, the district asks the school committee for approval to place them up for auction. Two years worth of iPads are being disposed of, and they need significant refurbishment. No charity has been identified as having interest, which is the other option for disposal. Draft Budget Guidelines Budget guidelines for the development of the FY23 budget were approved, including a proposed outline of dates in order to be ready for Town Meeting vote. The guidelines also reflect School Committee priorities: address learning gaps, equity, anti-racist practices. Budget requests need to be tied to the priorities. Facilities Update: School Master Plan The Master Plan was funded in 2019, presented to the community and School Committee in Spring, 2020. At the October 6, 2020 meeting, the School Committee voted for Option D: Tackle Pollard first as a grades 6-8 school and then proceed with Mitchell via MSBA partnership. By doing Pollard first, sixth graders can move over to Pollard — while keeping a school within a school concept — and then Mitchell kids could go to High Rock while Mitchell is rebuilt. If Mitchell were rebuilt first, the district would need to find interim space, which would add expense. Town Boards have discussed the proposal over the summer, and a Facilities Work Group was convened by the Select Board to discuss the many expensive town and school projects that are on the horizon. Members include representatives from the School Committee, the Finance Committee, Community Preservation Committee, Permanent Public Building Committee, and the Select Board. So they have asked Dorn Whittier, the consultant, to extend the study, and take into account some of the financing plans, and propose extensions, enhancements, and timeline changes. Would likely present in the spring, but will be an iterative process. There will be Community engagement, focus groups, and other opportunities for the community to share their input regarding the plans. The committee also had a discussion about the possibility that Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) assistance would not be available for the school building projects. MSBA often reimburses up to 30% of a project, but the town should not depend on receiving this funding fro Pollard or Mitchell — there are a large number of towns competing for the funds, and Needham was a recent recipient for the Sunita Williams School project. Facilities Update: School Administration and Operations Building Plan The superintendent shared historical details regarding renovation of the Emery Grover building. At the May 5, 2020 meeting, the Emery Grover Feasibility Study was was presented. Based on the findings of the study, School Committee voted to move forward with a renovation and addition to Emery Grover. This option would allow for the use of about $6 million of Community Preservation Act funds for the project (with a total projected cost of approximately $28 million). The next step in the process was to request approximately $1.5 million in design funds from Town Meeting in fall of 2020, however the request was withdrawn at that time to allow for further discussion with the town. A year later, the Superintendent is recommending a request for design funds to go to Town Meeting this fall. Dr. Gutekanst gave a presentation on the many uses of Emery Grover, and its dilapidated state, including its ongoing inaccessibility for people with physical challenge (as highlighted in his recent blog post). Significant studies over the years show need, but action to improve the building have been repeatedly deferred and delayed. In response to conversations with the Facilities Working Group, they have engaged the designer to explore ways to reduced scope, including pulling IT out of the building and leaving the department at Hillside, re-envisioning spaces as shared, and continuing to explore lessons learned from the pandemic to see if building usage can be streamlined. But the building is a hub of school operations, and the work of administrators is done collaboratively in-person, so a physical space IS needed, and there is not sufficient appropriate space to be found either in school buildings or other town buildings. The FWG has also asked to get information on the costs to lease space instead. They know it would be expensive, but were encouraged to explore. (It is estimated that in approximately 20 years the cost of leasing space will exceed the cost of the renovation project, which is designed to last 50 or more years.) Dr. Gutekanst expressed concern about some online posts that have been made which are not accurate. For example, some claim that some of our schools may be deteriorating and near point of collapse. While the district knows some buildings need to be updated and renovated, they ARE safe for students and staff. Meanwhile, Dr. Gutekanst stated that the conditions at Emery Grover will require school administration staff to be moved out of the building within 12-18 months. If SC will agree to move forward and TMM can support, the administration would leave Emery Grover and go to Hillside temporarily. If the decision is made to abandon the plan for Emery Grover now in favor of leasing space, there is no turning back. This becomes a permanent decision. School Committee Members asked questions and made statements of support regarding their opinions on the rebuilding of the Emery Grover administration building. Andrea Longo-Carter read an extensive statement of support of the project and addressed and rebutted concerns that have been expressed in public forums, including whether the administration functions need to continue to be in-person, whether the administration can work out of different space, and whether the proposed project costs are too high. Petition to Approve Private School By state law, as the Local Educational Authority (LEA), the school committee must approve any requests for the establishment of a local school. The Needham Montessori School on Highland Ave. is petitioning to expand to an early elementary school, grades 1-3. Curriculum has been reviewed and the superintendent will ask for a vote of support at the next meeting. Opening of School update The Joint Committee on Health and Safety continues to advise on health protocols. The committee includes staff, public health, school physician, SC Chair Dr. Connie Barr, health services director, partners from Harvard School of Public Health. They are also following guidelines from DESE, using a layered approach to minimize risk. Masks are mandated for all students and staff preK-12 except when eating, drinking, during mask breaks, or outside. In October, will look at 7-12 vaccination rates to consider making the middle and high school mask optional. Mask breaks will be outside when possible. Building maintenance is ongoing to keep high ventilation levels up. There will be no visitors until at least Nov. 1 during school day. Classroom will have seating charts. Continued daily health attestation for students and staff. During lunch distancing is not mandated but will be optimized as much as possible. Lunchrooms will have open windows, and seating charts for pre-K-8. In response to concerns about