Committee votes to name Coakley broadcast studio for Jack Tolman; approves $17,360 cybersecurity grant

The committee unanimously approved a motion to name the new Coakley Middle School broadcast studio the Jack Tolman Broadcast Studio in recognition of Tolman's decades of service to the district and Norwood Community Media. Dr. Luff presented the naming recommendation and read community testimonials about Tolman's contributions to student learning and local media; members supported the tribute and the voice vote carried without opposition.

Separately, Dr. Luff introduced an unanticipated late agenda item: a state cybersecurity grant of $17,360 intended to bolster email security and increase data-loss-prevention capabilities in Google Drive. He said the grant arrived after the agenda was posted and that the district intends to begin using the funds in July; committee members asked whether the funds were for training or additional defenses and Dr. Luff clarified the grant is for security defenses (not training). A motion to accept and authorize expenditure of the grant passed by voice vote.

Dr. Luff also announced the appointment of Amy Carr as an administrative assistant to support enrollment, registration and school-committee work; Carr was introduced as present at the meeting.