In a recent school committee meeting, significant discussions emerged regarding the handling of a complaint related to special needs inclusion in sports and the proposed salary increase for the superintendent.

A parent expressed frustration over the lengthy and costly investigation into their complaint about mistreatment of their son due to his disability. The parent highlighted that despite a special needs inclusion policy being in place for two years, key figures in the school, including the athletic director and principal, were unaware of its existence. The investigation, which cost $80,000, was initiated after the parent made a complaint a year ago, but they emphasized that they had not requested an investigation initially, only a review of their son's treatment. The parent also mentioned that they had gathered extensive documentation, including recorded conversations, to support their claims.

Following this public comment, the committee moved on to discuss the superintendent's salary for the 2024-2025 school year. A motion was made to set the superintendent's base salary at $190,000, a significant increase from the current salary of $182,000. While some committee members supported the increase, citing the competitive market for educational leaders, others raised concerns about the disparity between the superintendent's proposed raise and the anticipated 3% salary increase for teachers. One member argued that the superintendent's salary should align more closely with the raises given to teachers, emphasizing the need for equitable compensation across the board.

The discussions reflect ongoing tensions within the school district regarding budget allocations and the prioritization of resources, particularly in light of the challenges faced by special needs students and the compensation of educators.