elementary cafeterias specifically, principals have clarified how they will optimize distancing, which will differ by school: Broadmeadow and Eliot will continue to use their performance Center, while Mitchell will have a tent again. Desks and orange buckets may be used again for seating at various schools. The district will do test-and-stay, which will keep kids in school learning as much as possible. Contact tracing for close contacts will result in a rapid test; if it is negative it will allow that student to be able to stay. The district is not pursuing a surveillance testing program due to the data on false positives and considering the high rates of vaccination in our schools. The district is also developing protocols for those in quarantine, especially if asymptomatic. There will be no remote learning option, as it is not authorized by the state, they we are working on how to support students who must quarantine. (also see Open House for Families) Dr. Gutekanst reminded everyone that we are not eliminating the risk of getting COVID in schools. Instead we are reducing risks by being thoughtful, implementing layered approach to risk mitigation, and helping students manage themselves. New adjustments to elementary schedules will be implemented this year. In general, there are larger blocks of time and standardized times for specials, along with consolidation of some instruction. 90 minutes for literacy, 60 min for math. Teaching of same content will happen at the same time across a grade, ensuring are kids are having the same experience. A new block has been created to slow down, reteach, and assess. STEAM curriculum will be integrated into science, art, music, and math, instead of a separate stand-alone class. Chorus will be incorporated into music class for fourth and fifth graders. In addition, class sizes have been reduced in some areas, and math and literacy specialists are preparing to provide support and interventions Action items Purchasing cards: Approved Face coverings policy: Gives the superintendent the authority to change, should circumstances warrant. The policy will be revised so that SC will be notified of any changes. — Approved Warrant article for Emery Grover design funds: Due to Select Board on 9/3. Unanimously approved. The next meeting is 9/14 at 5pm, and then School Committee members will head to the Select Board meeting.

On August 23, Dr. Gutekanst hosted a virtual open house for families to review health and safety information, share updates, and respond to questions regarding the start of the 2021-22 school year. Materials and resources from the meeting are available online: Plan Overview Presentation Fall 2021 Opening Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Zoom meeting recording With a continued commitment to health and safety, the district’s priorities will be: Responding to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic Moving forward with Portrait of A Needham Graduate strategic priorities Building on efforts to ensure equity and inclusion for all students Much of the meeting, as well as parent questions, focused on health and safety measures. The district follows guidance and mandates from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), specifically: Mandatory masks for students and staff through October 1 No distance requirements No remote learning option The school committee will vote on an update to the face covering policy at the 8/26 meeting to reflect the new mask mandate. They are also rely on the guidance of the Joint Health & Safety Committee, which will consider the following metrics, especially when evaluating possible masking policy changes for vaccinated students and staff after 10/1. Positive testing rate locally & statewide 14-day average incident rate Breakthrough infection rate Percent of Needham school-aged cases Completion of Health Attestation by 95% Additional measures will be in place to mitigate risk in classrooms: Continue with ventilation protocols from last year No visitors while school in session until 11/1 School health & safety committees Classroom seating charts Open windows in lunch rooms, assigned seats, no distancing Mask breaks The district’s approach to testing and quarantining will be different than last year. The district has provided updated definitions of close contact, and procedures for: Student identified as symptomatic at school or while at home Fully Vaccinated Student identified as Close Contact Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Student identified as Close Contact There will be a “Test & Stay” option for students who are considered close contacts but are asymptomatic. These students will be given a rapid antigen test daily for seven days, and will be allowed to remain in school as long as the test is negative AND they are asymptomatic. It should be noted that this is ONLY an option for close contacts within school. Outside exposures must still follow rules from the Department of Public Health. Teachers will provide support and learning resources for quarantining students, but remote learning will no longer be available. This is because DESE no longer recognizes remote learning as an alternative to in-person instruction. Dr. Gutekanst then opened the meeting up to questions, which were focused on health and safety concerns. Dr. Gutekanst made the point that the schools are reducing risk, but cannot eliminate it. The importance of having kids in schools outweighs some of these risks. Vaccination rates: Anecdotal information indicates that over 90% of NPS staff are vaccinated. As of now vaccination is not mandated for employees, and any mandate would come from the state, not individual school districts. Needham is above 80% eligible students vaxxed. Source: August 5 COVID Update Surveillance testing: Needham will not be doing surveillance testing at this time because the high rate of vaccination within our population will lead to a significant rate of false positives from PCR tests Exposure and close contacts: Students who are exposed outside of school should contact the school nurse (see flowchart). An outbreak — two students in a classroom or three within a grade — would trigger a set of protocols, including dispatch of mobile testing through DESE. DESE will also determine how a school closure might be handled. Dr. Gutekanst stressed the need for families to make responsible choices to reduce risk of outbreaks, both in participating in outside activities, and testing when returning from travel. Test and Stay: Needham believes, given the specific health data in Needham, that Test and Stay will allow more children to stay in school while maintaining health and safety. School lunches: The 6’ distancing requirement is now gone, but schools will do there bebesrts to optimize spacing between students when eating, and some schools will have tents to allow for outdoor eating and activities. NHS will have open campus for students in grades 10-12. New elementary schedule: PE has been increased, and will be outdoors more often. Kindergarteners will have spanish, and chorus will be incorporated into music in grades 4-5. More details will be provided by elementary principals.

