[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6099320,"mediaKeyId","2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b","parentId",2818683,"title","Committee endorses Green Communities grant application for McCall HVAC controls; district to identify local match","audioSeconds",240,"startMs",3800000,"endMs",4040000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b&start=3800&end=4040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b/thumbnail_3800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099320/Massachusetts/Committee-endorses-Green-Communities-grant-application-for-McCall-HVAC-controls-district-to-identify-local-match","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099320-e21ede5b0d7fd34f4e8e82097671e8d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=Z9E552XMGLQeI7QtDDoKwX~unhJ8Z8uM4CATxh4Wyl8IYAOb~b5ecOXfiHen2zx3kE38bOtqiu4rdHni1wlwcAiTECHeUX9p8fPjdgGuifoRqWyFHwF5Z3yarmN3cRrCSSSm-v63R9mrEIOrZbwa2gpit-tpbZFWvqlQDvZOZwIS8Lgch1Q-pIPQ1oWXr~6-VfcCjNA-i-4-p7FdQMpYwM56VbQBP6pwlbvZQC7k9c5aDVBFKnAgBZ-uelHkxvq4evMPzB29f1oyJBPgtPkFoFQXAZKHDQzQUkyyoyryrXiWsKhWyafissE3yo2Mp~qTZvraQFiWvUZ66B-aO6pjPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-28T17:46:10Z","article","The Winchester School Committee on March 27 authorized submission of a Green Communities grant application to replace failing pneumatic controls and related equipment at McCall Middle School.

Peter Lawson, presenting for facilities, said McCall’s original renovation was in 1998 and that many control components are pneumatic and failing. The proposed project would replace pneumatic valves with electric damper motors and actuators, integrate controls into the district’s building-management system and allow remote scheduling and triage. Lawson said consultants estimated the project cost at roughly $177,789 and that utility incentives would reduce the district’s net project cost; the district would still need to identify local matching funds before a grant could be signed if it were awarded.

Lawson told the committee that the facilities office could provide $10,000 and that the Energy Revolving Fund had $10,000 available to commit now, and he asked Winchester Public Schools to contribute $31,060 toward the balance. The committee moved and approved a motion to submit the Green Communities application with the understanding that funding sources would be identified prior to signing; the committee vote to authorize submission was recorded as 5–0.

Why it matters: Controls failure affects the district’s ability to provide consistent heating and cooling. Replacing controllers and integrating the equipment with the building-management system would improve temperature control, allow remote adjustments and is expected to modestly reduce energy use; however, the short‑term financial need requires district budget or departmental accounting to cover the district share if the grant is awarded.

Next steps: If the grant is awarded (award announcements are typically made in October), the district will finalize contracts and return to the committee with the project contract and timeline. Facilities staff indicated they would work with town budget offices (capital stabilization, capital maintenance, DPW accounts) and the steering committee to identify an appropriate funding source and, if necessary, reimburse that source in FY26.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester School Committee Meeting 3-27-25","oneSentenceSummary","The School Committee authorized submission of a Green Communities grant for replacing failing pneumatic HVAC controls at McCall Middle School and discussed the project cost, anticipated incentives and proposed local funding sources.","taxTitle","Winchester Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71055,"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},6099325,"Collaborative for Educational Services updates school committee on district literacy review, pilot plan and mCLASS rollout",1453,997000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b&start=997&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6099325/Massachusetts/Collaborative-for-Educational-Services-updates-school-committee-on-district-literacy-review-pilot-plan-and-mCLASS-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099325-ed033ffa016b55f1db1092645ed1c4b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=NGv7KmU47jWwx7~GvDplxsVRg045iZZbqH2vO0KoHyFFYdmtksCvd0Ckv1qpWCr6F1YrYabQWkacLy9WlrG7hq7LEZIWOvJHzmquqPYkYHyKEYGdzQtNyTB6L8EYucif6FWvntJgO5-2kPsDj9Ca7549aPMRSTxM9S7L1vGi1I8ho8Nu-1yReYtH~qI1GOLjZlFdFyM2sG7fxjUowb2Ala96Sf~3D2DKUqJDlalQyTak-5~Ema8XNu7qIjCHvxQtJ77FlFTnRzJpA6bdwQGdxBeHFsSwjBzQJFKwZTWRuMnW4UvVxuXDXmvm3oENKclRIhtShZV9a0WB4Qx6cYboJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Chang of the Collaborative for Educational Services updated the Winchester School Committee on March 27 about the Elementary Literacy Team (ELT) work: a multi‑year program review and pilot process, assessment selections, and staffing steps designed to strengthen K–5 literacy instruction across the district.

