Summary
1.Call to Order
CHAIR COMMENT: This meeting is being held remotely as an alternate means of public access pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 temporarily amending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law. You are hereby advised that this meeting and all communications during this meeting may be recorded by the Town of Hingham in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. If any participant wishes to record this meeting, please notify the chair at the start of the meeting in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 20(f) so that the chair may inform all other participants of said recording.
2. Motion to enter into Executive Session and to reconvene in Open Session, for the purposes of:
The Hingham School Committee will enter into executive session pursuant to MGL c. 30A, § 21(a)(1) to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. (Three Open Meeting Law Complaints filed November 4, 2021 by Sarah Gordon, November 4, 2021 by Barbara Lynch, and November 8, 2021 by Kerry Erick).
Discussing strategy related to negotiations with HEA Unit A for working conditions of the reopening of schools for the 2021-2022 school year, the public discussion of which may be detrimental to the Committee’s bargaining position
To approve minutes of prior Executive Session held on September 8, 2021
3. Return to Open Session at 7:00 PM
3.1 To hear an update on proposed changes to the Town's financial policy.
4. Approval of Minutes
4.1 Minutes of the School Committee meeting held on November 1, 2021
5. Questions and Comments
The Hingham School Committee encourages community engagement and welcomes questions and comments as agenda items are discussed at the meeting. In addition, we have set aside up to fifteen minutes at the beginning of this meeting for comments or questions that fall under the purview of the School Committee and are not already on tonight's agenda. If any guests wish to speak, please raise your hand, state your name and address, and address your comments to the Chairperson. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes per speaker and must relate to topics within the scope of responsibility of the School Committee. As established by the Massachusetts General Laws, the responsibilities of the School Committee are to (1) select and to terminate the Superintendent, (2) review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and (3) establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district. Speakers are encouraged to present their remarks in a respectful manner and to consider the privacy interests of others. The public comment period is not a time for debate or response to comments by the School Committee. The School Committee is not adopting or endorsing any of the comments made during the public comment period.
6. Superintendent’s Report
6.1 COVID-19/Vaccination Update
7. Communications
8. Unfinished Business
8.1 Update from the Foster School Building Committee
8.2 Update on the Superintendent search process
8.3 Update on the Strategic Plan process
8.4 To discuss the 2021-2022 School Committee Report Schedule and to act as appropriate
9. New Business
9.1 To discuss the 2021 Massachusetts Association of School Committees/Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents conference and delegate votes
9.2 Budget Calendar Update
10. Subcommittee and Project Reports/Warrants Signed
11. Other items as may not reasonably be known 48 hours in advance of the meeting
12. Adjourn