At the July 12 meeting, the School Committee had an update on the FY21 financial projection, and heard about a new policy to provide purchasing cards to certain staff members. Download packet > Summer School Committee meetings are not usually recorded School Committee Comments Aaron Pressman attended the first meeting of the Facility Financing Working Group, which includes members of the School Committee, Select Board, Finance Committee, and town staff. The group is discussing plans for future capital projects throughout the town, including DPW facilities, Emery Grover, Mitchell, and Pollard. Superintendent's Comments An interim Director of Health Services has been hired and will be announced soon. There was discussion of whether the next annual performance report should be provided only online, or also be printed and mailed to residents. There was agreement that it is helpful to have printed copies of the report. School Committee Policy DJH — Purchasing Cards (P-cards) A draft of a proposed new policy was presented (pages 16-20 in the packet) which would provide purchasing cards (P-cards) to certain staff members. The goal of the cards is to make it easier to pay for certain expenses and supplies that are difficult to secure with traditional purchase orders, such as technology and travel. The policy is modeled on one already in place for some town employees. Dr. Gutekanst will decide who receives a card — at most about 50 staff members, most of whom will be principals and managers. The policy will be voted on at the end of the summer, and then training will be provided on how to use the cards. FY21 Preliminary End of Year Financial Projection Assistant Superintendent Anne Gulati presented an overview of the QIII and QIV financial projections. Due to a combination of careful budgeting and higher-than-expected funding through state and federal grants, it is anticipated there will be a surplus balance of approximately $3.5 million at the end of this fiscal year. About $2.5 million will be carried forward to the FY22 budget, while another $1 million will be returned to the Town. The money carried forward, plus additional funding through ESSER II and III and other grants, will allow the district to meet some needs outside of the operating budget, including: $1.5 million for summer and school-year intervention instruction (17.3 FTEs) $1.5 million for Student Support Services (10.9 FTEs and tuition reserves) around $750,000 for COVID testing (which may not in fact be needed) almost $300,000 in subsidies for transportation, preschool, theater, and graphic arts Support for Theater At a previous meeting, concerns were raised about the lack of funding for theatrical productions proposed for the coming year. This was an error, the result of the budget being drafted in November of 2020 and not reflecting the prospect of in-person theater for the coming school year. But a robust discussion regarding overall investment in theater resulted. Dr. Gutekanst, SC Chair Connie Barr, and Fine & Performing Arts Director LeeAnn Sutton met with several parents from Friends of Needham Music, and a committee has been formed which will provide a vision for theater in Needham Schools. First steps for strengthening the program include: hiring a new theater teacher, and increasing the position from .3 to .6 FTE a needs assessment of the three theater venues providing a $30,000 program subsidy to avoid an increase in student fees Transportation While the district provides free transportation to K-6 students who live more than two miles from their school, other families can pay a fee to have their children ride the bus. The cost of transportation for fee-based riders is heavily subsidized, and the budget includes a $415,000 subsidy for the coming year. An issue has been raised to the district regarding children with two households (primarily those with divorced parents) who must pay double to be transported to each home. This is due to the current policy of charging families for the seat on a specific bus, rather than for the service of transporting the child. Dr. Gutekanst recommends reviewing and possibly revising the policy to address this issue, though some research will have to be done as to both the financial and capacity impact this might have. A detailed overview of transportation use and cost is presented by Shane Marchand, Director of Transportation, each fall. Action Items The following action items were approved by a 6-0-0 vote: Approve FY21 Budget Transfers Approve FY22 Revolving Funds Fees Approve Portrait of a Needham Graduate 2021-2022 Action Steps The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for August 24, 1:00pm, in the NHS library. That meeting is open to the public but will NOT be recorded for later viewing.