The CES team said its research organized needs into three buckets: curricular coherence, communication and culture, and assessment and student support. Using DESE’s CURATE rubric and EdReports as screening tools, staff reduced an initial long list of programs to roughly a dozen and then to a working list of seven literacy core program candidates for a pilot process. The ELT plans to select two finalists at the May meeting and run a June pilot design process, with a soft launch of assessment tools and phased PD to begin in April–June and a 4–5 year implementation roadmap.

Why it matters: The ELT’s work is meant to address gaps identified in a prior CES review and teacher and parent surveys. The review covers program content (foundational skills, knowledge building), teacher supports, assessments and the multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS). District leadership and the ELT emphasized that curriculum adoption alone is not a complete solution; PD, coaching and coordinated intervention systems must accompany any core program.

Key takeaways and next steps reported by CES:
- Program review: Vendors were screened with CURATE and EdReports; seven programs advanced for deeper review. ELT members are doing focused deep dives on domains across vendors, watching introductory vendor videos and arranging site visits to districts using candidate programs.
- Pilot plan: The ELT intends to recommend two programs in May for a summer/fall pilot design; the pilot will aim to give teacher teams the opportunity to compare materials side‑by‑side rather than assigning different cohorts different programs in isolation.
- Assessment: CES reported a recommendation to adopt mCLASS (Amplify) for K–5 literacy screening and DIBELS measures to provide longitudinal data; the district leadership is working with Amplify on PD sessions in April, May and June and a soft launch with grades 4–5 next year to build longitudinal K–5 data.
- Expert support: Dr. Grimaldi is scheduled to provide districtwide PD on the science of reading and to consult with ELT working groups during program selection and implementation planning.
- Staffing: The district has posted a literacy coordinator position; CES said the hiring process will include teacher input and align with ELT priorities.

Direct quote: “This is truly like an academically rigorous process that’s taking place,” Chang said, describing the ELT’s use of teacher voice, data and iterative adjustments.

CES also acknowledged limits and cautioned that no single program is likely to be a complete, permanent solution; the ELT expects to combine core materials with carefully selected supplemental and intervention supports and to monitor outcomes continuously.

The committee opened questions about pilot logistics, teacher selection and program suitability for English learners and requested that the district and CES return with implementation details and cost estimates at future meetings.","CES presented progress from the district’s elementary literacy team (ELT): a program review has narrowed core literacy programs to seven, the committee will pick two for a June pilot, mCLASS (Amplify) was recommended for K–5 assessment rollout, and a literacy coordinator hiring process is underway.",{"_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},6099330,"Public commenter urges Winchester schools to disclose legal obligations on literacy supports",278,65000,343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b&start=65&end=343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b/thumbnail_65000.jpg","/articles/6099330/Massachusetts/Public-commenter-urges-Winchester-schools-to-disclose-legal-obligations-on-literacy-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099330-b7f6340028950269671c7be674ba6111/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=CHGlcpnHDuziJSUoV3Rex0NPa-n2Dmo3qa1WbxOdeX8irilLhRr0zDuI3JMcWJRaMgJYTPAZAdM5xvvIDaMZFU4ODy6uadQUKZttiURA-KtdpkGr0-z9fXLUens7xtqYJ16aIdaCtVDJgmOYYExWBdsQyDfy2Qrs~~tphjejr1rZfWTnb8NO0KwpGVOBUQoL5bXkye8Diu2J02~MNujTIor6y8wmb5ynhRWa3-ZWnv2qqyHjLOfIOBF6qmnPENN9BrlslmN9Pc1RgeHAWxsWuuTK9EB468YtU5Bi5Ll1J5dPDBsNE6BGHCtE6q4lKwlJVfmjkNAvvldXvQ5wzeALdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heather von Mayering, speaking during public comment at the March 27 Winchester School Committee meeting, told the committee that the district must be clearer about its legal responsibilities to identify and support students who struggle in literacy and mathematics.

Von Mayering said the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) review “supported that, yes, we do not have a curriculum or curriculums that address phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, spelling, writing, etcetera.” She told the committee: “The district is required to find all children who are struggling in literacy, math, any of the components of their education and provide them support.”

Why it matters: Federal and state special‑education obligations (commonly described as “child find” and FAPE—Free Appropriate Public Education—requirements) require school districts to identify students with learning needs and provide appropriately tiered instructional support. Von Mayering said Winchester’s CES review found gaps in tier‑2 and tier‑3 interventions and urged the committee to disclose what services and staffing levels are legally required and what the district plans to fund.

