Scituate School Committee approves 2025–26 calendar, in‑state trips, raises substitute nurse pay and accepts donations

The Scituate School Committee voted in September 2025 to approve its 2025–26 meeting calendar, authorize annual in‑state student trips, increase pay for substitute nurses and accept multiple donations for student programs, officials said.

The committee unanimously approved the proposed 2025–26 calendar after agreeing to move the Sept. 22 meeting to Sept. 29 to accommodate Rosh Hashanah observances. Committee members noted a cluster of budget-related meetings in late January and early February (Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9) to allow time for presentation and the vote on the budget.

The meeting also included a student report from Luke Donlon, the student representative from Scituate High School, who said the fall athletic season was underway and that 55% of students were participating. "Both students and staff are settling in and hoping for a great year," Donlon said.

Administrators presented an annual request to approve an in‑state overnight field trip for sixth‑grade students tied to curriculum goals and social‑emotional learning. The presenter said the trip has been part of the district program for decades, that the vendor did not raise its price this year and that the per‑student cost is about $550; the committee moved and voted to approve the trip and the proposed April 2026 dates for the two student teams.

Under leadership reports, Superintendent-level staff said they generally prefer to fold pay changes into the annual budget but that the district was experiencing difficulty recruiting substitute nurses. "We're having a very hard time recruiting substitute nurses and we're falling behind quickly," said Kelly Bell, department chair for nursing and health services, who asked the committee to raise the substitute rate. Bell said the district currently pays $140 per day and requested a $35 per hour rate to make short assignments and field-trip coverage more competitive.

Following discussion of regional comparators and posting practices for job listings, the committee moved and voted to approve the substitute nurse pay change as presented.

The committee accepted several donations to support district programs, including a $1,000 gift from Coastal Heritage Bank and additional gifts totaling $2,960, $1,000 and $500 to support the IXL/ISL program and related student activities and trips. Program staff described how donations fund student-run enterprises, garden supplies and travel. The committee voted to accept the donations as presented.

Committee members also voted to approve the minutes from the Aug. 25, 2025 meeting. Members received a brief update on a preliminary town financial forecast for next year; leaders described the forecast as very preliminary and said the district and town are coordinating closely. The committee scheduled further budget review and policy work in coming weeks.

The meeting concluded after members raised future agenda items including a middle‑school schedule review and updates on international exchange students.

Votes at a glance

- Approved: 2025–26 School Committee calendar (Sept. 22 moved to Sept. 29 for Rosh Hashanah). Motion made and passed by voice vote. (Proponent: committee member; second: recorded). - Approved: annual in‑state field trip for sixth‑grade teams (April 2026 dates as presented). Motion made and passed by voice vote. - Approved: substitute nurse pay change from $140/day to $35/hour as presented. Motion made and passed by voice vote. - Approved: acceptance of donations (Coastal Heritage Bank $1,000; additional gifts totaling $2,960, $1,000 and $500) for IXL/ISL program. Motion made and passed by voice vote. - Approved: minutes of Aug. 25, 2025. Motion made and passed by voice vote.

The committee did not record roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; outcomes above are recorded as voice votes as stated in the meeting.