At the June 1 School Committee meeting, discussion items included a new DEI collaborative initiative with the NEF, the Sunita Williams School Improvement Plan, and the Superintendent's annual evaluation. Watch meeting > Download packet > Public Comments Three people spoke about the lean budget being proposed for performing arts next year as outlined in an information item in the meeting packet. Speakers stressed the need for more equity between the performing arts and sports programs, which receive more funding. Aaron Pressman had also noted this in the packet, and requested more information about the decision making in this area of the budget. School Committee Comments This was the last meeting for student representative Aiden Michelow, who is graduating. School Committee members talked about how positive it has been having Aiden as a member of the school committee. SC will be welcoming a new student representative for next year. Needham Education Foundation DEI Collaborative Initiative Joanna Herrera and Seema Meloni of the NEF joined Mary Lammi to present information on a new collaborative initiative to support racial equity efforts in the district. Unlike NEF grants, collaborative initiatives are large, multi-year investments developed in collaboration with the district. The most recent one focused on interdisciplinary learning from 2014 to 2021. As a first step, a consultant has been hired to look at what has been happening in the schools around racial equity since the 2018 Equity Audit. The information gathered in this first phase will inform next steps. It is the hope that the Portrait of a Needham Graduate will become the vision and direction of this initiative. SC members thanked both the NEF for being a catalyst for educational change and the Needham community for generously supporting the NEF. Efforts will be made to communicate progress to the community. The SC unanimously accepted funds in the amount of $35,000. School Improvement Plan for Sunita Williams Elementary School School principal Michael Kascak was joined by SWES staff members to present highlights from the school improvement plan, including: Equity High School Internship Program Racial Literacy Program in 3rd grade Needham schools received lots of wonderful grants/book donations for all 5 elementary libraries from the Rotary Club, AAPI, and ICON to help diversify library collections. Parents are also able to purchase books from teacher book wish-lists. Many of the books are leveled so they will be put in the hands of kids to read and use. There are questions that were prepared that can be used with the books to help spark conversations with students and staff. Equity Professional Development drop-ins every Wednesday to provide conversations and guidance around teaching equity Campus and school use The outdoor campus is GPS mapped out for community use. Kids are spending a lot of time outside on the campus as well as people from the community. There was some discussion about the new school building and how it's space and technology are being utilized, for example energy and solar panel data can be used for science lessons. Composting project to restart next year (suspended during pandemic) Mr. K also thanked three retiring staff members: Lynn Doran, Ann Lewis, and Barbara Fuller. The full School Improvement Plan can be found in the meeting packet. Update on Student Learning: Dr. Gutekanst provided an update on student learning looking towards the summer and fall, when he anticipates a new year of uninterrupted learning in the Needham Public Schools: Prioritizing health and safety — For the summer, DESE is keeping current safety protocols in place. But in the fall many will be lifted, including distancing requirements. This means all students can return to the cafeterias to eat, and there will be no more tents for additional outdoor space. Ventilation, cleaning, and maintenance of buildings will be scaled back but still prioritized. It is unclear if masks must be worn in the fall. Winding down Remote Learning Academy — 400+ students will be returning to in-person school Focusing on summer learning — Summer programs include: Extended School Year, Summer Bridge, NCE summer explorations, METCO Jumpstart (K-1 students), ELL Newcomer Camp (elementary), Summer Credit Recovery (high school) Provide ongoing learning and SEL interventions for the fall and beyond — Many interventions are being put into place for students at all levels both academically and socially for next year. Next steps (at next SC meeting): Update Portrait of a Needham Graduate Strategic Priorities 21-22 Draft school opening plan (published 6/12) will provide details to families, and an open house will be held on 6/16 to take questions from families Superintendent's Evaluation Andrea Longo Carter presented a narrative review that incorporated feedback from teachers, staff, SC members, and a self-evaluation by Dr. Gutekanst. Following the practice of DESE, the Superintendent's performance is rated annually in five major areas: Instructional Leadership Management and Operations Family and Community Engagement Professional Culture School Committee Relations Overall, Dr. Gutekanst received a rating of "Proficient" (rigorous, expected levels of performance), but was rated on 47% of indicators as "Exemplary" (serves as a model of practice for others within region or statewide). Noted areas of strength included his fiscal management, relationships and school culture, focus on equity work, progress on district goals, and efforts to improve communication with both School Committee and families. But communication was also identified as an area that needed more work, along with advancing school building projects. While many aspects of his handling of the pandemic were praised, some others were identified as areas where he struggled. School Committee member praised his leadership during an incredibly challenging year, and also took some responsibility for areas that need improvement. The full evaluation can be found in the meeting packet. The next School Committee meeting will take place June 15 at 6:30pm.