What she asked for: Von Mayering urged the committee to be specific about K–12 literacy curriculum, MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) and required staff positions, including full‑time general‑education teachers, tier‑2 intervention staff, English‑learner support, special‑education staff and an out‑of‑district coordinator. She said some programs in the district (for example, DIBELS administration and DIBELS-based progress monitoring) were reaching only a subset of students and grades and that parents are hiring tutors to fill gaps.

The committee did not take immediate formal action on the public comment. Members acknowledged receipt of the remarks and proceeded to the reorganization agenda.

Quotable: “The hiding of your cards is no longer going to work. You have a bad hand. It is time to show your cards,” von Mayering said.

Note on terminology: The commenter used the phrase “child defined loss” in the public comment; the meeting transcript also invoked “child find” obligations and FAPE. The article uses the commonly accepted education law terms “child find” and FAPE to summarize the legal obligations the commenter referenced.","A member of the public told the school committee that the district is not meeting legal obligations to identify and support students who struggle in literacy and math and urged the committee to be transparent about required services and funding needs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099335,"School Committee elects leadership, approves minutes and green grant submission",3940,394000,4334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b&start=394&end=4334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2818683-373c84eadd7e21c075e3d3fd3b552e5b/thumbnail_394000.jpg","/articles/6099335/Massachusetts/School-Committee-elects-leadership-approves-minutes-and-green-grant-submission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099335-90a753896bd1dba03e0f276e6e342e93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=iuyuVooBQ-EUY5gUNeKGTWyRXcomEe7HogIBqKKsJIj-azRcA3OUALSXwaHvGwaycSChiEbGmRjj7dpyMagq5W5ixf-EELkeqOijOmmWxGamJz6IyW8fdBd3~EspDSduTz87kTJF5xFuwg2Iwqg9FIykYClWKjR98fVHMixEQR38yegxAjyFlo3Pxh4dytWWCVG1wfUNV8RQsVTZy7axgQ5RsBND5ieswmBVyduy7BVryWcIlqQ6lVygoIL~FJUif3sGcmFg1e4Z~9wYMEvrOtuf7wKPGdxHVXHq~-s1JSqQqhbCZeFUbmZH~cm8tkLvmCJK6F-V4DPW8JHP0ncptA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester Public Schools School Committee on March 27 elected committee leadership, approved one set of minutes and authorized submission of a Green Communities grant application for work at McCall Middle School.

The committee elected Karen Bollett chair by a unanimous roll-call vote. The committee then elected Dr. Matthews vice chair and Stephanie Munyarji recording secretary in roll-call votes. The committee approved the minutes from Feb. 13, 2025, by unanimous roll call. Later in the meeting the committee voted to approve submitting a Green Communities grant application for HVAC controls work at McCall Middle School; the motion to authorize submission passed by recorded vote (5-0).

Why it matters: Leadership elections determine who runs meetings and sets committee workflow and agenda priorities. The Green Communities grant submission clears the project to compete for state energy funds; if awarded, the grant would pay a portion of controls replacement at an aging middle‑school building and require the district to identify matching funds.

The votes:
- Chair: Karen Bollett elected (unanimous roll-call vote). The chair then presided for the remainder of the meeting.
- Vice chair: Dr. Matthews elected by roll call (ayes recorded).
- Recording secretary: Stephanie Munyarji elected by roll call (unanimous).
- Minutes: Minutes for Feb. 13, 2025, approved (vote recorded as unanimous).
- Green Communities grant: Motion to submit the application for McCall Middle School HVAC controls passed (vote recorded 5-0).

Meeting procedure note: The committee used roll-call voting for the leadership and minutes votes; for the grant authorization the committee’s motion asked that proposed funding sources be identified before signing the grant application. The grant application deadline was 04/04/2025.

Other formal actions recorded at the meeting (no additional public votes): a motion to delay the reorganization until after Town Meeting was made but failed for lack of a second; nominations for chair were received and closed before the roll-call election.","The Winchester School Committee reorganized its leadership, approved Feb. 13 minutes and voted to authorize submission of a Green Communities grant application for McCall Middle School HVAC controls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee endorses Green Communities grant application for McCall HVAC controls; district to identify local match

Collaborative for Educational Services updates school committee on district literacy review, pilot plan and mCLASS rollout

Public commenter urges Winchester schools to disclose legal obligations on literacy supports

School Committee elects leadership, approves minutes and green grant submission