School Committee Newsletter

Interest (SOI) submittal period from January 12th until April 12th. Per the MSBA, “The purpose of the SOI is for the District to identify perceived deficiencies within a school facility.” The School Committee plans to continue to pursue funding assistance from the MSBA for a future school building project, and will submit an SOI for each of our elementary schools. Currently, we are reviewing the SOIs from the districts accepted by the MSBA in 2023, as well as our submissions from last year, and making appropriate updates. At the same time, as a whole School Committee, we continue to evaluate best near and long term options for our students and our town.

Earlier this month the Superintendent and Administrative team presented their recommended FY25 budget for the 2024/2025 school year. The Administrative team worked hard to develop a very thoughtful $39.6M budget, which is a 5.08% increase over this year’s budget. We held our Public Hearing on the FY25 School Budget at our February 8th meeting. The School Committee and Superintendent will continue to review the proposed budget at the Tri-Board meeting on February 28th, at the School Committee meeting on February 29th, and with the Finance Committee at the beginning of March. You can view the draft budget online here.

The Ipswich School Committee invited interested residents to apply to serve on the Whittier Vocational Technical High School Committee for a three-year term beginning on April 1, 2024 and ending on March 31, 2027. Applicants will be interviewed in public session during a March Ipswich School Committee meeting. Read more about the Whittier School Committee here.

The School Committee invites 1) a Community Member and 2) a Local Business Representative to fill two vacant positions on the Paine Grant Committee. The committee will meet in April and May to review grant applications seeking funding through the Feoffees Grant Program, and to make recommendations on grant awards to the School Committee. Ipswich residents who are interested in serving are asked to complete the Paine Grant Committee Member Application and send it to Dianna Freehan, School Committee Liaison to the Paine Grant Committee, 1 Lord Square, Ipswich, MA 01938, or to dfreehan@ipsk12.net; appointments to the committee will be made by the School Committee.

The School Committee invites 1) a parent/guardian, 2) a community member, and 3) a representative from a community agency serving youth, to fill positions on the School Wellness Committee. The committee will meet at least four times per year and will “recommend, review and help implement school district policies addressing school nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity and related issues that affect student health.” Ipswich residents who are interested in serving are asked to send a letter of interest to Laura Hillery, 1 Lord Square, Ipswich, MA 01938, or to lhillery@ipsk12.net; appointments to the committee will be made by the Superintendent.

• The School Committee approved 13 new and revised policies.

• At the request of the Utilities Department, permission was granted to conduct borings on the corner of the Town Hall field as an initial step to learn about the appropriateness of the site as a location for a future Pump Station (this does not guarantee the site as the chosen location of the Pump Station).

• The School Committee voted to open the School Choice Program for the 2024-2025 school year, specifically allocating spots in the elementary levels, as recommended by the building Principals.

• The School Committee performed a mid-year review of the School Committee Goals and Superintendent Goals; we recognized progress, as well as areas to focus on during the remainder of the year.

• Wednesday, February 28th - Tri-Board Meeting - 7pm at Town Hall and online

• Thursday, February 29th - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Tuesday, March 5th and Wednesday, March 6th; Tuesday, March 12th (tentative) - Budget Presentation to Finance Committee - 7:30pm at Town Hall and online

• Thursday, March 7th - School Committee Meeting and Budget Vote - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Thursday, March 21st - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

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