The May 18 SC meeting included a presentation from SEPAC, NEF Spring Grant Awards, a discussion of K-5 Literacy and Math performance, and updating the face covering policy. Download packet > Watch meeting > Public Comments A few community members made comments regarding mask mandates, expressing concerns about DESE recommendations to loosen mask mandates outdoors. Needham Education Foundation Spring Grant Awards The NEF awarded three spring grants totaling $30,782: The second year of a two-year grant in which educators from High Rock, Pollard, and Needham High School participate in a three-day professional development workshop on Project Based Learning (PBL). Cardio-fitness equipment for Pollard, including two treadmills, two recumbent bikes, two elliptical machines, and two suspension trainers. Sixteen new Finch 2.0 robots that will allow Needham High School students to program and interact with a physical device, giving them the ability to see their coding come to life. More information about the grants can be found on the NEF website. Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) SEPAC Co-Chairs Jenn Scheck-Kahn and Jennifer Kaddy presented an update to the SC. There are over 1000 families of children receiving special education, representing 17.9% of the students. The presentation highlighted SEPACs goals for the year, and progress that has been made in three areas of focus: Expand outreach — Ask who is missing from SEPAC? Stronger ties with groups that represent the intersectionality of SPED and ELL and METCO. Deepen community engagement and strengthen relationships — achieved in part by participating in the superintendent’s meeting with school PTC leaders. Bolster Advocacy Skills by Examining Biases — including forming a White Fragility book club and engaging in a Centered on Equity leadership training SEPAC also recently presented their annuals awards — this year 16 NPS staff members were recognized. More information about the winners can be found on the SEPAC website. Update on Student Learning: Student Performance in Literacy and Math k-5 Lisa Messina, Literacy Coordinator and Kathleen Hubbard, Math Coordinator, joined Assistant Superintendent Terry Duggan to present information about the impact of the hybrid model on student learning, how it compares to historical data, if there are variations among subgroups, and what steps will be taken for next year. Detailed information can be found in the meeting packet. In reading, students in grades 1 and 2 are maintaining increases first seen in winter 2020 of students at or above benchmark. But among older students fewer students are meeting the benchmarks than were a year ago. In math, the rate of growth was higher this year than in previous years. 80-92% of students are performing at or above benchmark, with increases in the number of students at grades 1, 2, and 5. But certain subgroups of students are not seeing the same increases as the overall student population, including Black, Hispanic, Special Education, and ELL students. This is a small enough number of students that they can really target assistance and interventions such as: Summer Bridge program that will include literacy and math Providing small group intervention next fall Aligning with equity goals and neuroscience research Enhanced screening tools and early fall assessments Communicating vertically (grade to grade) so that kids’ stories follow them Action Items NUARI Statement — Needham Select Board requested that all town committees adopt the Vision & Principles of Needham United Against Racism Initiative (NUARI). SC discussed its intersection with the district’s REAL coalition, and voted to adopt. School Choice — per the recommendation of the Superintendent, SC voted NOT to participate due to space and programmatic limitations. ACCEPT Collaborative — Dr. Gutekanst was appointed to the ACCEPT collaborative board of directors for his eleventh year. Policy Update: Face Coverings The Governor has relaxed the mask mandate and has asked DESE to consider relaxing mask mandate for students. The DESE recommendation is that outdoor masks are no longer needed, regardless of the ability to distance. Dr. Gutekanst consulted with the Joint Committee on Health and Safety, Director of Public Health, and administrators. He is requesting to revise face covering policy effective May 20th in two small ways: Mask won’t be required in school-sponsored outdoor activities, while still adhering to any additional criteria for those activities, eg. sports-related criteria that may remain in place. Social distancing will still be observed during these times. After discussion, and minor changes to improve the clarity of the policy changes, the committee voted to approve the changes. Communication to families, teachers and administrators and students will begin as early as Wednesday, May 19th. The next School Committee meeting will be June 1, 2021

The May 4th School Committee meeting included an update from the NHS Advisory to SC, and the presentation of the Eliot School Improvement Plan. Dr. Gutekanst also provided an update on student learning. Download packet > Watch meeting > Public Hearing on School Choice The state requires an annual public discussion to see if the School Committee would allow students from other towns to choose to come to Needham Schools (tuition would be provided by other towns). There were no public comments, and the issue will be voted on next meeting School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Chairwoman Connie Barr thanked the Town Leaders and Town Meeting members for passing the School budget and funding of transportation for foster care children to their schools, as well as passing revolving funds. Michael Greis mentioned the discussion at Town Meeting regarding zoning and planning for Muzi Ford location, and if the development includes housing that may test the limits of school capacity, particularly for the Eliot School. Superintendent