The Swansea School Committee unanimously approved three votes and received district updates on building planning, the FY26 budget, school safety upgrades and a seizure-awareness initiative.

On formal actions, the committee approved a motion to reduce fees charged to the parks and recreation department as a procedural follow-up, unanimously accepted a donated Rifton Pacer Gate Trainer from Britney Brady (recorded value about $2,000), and agreed to accept Thomas Rogers as a substitution for Grant Hader on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) designer-selection panel for the Joseph Case junior high project. The donation motion was made by Commissioner Cavallo and seconded by Commissioner Pontiporto; the substitution motion was seconded by Commissioner Barbosa. Each motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent Holcomb told the committee the district is in the MSBA designer-selection process for the Joseph Case junior high project. Five architectural firms expressed interest; the local selection process will narrow that list to three and the school building committee is scheduled to be presented a recommended firm around Jan. 29. As part of that process, the committee accepted Thomas Rogers as a local substitute on the designer selection panel.

On the FY26 budget, Holcomb said district needs documented for A&F may show a higher percentage increase than initially expected; he told members the total needs — personnel, programs and capital repairs such as repointing brick mortar at some schools — could show substantially larger needs than a standard 3–4% projection, though he emphasized the town’s capacity to fund increases would be considered when the budget is finalized.

Director of Student Services Sean Scanlon updated the committee on three related operational items: a recommended donation of therapy equipment (the Rifton device), work on a van-driver information template to improve communication when routes or drivers change, and a seizure-awareness training rollout. Scanlon said the district has identified a short educational video sourced with the Epilepsy Foundation and plans to have most staff (teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria staff, IT staff and van drivers) view the video prior to February vacation, with a student-facing component targeted for next school year. He said the van-driver form and staff training materials are planned to be distributed this school year.

Director of Finance and Operations Joanne Rebello (not present) has the lead on safety and security upgrades. Committee members were told contractor E and E has begun keyless entry installations at the administration building and is identifying cost-saving changes in conduit and wiring. The committee was also informed that staff are coordinating with Motorola Solutions and E and E to scope a camera-installation cost so the district can provide a full cost estimate prior to pursuing an article for the May town meeting warrant.

Finally, the committee announced it would enter executive session on litigation (Amarillo Busco Incorporated, Bristol Superior Court CA No. 2273CV00011), nonunion personnel negotiations (including assistant superintendent Elizabeth White) and collective bargaining (teachers, secretaries, paraeducators and cafeteria workers). The committee said it would not return to open session after executive session.