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Superintendent highlights national drone title and community initiatives; residents share family histories and staffing concerns
Summary
The superintendent opened with student achievements including a national title for the Brockton High drone team and program updates. In hearing of visitors, Belinda shared her father's WWII memoir and offered the copy to the mayor; Jamie Hodes invited the public to a Juneteenth event; Janet Lander asked the committee to extend her contract amid allegations of retaliation.
The meeting began with the superintendent’s wide-ranging update, which the administration used to highlight student and staff accomplishments and to remind families about summer programming.
Highlights included: Brockton High’s drone team winning a national aerospace robotics championship; BHS multilingual council contributing to a statewide Department of Elementary and Secondary Education newsletter; new inclusive playground communication boards installed at Hancock and Baker schools; and success in mock trial and early-college programs that produced multiple students graduating with associate degrees. The superintendent also repeated registration information for community-school summer programs.
Hearing of visitors featured three speakers. A longtime resident identified as Belinda (transcribed as "Miss Choice") told a personal family history rooted in Brockton’s Campello neighborhood, read excerpts from her late father’s World War II memoir, and offered her unedited copy "to the mayor’s office" and to be made available to local teachers. "I would like to offer my copy," she said during her remarks.
Jamie Hodes, representing the African-American Association of Brockton, invited students, families and staff to the organization’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration on June 13 at East Middle School; the event will include performances, educational exhibits, vendors and free food.
Janet Lander, a 20-year district employee told the committee she was informed in March that her executive assistant position would be eliminated and asked the committee to extend her contract through Dec. 31, 2026 so she can reach retirement at 65. Lander raised concerns about workplace retaliation and said she believes similar positions were later advertised and filled; she asked the committee to consider her request and said she was willing to meet privately with the superintendent.
Why it matters: The superintendent’s items highlight district program successes and outreach opportunities; the public comments reflect personal history, community organizing and a personnel matter flagged for possible follow-up.
Next steps: The superintendent will follow up on program updates; the committee did not take immediate action on the personnel request but indicated it would be available for further discussion with administration.
