[{"_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",6217933,"mediaKeyId","3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa","parentId",3638182,"title","Committee to testify on state bills addressing school-transportation costs; local study results pending","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",6124000,"endMs",6335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa&start=6124&end=6335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa/thumbnail_6124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6217933/Massachusetts/Committee-to-testify-on-state-bills-addressing-school-transportation-costs-local-study-results-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217933-c3e83704bd522ba1b9e46be68fbf5703/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120772&Signature=kM07OZ2JhteGtKmWnst9MbLb~H5eOpemAh6cBaM~xyY1eXcrV7Af2FPnjPTXJvy-W0FkvTmoEsVRZiQfcPHxrZ6tfFfMNz-rN8GJy4u2r-v8xY6TmcZpg4LPZpnTn3Li9Jmc4ukr99f34KNbMvXugv87rLLAZxkf-Sa93uoYs56r6Ifx6Ftu3k-XloJKJqpMrKXsJUmPw8HXbi20JaOyZG7J6Tz70v6NBKKsySrfNP~ZYTOARLSqtvN2tYN9FJVKTh2W1DnOTCJQ8CiwRYdN4hYXIjFkzJWNiWn2OvunyDKZYrH2GN6qqTuck-zHklACtWu8kvd-KQKJMuF7OLYYcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Plymouth Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-03T20:32:52.61Z","article","Plymouth — The School Committee said on June 2 that members and staff will testify before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Education on bills aimed at easing school-transportation costs and addressing predatory pricing.

Representative Susan Badger filed two bills the committee plans to support: H.513, \"An Act requiring equitable funding for non‑regional school districts with high transportation costs,\" and H.4011, \"An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts,\" the chair said. Committee members and district staff, including district leaders and town representatives, were scheduled to provide written and oral testimony the following day.

Why it matters: Transportation is a significant line-item for many districts. Committee members said they expect testimony to highlight inequities that impose disproportionate costs on nonregional districts and to urge state remedies.

Local study status: The district has received one of two transportation studies (Alliance Education Associates) and expects a presentation of findings to the committee on June 16; the Massachusetts Association report was still pending. The committee will use the studies to inform local and state advocacy.

Ending: The committee said it appreciated Representative Badger’s sponsorship and expected the testimony and the forthcoming consultant presentation to guide future decisions on transportation policy and budgeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee - June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Plymouth School Committee members will testify before the Joint Committee on Education in support of two bills addressing transportation funding and pricing; the district has received one of two transportation studies and will present results at a future meeting.","taxTitle","Plymouth Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",67267,"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},6217938,"School Committee accepts recommendation on superintendent evaluation; instructional leadership rated \"exemplary\"",578,5598000,6176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa&start=5598&end=6176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa/thumbnail_5598000.jpg","/articles/6217938/Massachusetts/School-Committee-accepts-recommendation-on-superintendent-evaluation-instructional-leadership-rated-exemplary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217938-308c92e4e473574955a4850c54b172cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120772&Signature=CwGcu7e5CeXucNflUa1Q~F5-vZIsi24nhmiEGqnxYILHmMgR5IflMv8OvZC1ETZ9RbiveRVpje3Q1mFZhRX4QmhOjWojCOcrghOEiP7ZZI0HQgJ7pOk8Lj29Pk-02yjEb25~pSYruOZ8erZZbjHNN6syxjBMawG3Kfy-95v25R2hQ0YaARmHW2qEswVffS0cRnmksNrKlvahElrgAwOl9e8GMOXFixPDrdnrGQZgUwDwnOTWPoVDiHYGHhq8kGqbvL5S21B8jmS2kh8R3xP5QEzWMkddlFfIlCAjvqZg3ZENmnMmUWUr6drTvia8bdiLUn~gkbJwBxV5qvdzSZm03g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth — The School Committee on June 2 accepted a recommendation tied to the superintendent’s annual performance review and action on a performance incentive.

Chair Pisano read the committee’s summative evaluation, which praised district progress on attendance, family engagement, DEIB work and transportation review. \"Doctor Campbell has had a great year,\" the written summation read in part. The evaluation rated the superintendent exemplary for instructional leadership and proficient in management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.

Why it matters: The superintendent’s evaluation and any performance incentive reflect the committee’s assessment of district leadership and can influence public confidence and future priorities.

Vote and action: A motion to receive the recommendation on the superintendent’s annual performance incentive was made and seconded; the committee reported five votes in favor, one abstention and one member absent. Committee minutes record that \"We have 5 in favor. Miss Shaw is absent and mister Smart Zelus is abstaining,\" and that the motion passed.

