[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6354670,"mediaKeyId","2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b","parentId",2219768,"title","Superintendent reports progress on preschool classroom, EMT program and annex plans amid budget concerns","audioSeconds",687,"startMs",2923000,"endMs",3610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b&start=2923&end=3610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b/thumbnail_2923000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6354670/Massachusetts/Superintendent-reports-progress-on-preschool-classroom-EMT-program-and-annex-plans-amid-budget-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354670-5d676bfaf8dfd23deef692b94825246a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469291&Signature=P1rlyEG7~xfhv74fJdqCx2BpXFVhLgbCNY0bf7zmHAfFWwtsh1xVKSJ~VzvOPx9Ws7qEcct~xEtjUYqMGFo-YVgadG20b5AhbJ15QeR0XOB93pH8rDH4QAFQHUZ6MFIb0uYn6r-vu8MF8xg2aWuSK51gJp3hf-kMXRK8BPLXyLd5L8lMvQyUssvRdmsWSw6ipVJUJheYdrWRsg1aeKUVl53f3LgQA88oicc61xdgAZL~zWcB3MRFDONvL8JkixuzykOVLPwSMeU2TgB6uliuWMicF3Vr5Fmf6DQmM1G9z0RqCEeX2dEKb2FqTwwUUF8xc6lEDBA6sueBctiHo6fF8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wareham Public Schools, MA","date","2025-01-31T17:41:12Z","article","The superintendent told the School Committee that work is underway on multiple goals set in August, including establishing an integrated preschool classroom at Wareham High School, launching an EMT certificate option for upperclassmen, and returning the annex building to district use for the PASS program — all while managing a projected budget shortfall.

On early education, the presentation said administrators have identified a high‑school classroom (room 129) that can be converted to an integrated preschool; the district is pursuing the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grant. The superintendent said the CPPI process includes a needs assessment phase already funded and that the second portion of the grant could provide up to $750,000 for teacher pay, furniture and supplies. The district plans a class of about 15 children (12 peer students, 3 students with special education needs) to start; the superintendent noted grant requirements could change the final ratio and enrollment. A bathroom installation in the high‑school room is planned after school dismisses and the district estimated the capital tie‑in work at roughly $30,000, funded with one‑time sources or gift accounts. The superintendent said playground work will be funded through gift accounts and that special‑education services for enrolled students would be covered through the CPPI grant or established special‑education funding streams.

The committee asked how many high‑school students would be involved in classroom instruction and whether high‑school schedules would create continuity concerns for preschoolers. The superintendent said the district will review models used elsewhere and return with a more specific schedule and staffing plan.

On career pathways, the superintendent reported the district has identified a vendor in Fairhaven to run an EMT certificate program for juniors and seniors. The quoted cost is $21,320 for the year; the district said this would be a recurring line‑item if the program is adopted and will need to be budgeted in FY26.

Regarding the annex, the superintendent said Turning Point has identified alternative space and the district will seek about $200,000 from the capital planning committee for building and technology upgrades to accommodate the PASS program. The superintendent warned that an $850,000 projected shortfall in the budget limits the district’s ability to staff new programs immediately and that the annex transitions will be phased as funding allows. The superintendent said the PASS program will continue to accept school‑choice and tuition students as before.

Finally, the superintendent reported progress on evaluation work with the district evaluation subcommittee; meetings, surveys of evaluators and initial discussions on criteria for exemplary ratings have taken place, with further work scheduled.

No formal committee vote was required on these status updates; the superintendent will return with grant application outcomes, cost estimates and proposed staffing plans if the CPPI grant is awarded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wareham School Committee 1-30-25","oneSentenceSummary","The superintendent told the School Committee that work is underway on multiple goals set in August, including establishing an integrated preschool classroom at Wareham High School, launching an EMT certificate option for upperclassmen, and returning the annex building to district use for the PASS program.","taxTitle","Wareham Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69254,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6354675,"Wareham committee approves Bridgewater State study of comfort dogs with revised consent requirement",1451,141000,1592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b&start=141&end=1592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6354675/Massachusetts/Wareham-committee-approves-Bridgewater-State-study-of-comfort-dogs-with-revised-consent-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354675-8a4d8e0071ea4012b5ca94972198fac1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469291&Signature=Oq0xJqMIxo7z0ljQNyfVW7RbKVxEInjLVsSEc0roQgovt9BpAzjbH30igPx7bMUYymMFZEMzqvcSJxyMtX0NqtY3WXwE5MT8xbLvHBRsMJRybeAYqsBQPavmxoVLC2Yjgo4F3sodtcZn1m4jAa2nx1Ss70nvmRzfisgLGmZIFbTWtq6nK82CE0csqovde7atvI3JWOOovew6AIDd1o5MS37shxdhYboYI3kIYyfRFdjt~BtVxPmZzOkqa06xnPgbl3vBeFmk9RMwaUbuK9XadkWcAn6iEWAiU2U-y81VUHhszvVBqrtW-YDDfEhgCyEIWe2eEaMNggkJhPHWMf55iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wareham Public Schools School Committee voted unanimously to allow researchers from Bridgewater State University and handlers with the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs program to begin a three‑year experimental study of comfort‑dog interventions in district schools, provided the district adopts an amended parental consent process.

The vote came after a presentation from Dr. Leslie Sattler of Bridgewater State University, who described a multi‑district pilot that will test five possible service models — including short classroom visits, targeted de‑escalation interventions and school‑climate surveys — in five districts during year one. Dr. Sattler said the project received institutional review board approval at Bridgewater State and that measurement tools have been approved for initial use.

