Ipswich School Committee Newsletter

The change of seasons typically catches me off guard every year. One day we are enjoying the summer warmth, and just like that, we are throwing on extra layers in the mornings as we send our students off to school. Oftentimes, this corresponds with the relative leniency of school break, and the sudden structure and routine of the school year.

As a School Committee, however, we are prepared and excited to welcome the Ipswich Public Schools students, families, staff and administrators back for the 2024-2025 school year. Our committee is a motivated group with a balance of historical knowledge and fresh perspectives, sharing the goal of continuing to support public education in Ipswich. Some initiatives we are already working on include: settling fair contracts with union employees; collaborating with other town committees on a Strategic Plan, which will include recommendations for the next elementary school building project; updating the Feoffee’s policy to ensure the grant process best allows for enrichment and enhancement of education; and promoting two-way communication between our board and all stakeholders.

We hope you and your students have been able to adjust schedules, embrace the cooling air, and shift into this school year with enthusiasm. In closing, I borrow words from our District Mission statement which apply to us all: here’s to embracing a new school year: “We propose to do this through an emphasis on communication, critical thinking, creativity, self-management, perseverance and collaboration.”

Welcome back and all the best,

Dianna Freehan, Chair, on behalf of the Ipswich School Committee:

Jen Donahue, Vice-Chair

Kate Eliot

Jenny Connolly

Mat Perry

Sasha Sopic

Haley Rist

As we return to school, student safety is at the forefront of our minds. We can all play a role in preventing a tragedy in Ipswich. Seventy-six percent of school shooters under the age of 18 obtained the gun from their home or the home of a close relative. If you have a weapon in your home, please ensure it's safely secured. Please visit https://besmartforkids.org to learn more.

Together, the Ipswich Educators' Association and the Ipswich School Committee are pleased to announce that we have reached tentative agreements to settle the collective bargaining contracts between the educators, paraeducators and education support personnel, and the School Committee. We look forward to continuing to work together to support our students and public education in Ipswich.

Additionally, the District recently reached a fair agreement with the Custodial and Clerical bargaining units. The Food Services contract bargaining will occur this fall.

In 2023, Ipswich hired NORESCO to complete an energy audit of our municipal and school buildings and develop a plan to reduce energy use and operating costs. NORESCO’s proposal will deliver a minimum of $400,000 in annual savings, which adds up to over $9m over 20 years. The project cost will be offset with utility rebates, state grants, and federal investment tax credits totaling at least $1.4 million.

Ipswich residents will vote on the NORESCO energy audit and improvement recommendations at the Town Meeting on Tuesday, October 22nd. The School Committee voted unanimously to support the warrant article.

If approved, the majority of annual savings will come from the projects at the schools:

• Replacement of transformers, heat pumps, and cleaning heat coils

• LED lighting upgrades at all schools

• Energy Management System (EMS) upgrades at the MS/HS

• Building weatherization at the MS/HS, including insulation and sealing

• Installation of a solar photovoltaic carport in the HS parking lot

• Upgrade of existing toilets, faucets, and urinals to new ultra-low flow technology

Last year’s grants totaled $106,360 in funding. Programs now in place this year include:

• Restorative Justice Training

• Preschool “dramatic play” experience

• Conference enrollment for teachers

• Collaboration and project based learning

• Literary magazine printing

• Field Trip to Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston

• Increasing the Power of Progress Monitoring

• Math by the Book: Literature to Teach Mathematical Skills

• NCTM 2024: Innovative Instruction for Ipswich

• Supporting Pre-School Learners in Specialists

• Tra-digital Art Enhancement

• Kindergarten Aquatic Safety

• Large Format Printing for Community Impact

• Ipswich Jazz Night: A Showcase of Creativity and Collaboration

• YACHT Continuing Education Classes and Materials 2024-2025 school year

• Subcommittees, Working Groups and Liaison roles were set after our summer Retreat meeting.

• At our August Tri-Board meeting, we discussed strategic planning and the NORESCO Energy Savings Project proposal.

• School Committee members toured each of the school buildings in August to inspect the upgrades and repairs completed in preparation for the new school year.

• During a September meeting, a member of the Task Force presented on Section 3A Multifamily Zoning Project.

• We held a School Committee workshop to discuss the future of an elementary school building project.

• We join Dr. Blake in welcoming Scott Laliberte, Interim Building Administrator of the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School.

• Thursday, October 3rd - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Monday, October 14th - No School, Indigenous People’s Day

• Tuesday, October 15th - No School, Professional Development Day

• Thursday, October 17th - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Tuesday, October 22nd - Special Town Meeting - 7pm in the Ipswich Middle/High School Performing Arts Center

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