Comments Dr. Gutekanst congratulated high school juniors who won awards for National History Day Needham High School Student Advisory to the School Committee Report It wa noted that Aidan Michelow has served as a Student Member of the School Committee for the last two years and will be moving on to college in the fall. Members of the Student Council were present to provide updates 9th Grade: Student council members are creating fundraising events and deciding on items to sell to the freshman, are planning a bingo night for the grade, and are hosting a Covid-safe bake sale on May 7 10th grade: class jogger order forms have been sent out and they’re trying to maximize sales. They are discussing renting a food cart to sell food in the parking lot, and possibly planning a drive-in movie 11th grade: They recently hosted fundraisers in cooperation with local restaurants, and are selling tickets for a harbor cruise 12th grade: They are planning Prom for June 3, which will occur at the high school in several locations in the building. They will have food trucks, a DJ, decorations in the cafeteria, and a red carpet. School-wide: Student Council will be hosting a teacher appreciation breakfast on May 7 as well as delivering student-written appreciation letters to all staff members. Students are excited to get back to a normal schedule. Some things that have occurred this year have been appreciated, such as teachers providing a week-at-a-glance and open-campus for 10th graders, and students hope these will continue next year. Homerooms have started back up, and they’re trying to come up with ways for students to bond and get to know one another. Student council is planning a trivia event (NHQ)-- homerooms will compete to win prizes, hope to have it by June 14th for 9th-11th graders. 9th and 12th were in person fully this week. The transition went smoothly, and teachers are helping so that everyone is at the same point in curriculum. A challenge, especially for 9th graders, is trying to get the cohorts to get to know one another better. Seniors are very happy to be back all together again, and have been having a spirit week this week. Students are feeling less anxious about being back full time given that many students are now vaccinated and teachers are allowing more frequent time outside for mask breaks Eliot Improvement Plan Principal Karen Bourn was joined by Emily Charton (Assistant Principal), and students Abby Taylor (5th grade) and Ethel Nanteza (4th grade) to present highlights from the Eliot School Improvement Plan. The demographics of Eliot have changed in recent years; currently 42% of students are students of color. The school has tried to encourage student council participation to allow students to have a voice in the school and become student leaders. The students have helped develop spirit weeks, and are trying to find ways to make Eliot a fun place to be. The 5th grade students engaged with the administration to change the policy and allow them to have a choice regarding who they sit with at lunch. Looking forward to a new school improvement plan, the school is trying to find ways to give students more voice and choice in the their school, help the students give back to the community, work with families to embrace diversity and the many cultures that are part of the school, as well as how to strengthen math and literacy, and student improve engagement The school population has grown in recent years, and the school is trying to figure out how to accommodate increased numbers and how to best utilize the space. In the future they may need to utilize the art room or the music room to become classroom space. Update on Student Learning 9th and 12th graders were fully back this week, and next week 10th and 11th graders will return fully in person. All students will be back in full on May 17th. The schools are still practicing safety protocols, including social distancing, and likely will into the fall. Covid cases across the town continue to trend down. Many Needham residents have been either partially or fully vaccinated. As of 5/4/21, 336 students at the High School are fully vaccinated. There is the possibility of a vaccination clinic for the high school students in the coming weeks. End of the year celebrations for Seniors are being planned, including Prom on campus, a car parade, and graduation on June 6th on Memorial Field. Planning is continuing for the 2021-2022 school year, guided by the Joint Committee on Health and Safety. The Remote Academy will wind down and will not continue for next school year. With anticipated Emergency Use Approval of vaccines for 12-15 year olds, SC members are brainstorming ways to encourage and facilitate vaccination for younger high school and middle school students, including the possibility of vaccine clinics in the schools. Looking forward, Dr. Gutekanst is thinking of ways to support students who haven’t progressed as much as they would have in a typical school year, i.e. “unfinished learning.” More details will be provided at the SC meeting on 5/18/21. There will be new screening of incoming kindergarteners as well as current kindergarteners who will be entering 1st grade to allow teachers to know where the students stand at the beginning of the year. Superintendent Evaluation Process The annual evaluation of the Superintendent, based on both the DESE standards as well as School Committee bylaws, will be conducted in the upcoming weeks. School Committee members will receive two surveys to fill out and the results will be reviewed by Andrea Longo-Carter and read out at a public meeting in June. Recent outgoing members Heidi Black and Sue Neckes will also participate in the surveys since they were present for most of the school year. Action Item The revised 2021-2022 Elementary, Middle, and High School Handbooks were approved with a 7-0-0 vote. School Committee Comments Matt Spengler thanked the Core Gifting Committee for providing gifts to seniors.

