Wareham School Committee approves budget transfers, adopts updated bullying policy and ratifies Unit C agreement

The Wareham School Committee approved a package of budget transfers on a roll‑call vote to cover unanticipated costs in substitute staffing, district health contracts, one‑to‑one nursing, special‑education transportation and other lines. Director Kristen told the committee she had highlighted target accounts and said available funds would largely come from substitute salary lines and other under‑spent accounts.

“We have had some increased transportation needs and new out‑of‑district placements since April,” Kristen said, explaining the need for transfers to cover vendor transportation and one‑to‑one services. She said the district had received approximately $370,000–$380,000 in extraordinary relief that helped offset tuition exposure earlier in the year.

A motion to approve the budget transfers was moved and seconded; a roll call recorded affirmative votes from Joyce, April, Kevin, Roger and the Chair and the transfers were adopted. The committee then approved payroll and bill warrants and accepted a $5,000 donation to the high school from the Stone Cultural and Enrichment Fund; committee members asked staff to provide the principal’s plan for allocating the donation.

On policy, the committee approved an updated bullying prevention policy based on MASC recommendations and discussed training and parent curriculum availability. The committee also ratified a memorandum of understanding with Unit C that folded bus monitors into Unit C; members said both Unit C and the committee had ratified the agreement so retroactive pay could be processed.

No items failed; all motions described above were adopted by roll call.