School committee approves donations, hears transportation and PD updates

The Marlborough School Committee voted by roll call to approve minutes from its Nov. 26 meeting and to accept several donations, and received operational updates on transportation procurement, paraeducator professional development and Safe Routes to School planning.

The committee approved the minutes of the Nov. 26, 2024 meeting by roll call. The body also accepted donations from Hannaford supermarkets (checks for district schools), Conor Studios (a $1,267 donation), and a contribution from Alexion Pharmaceuticals providing about 120 care packages and winter gear for students; each donation was approved by roll call.

Director of Finance and Operations Mr. Wells reported that bus routes have been finalized and registered in the district system, and that the transportation bid opening has been extended to Jan. 3 to allow vendors more time to respond. He said an addendum and a Q&A packet would be posted for bidders.

Jody O’Brien read the superintendent’s report (submitted by Superintendent Mary Murphy), noting that transportation unreliability during the 2023–24 school year had prompted changes to the district’s weather response policy (including canceling rather than delaying on severe-weather days in some circumstances) and stating that the district’s transportation issues have since been largely resolved.

O’Brien also outlined planned paraeducator professional development for Dec. 11 (round‑robin 25‑minute sessions on Aspen, parent‑portal navigation, Google vs. Microsoft account management, classroom FM systems, and accessibility Chromebook tools) and said the model could be scaled for future staff training.

Committee members asked for the transportation bid addendum and packet to be circulated to members; staff agreed to provide the documents and a tidy bid package for review.

The meeting closed after committee reports, a brief tribute to former long‑serving member Robert Brandon, and a roll‑call motion to adjourn at 8:19 p.m.