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Newburyport School Committee approves $389,262.58 in warrants; superintendent reports daycare and media lab openings
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting the Newburyport School Committee approved warrants totaling $389,262.58, heard that Little Clips Daycare opened in the Bresnahan and that the high school Video & Media Lab was renovated, and reviewed FY27 budget planning and subcommittee schedules.
The Newburyport School Committee on Sept. 2 approved warrants totaling $389,262.58 and heard updates on a new daycare and a renovated media lab as district leaders outlined budget planning and upcoming subcommittee work.
Vice Chair Juliet Walker called the business meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.; roll call showed all members present except Andrew Boger and Mayor Sean Reardon, who arrived later. The committee approved Warrant 8159 (FY25) and Warrant 8160 (FY26) on a motion by Brian Callahan, seconded by Sarah Hall, totaling $389,262.58.
Superintendent Sean Gallagher reported that Little Clips Daycare opened that day in the Bresnahan facility and that the Newburyport High School Video & Media Lab has been renovated; he said the district will schedule a ribbon-cutting for both projects in late September or early October. Gallagher also told the committee that the district is "in good shape for opening day," noting the district is nearly fully staffed though a few instructional assistants remain to be hired. Committee member Sarah Hall suggested sending a reminder to families to sign up for the district app.
The committee adopted the Aug. 18 meeting minutes with a correction to the Superintendent’s Evaluation Subcommittee timeline: evaluation forms are to be submitted to Mayor Sean Reardon by Sept. 12 and will be compiled for review at the Sept. 22 meeting. The committee discussed school committee goals, adding a goal addressing district AI practices and policies.
Members reviewed a tentative FY27 budget calendar and recommended additional steps to broaden engagement and clarity: hold an orientation for new City Council members in early 2026, obtain clearer guidance from the mayor for joint School Committee/City Council budget meetings, continue joint meetings and public listening sessions, provide more detailed budget reports earlier in the process, and add "SIP" to the budget-timeline abbreviation key. Vice Chair Walker suggested placing a budget draft on the next Finance Committee agenda.
Subcommittee chairs gave scheduling updates: Finance (Brian Callahan) will meet Sept. 18 at 9:00 a.m.; Policy (Kathleen Shaw) will meet Sept. 29 at 7:00 p.m. in Central Office; Communications (Sarah Hall) will meet Sept. 18 at 10:00 a.m.; Teaching & Learning anticipates an early October first meeting. The Superintendent’s Evaluation Subcommittee reiterated the Sept. 12 deadline for evaluation forms.
Gallagher summarized summer professional development offerings for staff, including a two-day leadership retreat, a Day of AI, multiple training classes and a three-day New Teacher Orientation in August.
There was no new business. On a motion by Brian Callahan, seconded by Mayor Sean Reardon, the committee voted to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approve warrants (Warrants 8159/8160): motion by Brian Callahan; seconded by Sarah Hall; approved; amount $389,262.58. Mayor Reardon and Andrew Boger absent at time of vote. - Adopt minutes (Aug. 18) with correction to evaluation timeline: motion by Breanna Higgins; seconded by Brian Callahan; approved. Mayor Reardon and Andrew Boger absent. - Adjourn meeting: motion by Brian Callahan; seconded by Mayor Sean Reardon; approved. Andrew Boger absent.
