School Committee Meeting Summary

Dave Kujawski has been selected to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST is administered by the National Science Foundation and recognizes outstanding teaching in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Dave will travel to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony in the future. Congratulations to Mr. Kujawski for being selected for this prestigious award and for being an outstanding teacher!

Victoria B., Walpole High School representative to the School Committee provided the following report:

• Yesterday marked the end of the first semester and students have been preparing for term tests. Report cards will be issued next week.
• Winter sports are thriving, with recent successes including Girls Basketball and Gymnastics winning their last games. Wrestling, Boys Basketball, and both Girls and Boys Hockey have had strong seasons, showcasing tremendous effort and determination. Many teams participated in a Red Jersey Night, supporting the ALS research foundation, “4 You I Will Fight.”
• The WHS chapter of Morgan’s Message hosted a Pickleball tournament last Friday to raise awareness about athlete mental health. The event had a great turnout, with the winning team earning $100 gift cards.
• STUCO is fundraising for Belle of the Ball, raffling prom tickets to benefit this initiative that provides gently used prom dresses for those in need. Additionally, STUCO is preparing for the MASC Conference in March, a statewide event featuring student-led workshops.
• The Robotics Team launched their 2025 season on January 4th with a strong performance at their first competition.
• The Speech and Debate Team placed 7th out of 36 teams at their Winter Festival competition.
• The Math Team is currently ranked 10th out of 32 teams, with one meet remaining in their quest to secure a playoff spot.
• The Photography Club is exploring the theme of “temperature” for this week’s creative challenge.
• Students preparing for the upcoming trip to Chile and Argentina have only three weeks until departure. The group is finalizing flights and accommodations while gearing up for hikes in Chile’s deserts and dancing in Argentina’s vibrant culture.

1. Science Update - Meme O'Malley, Science Department Chair at Walpole High School and Walpole Middle School teacher Jill Masterson delivered a Science curriculum update. The full report can be viewed here beginning at time marker 6:35.

2. Vote on Tentative FY '26 Budget -This year presents unique challenges for the budget process, with traditional issues compounded by new difficulties. Key factors include:

• Uncertainty in State Aid: Final state aid figures won’t be available until summer, but decisions must be made now. Projections are based on the governor's budget and estimated local and state revenues.
• Special Education Costs: Shifting student placements and transportation during the year make these expenses unpredictable.
• Personnel Costs: Representing 86% of the school budget, ongoing negotiations with teachers and custodians add complexity to projections.
• Inflation: Rising costs for goods and services, have further strained the budget.

The School Committee approved a budget of $59,268,845. The town administrator recommended $57,955,945, resulting in a $1,312,900 gap. Collaborative efforts are underway to bridge this gap, but challenges remain. While it’s early, the path forward involves advocating for necessary funding, securing a fair teacher contract, and avoiding drastic measures like layoffs. The coming months will be critical in finalizing a sustainable budget.

• the Walpole Middle School Drama Club is preparing for their production of The Mystery at Shady Acres. Performances are scheduled for January 30th and 31st at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Middle School Auditorium. This event promises to showcase the creativity and talent of our middle school students.

• the Walpole High School Mock Trial Team will travel to Canton next Friday to compete. Their dedication and preparation are commendable, and we wish them the best of luck in representing our school community.

• the Superintendent’s Student Cabinet met yesterday to collaborate on school and district-wide initiatives and participated in an activity focused on our district’s core values.

• she attended the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Midwinter Meeting. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow superintendents, engage in professional learning, and discuss important statewide educational initiatives that impact our district.

• she continues visiting schools and meeting individually with principals, which provide invaluable insights into the curriculum, programs, and activities across our district, while fostering collaboration with staff, students, and administrators.

• the Walpole Scholarship Foundation Application cycle is now open, with a submission deadline of February 1st. Additionally, the Foundation is hosting a Trivia Night fundraiser on February 1st at 7:00 PM at the German Club. To date, the Foundation has awarded approximately 3,500 scholarships totaling $4.3 million.

• we continue to encourage families to complete kindergarten registration as soon as possible. Follow-up letters will be sent to those who have not yet registered. Early registrations are essential for effective staffing, budgeting, and scheduling for the upcoming school year.

• we continue our work on the FY26 budget. Our focus remains on aligning the budget with district goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

1. Middle School Building Project - Mr. Breen indicated there is not much to report on the middle school building project at this time. In the spring, any necessary or unfinished outside work will commence.

2. High School Project - Dr. Gough reported that construction continues to be underway in the parking lot at Walpole High School, along with work on underground utilities. Further updates can be seen on the WHS project website here.