Evaluation highlights: The document the chair read said the district made \"exemplary progress in reducing chronic absenteeism through targeted interventions and community partnerships,\" cited transparent financial communications to build public trust, and noted work on transportation-system research that should lead to savings without reducing service quality. The evaluation also observed that DEIB practices are being integrated across schools.

Ending: Committee members thanked the superintendent for the year’s work; the evaluation will be kept as the committee’s formal record of performance and the committee executed the recommended next steps on the incentive motion.","The Plymouth School Committee received and approved the superintendent’s annual evaluation recommendation on June 2, endorsing strong ratings for instructional leadership and noting district progress on attendance, DEIB and transportation review.",{"_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},6217942,"Student services credits \"Be Present\" campaign, community partners for attendance gains; EL audit and foster care rules flagged",2941,2811000,5752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa&start=2811&end=5752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa/thumbnail_2811000.jpg","/articles/6217942/Massachusetts/Student-services-credits-Be-Present-campaign-community-partners-for-attendance-gains-EL-audit-and-foster-care-rules-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217942-2b3e3d984b8b21a64b4ba584fdffc269/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120772&Signature=EC~gWblR3dqVPF1YQqYvQg4blsQnBbzLdaQR7vp08sAbwkNwpk9THUIwzKnBIMMTcXU~lEjVw7258Q-~mDslzb3A1P0cKYAPSfSSotWMqK-JPIhylB5d6bxCd4DVKOe3va77G6bV0or1waWSLzwryjGNedcsmjv8F6-V7U4ky3Frw8DGESGXJyk7tZobWew74GVelf5fj-FA4G72kbIM-ZTn5CftG~Z~iIzW48Mi8Bo-aIk57Wu3-XqNa00uMTPpJlF4Ve2tRaOtj7DV1qiLv0aC78En3eoOpelAdKSEF93NF5wvwP0P65VM4JI4pMTfRqPeP9d8VtM8IAeq7480cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth — Student-services leaders Sean Halton and Ben Janulewicz updated the School Committee on June 2 on the district’s attendance work, counseling resources, services for students in foster care or experiencing homelessness, English-learner support and related programs.

Halton said the district has seen improvements in overall attendance and credited a coordinated campaign, community partners and targeted interventions. \"If you account for excused absences, then our attendance rate is roughly in the mid-90s,\" he said, and he pointed to the district’s \"Be Present\" messaging, four short videos produced with EdTV, and a community truancy summit as central to the work.

Why it matters: Chronic absenteeism is a known predictor of student outcomes. Halton told the committee that ninth grade in particular remains a vulnerable transition point and described programmatic responses to prevent students from falling behind.

Key programs and figures: Halton described several supports the district uses to connect families with services: Care Solace for mental-health referrals; partnerships with Gosnold and High Point; the Plymouth Family Resource Center; and court-based Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) plans for the most persistent attendance cases. He said 17 students were at one point placed on a CRA this school year and that 15 had met goals and been removed from active CRA status; most cases are dismissed and expunged after goal completion.

Halton said transportation expenses tied to students in McKinney‑Vento or foster-care placements remain a district cost pressure and estimated current transportation costs in that category at about $460,000 to $470,000 for the year.

English-learner audit: The district’s English-learner program completed a TFM audit and was found compliant on 10 of 12 categories but placed on corrective action for two areas: ESL curriculum development and teachers’ SEI endorsements (referred to in the audit as ELE-5 and ELE-414 in the district presentation). Halton said the district has been submitting quarterly updates and working on curriculum and licensing to resolve the issues.

Counseling and services: The presentation laid out counselor ratios and staffing additions across the district and described a small but growing need for specialized services. Janulewicz described messaging and data tools the district uses to analyze attendance patterns and target interventions, including dashboards that disaggregate data by school and subgroup, and said the district has been able to lower chronic absenteeism in some cases through targeted outreach.

Other supports: Halton noted the district’s tutoring program for students with extended absences (primarily high‑school students), reported about 162 current homeschool plans across grades, and praised the district’s Advanced Placement program and its impact on postsecondary access.

