School Committee Meeting Summary

Mary Mortali, who has been an integral member of the Superintendent's Office and Walpole Public Schools for the past 15 years, will retire effective February 14th. We are deeply grateful for her dedicated services and countless contributions to the district. We wish her all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Breen, currently the secretary at Elm Street School, will be transitioning to this role. With over 20 years of experience in our district, Ms. Breen brings a wealth of expertise to the Superintendent’s Office. We are fortunate to have someone with her knowledge and skills stepping into this position.

Grace Q., Walpole High School representative to the School Committee provided the following report:

• As the weather continues to grow colder, Walpole High students are now halfway through the 2024-2025 school year.
• Mass General Brigham has launched a nursing internship program for juniors and seniors (ages 16+). This free, four-day immersive experience offers hands-on learning in pathology and laboratory medicine, bridging classroom knowledge with real-world applications. The internship will be held during vacation weeks and summer break, with an application required.
• MyCAP seminars for sophomores and juniors began last week as part of the Innovation Pathways Program at WHS. These seminars, rotating every other cycle with School Counseling during B-block study hall, are part of a Massachusetts DESE initiative that helps students explore college, career, and civic readiness through personalized planning activities.
• The Student Council has submitted its state portfolio, aiming for its 12th consecutive year as a Gold Council.
• The Yearbook Committee announced senior superlatives for the Class of 2025. Seniors vote on these superlatives, fostering a strong sense of community.
• Both the girls’ basketball team and the girls’ and boys’ hockey teams have had strong seasons so far. This week, Walpole sports games have focused on Morgan's Message, raising awareness about athletes' mental health.
• As the third term begins, WHS students are hard at work and looking forward to February break.

1. History Update - Jodi O’Rourke, Grade 6-8 Humanities Coordinator and Michael Donahue, History Department Chair at Walpole High School, delivered a History curriculum update. The full reoprt can be viewed here at time marker 10:26. See also the very impressive Walpole High School students reports beginning at time marker 21:15.

• This week (February 3-7) is National School Counseling Week. She and Dr. Hahn expressed their gratitude for the incredible work school counselors do each day to support students and contribute to the success of our school community.
• Last Friday, she attended the Walpole Middle School production of Mystery at Shady Acres. She congratulated the cast, crew, and staff for an outstanding performance. Their hard work, dedication, and talent brought the characters to life, making the very first play at the new middle school a truly memorable event. They have set the stage—literally!—for future productions.
• Elementary and middle school report cards are now available in the Aspen Family Portal. Families are encouraged to download the report card as a PDF to print a copy. If there are any questions, parents/guardians should contact their child’s principal or teacher.
• She provided a second update on the Strategic Plan pillars.
• Tomorrow (2/7) is an early release day for all students.

1. Budget Update - Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. Friscia, shared that the special education deficit for FY25 has increased to $1.6 million, which will necessitate the use of all of the district’s circuit breaker carryover funds to address this deficit. The school committee was also informed of rising health care costs affecting the town’s budgeting for FY26. A gap of $1.3 million remains between the school committee’s level services budget and town administrator’s recommended budget. Without additional funding the district is looking at the elimination of at least 10 staff positions to help close this gap. Committee members stressed the need for continued advocacy at the town and state levels to support our operating budget and avoid reductions to our staff.

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.