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Newburyport School Committee approves $466,644.63 warrant, reviews DIP, memorial tree and daycare plans
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting the Newburyport School Committee returned from executive session, approved a $466,644.63 warrant, adopted June 16 minutes (two abstentions), reviewed a plan to remove a failing memorial beech at Newburyport High, and heard that a new district daycare will open Sept. 2.
The Newburyport School Committee met Aug. 18, 2025, at the Senior/Community Center. Vice Chair Juliet Walker called the meeting to order; the committee entered executive session at 6:32 PM and returned to open session at 7:14 PM.
The committee approved the warrant in the amount of $466,644.63 on a motion by School Committee member Brian Callahan, seconded by Mayor Sean Reardon. The committee also voted to adopt the minutes of the June 16 meeting; Brian Callahan and Sarah Hall were recorded as abstentions.
Superintendent Sean Gallagher briefed members on several items including the status of a memorial beech tree at Newburyport High School, feedback on the district's draft 2025'027 District Improvement Plan, staffing and school-choice numbers, and a new district daycare scheduled to open Sept. 2. Committee members offered edits to the School Committee goals draft and suggested adding an AI-related goal; Juliet Walker said she would correct the goals document date to "July 2025 '025."
Votes at a glance
- Motion to enter executive session (to discuss possible contract negotiations/legal matters): moved by Sarah Hall, seconded by Brian Callahan; passed on roll call (Mayor Sean Reardon absent). - Warrant approval: moved by Brian Callahan, seconded by Mayor Sean Reardon; approved, $466,644.63. - Adoption of June 16 minutes: moved by Mayor Sean Reardon, seconded by Breanna Higgins; approved (Brian Callahan and Sarah Hall abstained). - Adjournment: moved by Brian Callahan, seconded by Mayor Sean Reardon; approved at 8:04 PM.
Why this matters: The committee's votes complete routine fiscal and procedural business ahead of the school year, while discussion items such as the District Improvement Plan and the memorial tree will affect facility planning and district priorities. The superintendent said he will seek more detailed follow-up information where members requested it.
The committee set several subcommittee meeting dates and deadlines, including a Sept. 18 Finance Subcommittee meeting and a Sept. 12 deadline for committee members to submit superintendent evaluations to Mayor Reardon for compilation by the Sept. 22 meeting.
