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School Committee approves minutes and fundraising, hears budget, policy and operational updates
Summary
At its Oct. 7 meeting the Dartmouth School Committee approved minutes, unanimously approved 2024–2025 PTO fundraising requests and received updates on FY26 budget planning, a cyclical policy-review schedule and district communications, including a new website targeted for Oct. 29.
Dartmouth, Mass. — The Dartmouth School Committee conducted routine business and heard several operational updates at its meeting on Oct. 7.
The committee approved the Regular Session minutes of Sept. 23, 2024 (motion by John Nunes, seconded by Mary Beckwith) by a 5-0 vote. It also approved all 2024–2025 fundraising requests submitted by school PTOs (motion by Nunes, seconded by Beckwith), 5-0. The committee approved the Executive Session minutes from the Sept. 23 joint meeting with the Select Board (motion by Nunes, seconded by Beckwith) with a 3-0 vote; Chair Chris Oliver and Kathleen Amaral abstained from that vote because the minutes were to be held until related matters were completed.
Assistant Superintendent James Kiely reported the district has completed its FY24 end-of-year report and begun meetings with administrators and department heads on the FY26 budget. He proposed a budget subcommittee meeting on Oct. 28 to review preliminary FY26 numbers pulled from those meetings and the newly adopted Strategic Plan; Chair Oliver and member Elizabeth Coughlin confirmed availability for that date.
During public comment, Bob Gauvin, chair of the Dartmouth Finance Committee, asked the committee what 'horizontal and vertical alignment of high quality researched based curriculum' means. Chair Oliver noted public comment is typically not answered during the meeting but invited Superintendent Dr. June Saba-Maguire to explain; she provided an overview tying curriculum alignment to the strategic plan's teaching and learning focus.
Kiely also briefed members on the district’s cyclical policy review. Section A (Foundations and Basic Commitments) was presented for first reading; Kiely said revisions referencing Title IX matters are on hold pending legal counsel and any applicable injunctions. The Wellness Policy will be reviewed by the district Wellness Committee before returning for committee consideration.
District communication and operations updates included a planned launch of a new district website targeted for Oct. 29 and the rollout of ParentSquare to improve family communications. The Quinn School was recognized as a 'School of Recognition.' The committee was reminded to submit superintendent evaluation materials by Oct. 9; a SEPAC meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 and the next regular School Committee meeting will be Oct. 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the DHS Library Media Center. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. on a motion by John Nunes, seconded by Kathleen Amaral (5-0).
Votes at a glance: • Approve Regular Session minutes (Sept. 23, 2024): mover John Nunes; seconder Mary Beckwith — passed 5-0. • Approve Executive Session minutes (Sept. 23, 2024, joint meeting): mover John Nunes; seconder Mary Beckwith — passed 3-0, Chris Oliver and Kathleen Amaral abstained; minutes to be held until matters are completed. • Approve 2024–2025 fundraising requests (Potter, Quinn, DMS, DeMello/Cushman, DSMA): mover John Nunes; seconder Mary Beckwith — passed 5-0. • Adjourn from open session: mover John Nunes; seconder Kathleen Amaral — passed 5-0.