At the April 27th School Committee meeting, newly elected members Liz Lee and Mike O'Brien were welcomed. The Mitchell School Improvement Plan was presented, and proposed changes to the student handbooks were discussed. Download packet > Watch meeting >

School Committee met on April 6th to discuss the school calendar, the superintendent’s contract, the High Rock School Improvement Plan, and an update on student learning. Dr. Gutekanst also introduced Andrew (Andy) Garlick, the incoming Broadmeadow principal. download packet > watch meeting > Proposed Change to School Calendar The committee heard a student proposal to change the name of the holiday on the second Monday in October on the district-wide school calendar to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, instead of Columbus Day. School Committee will vote on the calendar at the next meeting. It is expected that the calendar will include an informational section highlighting the many observances in which families in our community participate. Recognition of Departing SC Members Dr. Gutekanst recognized Heidi Black (12 years) and Susan Neckes (9 years) as they retire from school committee. They have both made invaluable contributions to the Needham Public Schools during their tenures. Action Item: Superintendent's Contract The committee voted unanimously to renew Dr. Gutekanst's contract for three years. They separately voted to award a salary increase of 2.23% and to insert a longevity payment into the contract. Discussion on total compensation relative to his peers and his performance ensued, and his less than ½% increase last year was also noted. (5-1-0 vote) High Rock School Improvement Plan A High Rock student shared a poem that reflected on her experiences during the pandemic. The Equity Committee at High Rock shared their experiences and thoughts about the social and emotional learning that happens at High Rock and how the equity work has improved and developed over the years. They also discussed staff training on Nubia, its erased history, and how these learnings have impacted the science and social studies curriculum. The educators discussed how they are able to bring in representation of other cultures to the studies. Update on Student Learning Dr. Gutekanst gave an update on the return to full in-person learning for all elementary students and laid out the schedule for the rest of the district: Middle school: 4/15 Preschool: 4/28 High School: 5/3 (with a staggered and modified schedule) Sixty-eight remote learning students have returned to full in-person learning. Adjustments include students eating in performance centers, auditoriums and tents, an additional bus to Boston to accommodate more students, and new guidelines for transportation (two children per seat). While the state has changed its travel restriction to an advisory, the guidelines remain a requirement for Needham public schools. The district has sent an email to all families with the travel requirement information. End-of-year events are being planned: there will be student-only events fro 5th and 8th grade graduations, but for high school they expect to allow a few guests for each student. There is also talk of a prom; all are being discussed with Department of Public Health and the school physician. Plans for summer programs are in place: ESY will run for 300 kids, Summer Bridge program will continue, boosting reading and math for all identified students, and Needham Community Ed Summer Explorations is happening. There will also be a credit recovery program for high school programs. In closing, Dan recognized the help of the community in obtaining 400 appointments for staff to receive their Covid-19 vaccination.

At the 3/16 SC meeting, Dr. Guteklanst presented a timeline for returning student sin grades 3-12 to full in-person learning. The agenda also included an update from the REAL Coalition, the Broadmeadow School Improvement Plan, and a proposal for a solar panel installation from the Needham High School Environmental Action Club. watch meeting > download packet > Public Comments: A Needham High School student encouraged the School Committee to support a state bill that would require schools to provide free menstrual products in the school bathrooms, as opposed to just in the nurse’s office. Given recent changes in state guidelines, an updated quarantine policy needs to be better spelled out for families if their student is identified as a close contact. A request was made to the School Committee to change the title on the school calendar from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. A request was made by high school parents to get high school open by mid April given mental health concerns for students. A request was made from parents to lift classroom size limits in anticipation of full return to school for grades K-5, including those in Remote Academy who want to return. A mentalhealth professional emphasized the Mental Health crisis across the state, and encouraged the School Committee to get students back in person full time; also encouraged need for extra mental health services on site for students School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Minuteman High School, Needham's vocational/technical high school option, is fully enrolled and next year there should be 10-11 Needham students attending the school. The school construction project that Needham contributed to has resulted in strong enrollment, and the school is looking to expand on their site, including adding Vet Tech program. Superintendent Comments CDC quarantining guidelines have shifted and revised guidelines can be found on the district website. Dr. Gutekanst sat down with three seniors and had a discussion regarding race equity and anti-racist efforts at NHS, and the recording is available on the district website and Needham Channel online Needham High School Environmental Action Club Project Students have been working with Michael Greis from School Committee and Green Needham to develop a plan to put a solar canopy over parking lots at Needham schools. This will allow for more green energy, provide sheltered parking, allow for energy storage, possibly allow for charging for electric cars, and help Needham become a greener community Other local towns have implemented solar panels and have seen significant energy savings Main location possibilities are Needham High School (concerns with fireworks debris and loss of parking space) and Newman Elementary School (no current concerns, lot is large enough to make it work) The project would not take funds from the budget, but would rely on a power purchase agreement There are currently solar panels on Sunita Williams School, and Mr. Greis will look into how cost-effective they have been School Committee members are supportive. Students will next meet with the Select Board and Town Manager to look into logistical aspects of the project and seek approval Broadmeadow School Improvement Plan Principal Emily Gaberman was joined by school guidance counselor Alison Weeks to present a one-year transitional plan fro Broadmeadow which focuses on social emotional support and trauma-infomed practices. Ms. Gaberman is retiring at the end of this school year, so the incoming principal will be developing a new three-year plan next