Ending: Committee members thanked the presenters; several asked for continuing data monitoring and expansion of high‑impact programs, including the \"Bridal\"/Bright Transition program that provides intensive support for students returning from long absences or placements.","District student-services leaders described mid‑year attendance gains tied to a Be Present campaign and community partnerships, detailed counseling and English-learner challenges, and warned of coming regulatory changes to foster-care student placement rules.",{"_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},6217947,"Plymouth preschool program reports enrollment growth, space and staffing strains; $494,000 CPPI grant in place",1013,1697000,2710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa&start=1697&end=2710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638182-04eeb400feee2b0c04f0453af39512aa/thumbnail_1697000.jpg","/articles/6217947/Massachusetts/Plymouth-preschool-program-reports-enrollment-growth-space-and-staffing-strains-494000-CPPI-grant-in-place","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217947-2c471922df5d4574df56ee4e7156cb7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120772&Signature=VfLhxc93et-i7JwUF9LwXx3SSpe9M0Lwv-iJftkBX6EbEzUqicrEaDB-h386SxxEEtjuobRD9xNu5FwGw1glbVjsSATvjnUTfym9BkH4rDhBF3bEdaU-8cWQnAIltotP-vcmOUepnUWCtY62Sbt2qeIRFTzNa~pnQ6JZAUq4GIserTIb2JWHi90lf2SkHSC3LE2AT0KgcdPohkI1VSyrA11RDyn6CDxu77TQN49jsJzVv0EjG9ggOdUXiHogzkr1t~kZHD~Q~RHvUyjyRCSoaiCSlfpnC7x~CgsGHaFKlgeRU5U5VmiKnkovsvVvDG8doUdes4jVCA4j83OW0EEzlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth — Denise Tobin, principal of the Plymouth Early Childhood Center, told the School Committee on June 2 that enrollment and special-education needs at the district preschool have increased substantially and that the program is approaching its physical and staffing limits.

Tobin said the preschool served about 292 students as of April 30 and had 197 active individualized education programs, and she outlined the center’s mix of classroom models and staffing changes the district has made to accommodate growth. \"We have 133 in our integrated classrooms, 27 substantially separate for a total of 160 special ed spots,\" Tobin said, and added that the district has created additional teacher and paraprofessional positions to add seats.

The preschool operates an integrated model that limits class size to 15 students, with up to seven students with IEPs and eight \"peer\" students from the community in each classroom, Tobin said. To expand capacity the district added four teachers, creating 34 additional IEP slots and about 40 community peer slots, and opened a satellite classroom at Manomet Elementary.

Why it matters: The preschool’s growth affects placements, special‑education timelines and early-year transitions into kindergarten. Tobin said the district is using a mix of in-district classrooms, a Manomet satellite classroom, Head Start partnerships and a state-funded Community Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grant to serve students in the community while avoiding overfilling school-based classrooms.

Supporting details: Tobin described the CPPI award — $494,000 over two years — and how the funds are being used. \"Over the past two years, we have been awarded $494,000 to do this grant,\" she said. She provided the grant breakdown: about $325,000 went to salaries and roughly $87,000 to fringe benefits and travel, leaving limited funds for other expenses. The CPPI team is currently servicing 18 children in community settings, Tobin said, and performs community screenings, evaluations and related services so some children can remain in full-day Head Start programs the district does not provide.

Tobin also described service staffing: the center has 13 teachers (12 at Peck, one at Manomet), 24 paraprofessionals (some hours were increased this year), multiple speech therapists, occupational and physical therapy staff, a full-time registered behavior technician and shared BCBA time. She said one special-education department head moved from part-time to full-time this school year to help manage IEP transitions and compliance timelines.

The presentation covered curriculum and transition work: teachers attended kindergarten classrooms to improve alignment, three teachers joined a South Shore consortium to develop inquiry-based units, and staff are piloting Heggerty phonemic-awareness instruction and a pyramid model for social‑emotional support. Tobin said the team had completed dozens of special-education evaluations and initial-team meetings to meet compliance timelines, and that staff were under stress from the workload.

Questions and parent outreach: Committee members asked what the preschool would need in a \"perfect world.\" Tobin said an evaluation team dedicated to assessments would free staff to focus on direct student services. She also described parent trainings the program provided this year — behavior basics, picky-eater strategies, toilet training and self‑regulation — and a community-provider series to share classroom strategies with local childcare providers.

What’s next: Tobin said there are wait lists for both Peck and the Manomet satellite and that the committee will see a refined preschool recommendation at a future meeting. She urged continued investment in staffing and space to keep up with demand and the complexity of students’ needs.

Ending: Tobin closed by thanking preschool staff and community partners for supporting students with complex needs and said the district will continue to pursue space and staffing changes to meet demand.","Plymouth Early Childhood Center leaders told the School Committee on June 2 the preschool has grown to about 292 students with 197 active IEPs, is operating near capacity, and is using a Community Preschool Partnership Initiative grant to deliver services in the community while seeking space and staffing solutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee to testify on state bills addressing school-transportation costs; local study results pending

School Committee accepts recommendation on superintendent evaluation; instructional leadership rated "exemplary"

Student services credits "Be Present" campaign, community partners for attendance gains; EL audit and foster care rules flagged

Plymouth preschool program reports enrollment growth, space and staffing strains; $494,000 CPPI grant in place