Committee members focused discussion on parental consent and data collection methods. Several members urged an explicit, evidenceable parental acknowledgment rather than a silent opt‑out default. Dr. Sattler said some district principals favored an opt‑out approach for practical reasons when handlers may be called on to de‑escalate students without foreknowledge, but she also said the team can use an opt‑in form for focus groups and can attend parent information sessions to increase informed participation.

After discussion, a committee member moved to approve Wareham’s participation contingent on a consent form that requires parents to acknowledge they have read the form; another member seconded the motion. The motion passed 5–0–0.

Committee members and staff said the study will avoid collecting personally identifiable student data and that teachers who are asked to gather classroom data must volunteer; handlers and principals will decide which classrooms participate. Dr. Sattler said some aspects of the pilot — for example, measuring time to settle and attention span in substantially separate classrooms — will look at days with and without dog visits to compare outcomes.

Dr. Sattler and committee members also discussed the evidence base: she said while dogs have been studied for pain management and for improving read‑aloud programs, there is less experimental evidence about effects on school climate, relationships with law enforcement and emotion regulation. She said the team hopes to gather student, teacher and parent feedback, and possibly biological measures in later phases, but that the current pilot will rely on surveys and short behavioral observations.

The committee asked that the revised consent text be circulated to them; Dr. Sattler agreed to send the updated form to the superintendent and to attend parent information sessions in district schools. Plymoth County will release the results of the previous year’s qualitative study and the research team expects formal reports to the district in the fall following each study year.","The School Committee voted unanimously to allow a research team and Plymouth County Comfort Dogs handlers to pursue a three‑year experimental study in Wareham schools, conditioned on a revised parental consent form that requires parents to acknowledge they read the form.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6354667,"Votes at a glance: Wareham School Committee approves study participation, contracts, calendar and policies",367,1503000,1870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b&start=1503&end=1870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219768-c75b2a10f19192c69a72088b2eaf422b/thumbnail_1503000.jpg","/articles/6354667/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Wareham-School-Committee-approves-study-participation-contracts-calendar-and-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354667-f2deddffc4b23c7c01ffaca5e7ec82e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469291&Signature=UxTO210x1I6UAGvVfQyNXqzKvpSQ4GXU0MVHS0Ng76dJDb2IOTXBZ~n1oM~2PRO7hNN7HwfmJS5kUyVMKQeaJ3fDrR3Ayny-RTicH-577lvyeUiBmX5t9JD7zpZVfGLAd7FJdbSB8xhgYdo6xBQrrneY8h9vhfMkMf9SuQBq-RYvQnQ1hW4NVmRbCtDB1jfFkPf8wKH1avWxozFplhCPr8asUTcss1JK8AgVUSL~z1P0OYyAdJSaBL8KrsrZP6RYc4cCSibebq6M-StaUpGLtP3LJM3GuxdiAB0m0TATDi6PQkzKlR4vaNQRj~wGrQOPAUr8OGiJMiIcRfEDDYWHFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Wareham Public Schools School Committee recorded unanimous approvals on several items, including formal agreement language, calendar and policy updates. The committee’s roll calls as reflected in the transcript were recorded 5–0–0 (yes–no–abstain) unless noted otherwise.

Votes recorded in the meeting:

1) Comfort Dogs research participation: Approved 5–0–0. Motion approved participation in the Bridgewater State/Plymouth County Comfort Dogs experimental study contingent on a revised parental consent form that requires parents to acknowledge they read the form.

2) Obsolete equipment: Approved 5–0–0. The committee declared 19 box TVs, four poor‑condition flat screens, a culinary mixer without a safety cage, a leaking refrigerator and two vehicles (a dump truck and a pickup truck) obsolete and authorized disposal/recycling. Committee members asked staff to report any salvage value recovered from scrapping vehicles.

3) District calendar for 2025–26: Approved 5–0–0. The draft calendar, which had been reviewed by administration and the union, was approved with committee discussion that the calendar may be amended later if needed before the DESE February 1 submission deadline.

4) Transportation MOA (bus drivers): Approved 5–0–0. Committee approved a successor contract covering August 2025–July 2028 that includes salary increases of 2.25% in year one and 2.5% in each of the following two years, additional personal and sick time, increased longevity and one added holiday. The committee met in executive session earlier that evening to review details.

5) Payroll and bill warrants: Approved 5–0–0.

6) Gift acceptance from The Paper Store: Approved 5–0–0. The Paper Store donated $817.38 with no restrictions; funds will be established in a designated account for school use.

7) Policy votes: Approved 5–0–0 on a package of policies reviewed by the policy subcommittee, including alcohol/tobacco/drug prohibition, meal policy and pricing, minimum wage policy (adoption aligns with Massachusetts minimum wage), purchasing policy (updated statutory citations), and an edited public participation (formerly “public comment”) policy amended to align subcommittee language with MASC guidance.

Motions were moved and seconded as recorded in the meeting; roll‑call tallies in the transcript repeatedly read as “Aye. Opposed? Abstain? 5 0 0.” Committee members asked staff to provide follow‑up details on salvage receipts for obsolete vehicles and to circulate a revised consent form for the approved research study.","The School Committee recorded unanimous approvals (5–0–0) on a research participation consent condition, transportation MOA, payroll and bill warrants, obsolete equipment disposal, the 2025–26 calendar, gift acceptance and several policy updates.","actionData","errors"]

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Superintendent reports progress on preschool classroom, EMT program and annex plans amid budget concerns

Wareham committee approves Bridgewater State study of comfort dogs with revised consent requirement

Votes at a glance: Wareham School Committee approves study participation, contracts, calendar and policies