year. This past year has highlighted many of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate competencies in students and faculty; teachers know students very well, technology is incorporated on a daily basis A video was shared in which 5th graders were asked to focus on the silver linings of the pandemic; these included more time with family, becoming more independent, and learning new things about themselves Need to focus on the possible trauma of the pandemic on the students’ social-emotional well-being, provide instruction and an environment that is sensitive to what students have experienced Staff is preparing to look at students through a trauma-informed lens and address issues as needed The school wants to provide an environment that is safe for students to share feelings, enhance community, and care for themselves and each other Broadmeadow is focusing on continued structure and routine as well as allowing flexibility and growth mindset, all while prioritizing safety Many Social-Emotional Resources are already in place. The school will continue to use the Trauma Informed School model with 3 Tier Intervention Model, as well as an Equity and Racial Justice lens, NPS Mental Health Survey, consistent routines, frequent communication with staff and parents, and collaboration with health and wellness resources in the school Areas to address moving forward: teachers and staff need professional development and training to help better support students, as well as emotional support of their own. A response plan for potential future crises is also important School aims to be flexible with change and focus on relationships with students and families Now that K-2 is back fully, the school is aiming to reestablish routines and community while moving the academics forward Racial Equity Access Leadership (REAL) Coalition Update Dr. Joanne Allen-Willoughby, Director of METCO, and Mr. Stephen Plasko, REAL Coalition Member, presented an update on the work of the REAL Coalition. Areas of focus include curriculum, professional development, and hiring practices. REAL Coalition goals: enquip, engage, and empower students, staff, and faculty to be equitable in the community, asking what does it mean to an be anti-racist, anti-biased district, and how do we move forward with these goals in mind? Steering Committee and Advisory Board help advance goals Looking at how to advance curriculum and instruction to support REAL Coalition goals Want to develop system where every student in Needham, grades K-12, receives a culturally-responsive education Helping teachers become Culturally-Responsive Educators also supports the goals of The Portrait of a Needham Graduate. There are 4 domains in becoming a Culturally-Responsive Educator; each domain includes definitions and questions for reflection Know Yourself Know Your Students Know Your Practice (how a teacher runs the classroom) Know Your Content (ways to address bias in curriculum materials) Several other organizations in Needham have also been doing work to help address equity, including Voices in Unity and Needham Unite Against Racism Initiative (NUARI) Roadmap for how to proceed: Needham needs to acknowledge the history of the town, Invest time and resources to develop strategies for change, equip and train to help advance thinking regarding bias and race, Engage multiple perspectives to be heard and respected, and empower the community to change policies and practices that contribute to racism and bias. Update on Student Learning Dr. Gutekanst presented a proposal for reopening the Needham Public Schools to full time instruction. Currently in second week of full-time K-2 students and so far it is going well Plan to build on the work of staff to guide a safe and full-time return to school for all students Commissioner of Education compelled full-time instruction for all elementary students by April 5, and middle school students by April 28; no date provided yet for high school students Remote Academy will remain for families who wish to continue through the end of the school year Proposed Reopening Timeline April 5: grades K-5 return full time, with early release Wednesday for the remainder of the year April 15: bring grades 6-8 back full time, early release Wednesdays May 3: return high school students full time with staggered and modified schedule, with early release Wednesday Continue to prioritize safety, follow principles from NEA Memorandum of Agreement from the summer, focus on academic and social/emotional well-being of students. and ensure adequate planning time for teachers Want to bring middle school back before April break; April 14 is already a planned remote day, and will also allow for the transition of classrooms. Starting before break will allow for transition of curriculum units and a trial run of health and safety protocols. Reopening of the high school will require staggering of students, partially because of MCAS requirements for this year Week of May 3: 9th and 12th grades in person, 10th and 11th remote Week of May 10: 10th and 11th grades in person, MCAS begins, 9th and 12th remote Week of May 17: all high school students back in the building Week of May 24 would be last week of instruction for 12th graders (last day May 28) Week of May 31: 9th grade MCAS scheduled, only grades 9, 10, 11 in school building for the remainder of the year Health & Safety Factors 3 feet of physical distancing in classes, 6 feet of physical distancing with mask breaks and for eating Considering open campus for all high school students Masking, ventilation protocols will still be in effect Will allow for two students per seat on the buses May need to come up with creative ways to allow students to be safe for lunch, including having students sit on buckets outside at Pollard Additional Considerations Remote Academy K-8 students who want to return in person have been contacted, will attempt to accommodate as many as possible No current plan to hire more staff, but will address needs as they arise May need to purchase more desks, other furniture, and tents Need to determine a plan for students who are required to quarantine, since there will no longer be a remote curriculum for Blue/Gold students Many surrounding communities with similar sized high schools do not have a current plan to bring students back Flexibility and understanding is needed as plans may change based on guidelines or health and safety needs Dr. Gutekanst thanked and praised faculty and staff for their flexibility and willingness to change to make this year as successful as it has been Student member Aidan Michelow asked about mental health support that may be available for students who are anxious about returning. Dr. Gutekanst said that teachers and guidance counselors will be available to assist students who may need extra support. Dr. Gutekanst will work with principals to send out information to families on how the plan will be implemented at each individual school School Committee members unanimously voted to support the Superintendent’s plan to bring all students back full-time. Information Item: Draft of 2021-2022 School Calendar Although still in draft form, the proposed school calendar has a start date of 9/1/21, which is before Labor Day. Next School Committee meeting: April 6, 2021.