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James P., Walpole High School representative to the School Committee provided the following report:

• Term 2 ended last Monday, January 22nd and report cards will be issued on Tuesday, January 30th.
• The WHS PAC Committee will be meeting in the WHS Media Center on Wednesday, January 31st at 7:00pm to share information about the post-high school planning process.
• The college admissions process and work study programs will be explained in detail. A parent panel will be present to share personal tips and experiences for navigating post-high school options. All are welcome to attend, and it is especially encouraged that parents of younger students attend.
• The Walpole Scholarship Foundation Application cycle is now open. Any Walpole resident applying for or participating in a four-year bachelor’s program, an associate degree program, or a technical certificate program is eligible to apply for a scholarship. The application deadline is February 1, 2024 at noon. To apply please visit www.walpolescholarshipfoundation.org/apply.
• A trivia night fundraiser is being held on February 2, 2024 for The Walpole Scholarship Foundation. Tickets can be purchased online at: http://tinyurl.com/wsftrivtix.
• The Music Department is offering private lessons throughout this spring for grades 4-12. Registration Closes January 29th. https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview.
• Walpole High School’s Work Study Program is seeking donations of new or gently used hand tools relevant to various trades: carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, automotive, and more. Donations can be dropped-off in the main office at Walpole High School or a donation pick up can be arranged.
• Yearbook recognition ads are due by January 31st. Class Dues must be paid by January 31st in order to receive a yearbook.
• Clubs continue to meet regularly. The Photography Club next meets on January 25th and the theme is Books.
• STEM academy will be meeting on January 29th to discuss junior and senior project requirements and to check in with all grades.
• Hockey, Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, and Winter Track teams continue to work hard through the season with many ups and downs in each. We need a stronger student section showing support to our athletes. We are hoping for a strong finish for all. Spring Registration opens January 29th.

1. Science Update - Meme O'Malley, Science Department Chair at Walpole High School, delivered a Science curriculum update. The full report can be viewed here at time marker 7:00.

2. Vote on Tentative FY '25 Budget - The School Committee voted on a tentative FY '25 budget in the amount of $56,107,557.

3. Preschool Tuition Discussion - The School Committee received a presentation comparing preschool tuition costs in neighboring communities. Julie Martin, Director of the Daniel Feeney Preschool, proposed a 2% annual tuition increase each year for the next three years to accommodate the rising cost of living. After deliberation, the School Committee voted to endorse the proposal approving an increase to the Daniel Feeney Preschool tuitions by 2% for 2024-2025, 2% for 2025-2026 and 2% for 2026-2027.

4. Athletic Department Financial Update - Walpole High School Athletic Director Ron Dowd provided a financial status update on the Athletic Program. The report included revenues and expenses such as transportation, gate receipts, athletic trainer services, referee/umpire fees, police detail, user fees and other associated costs. The School Committee voted to table this item and agreed to form a subgroup to study the Athletic budget further.

Citizen Kristin Bowden was present at the meeting along with Jen Zahurak. Ms. Bowden indicated she appreciated Mr. Dowd's very detailed presentation regarding the Athletic Department needs. She further indicated that she would be thrilled to have a conversation with the School Committee about what the Boosters provide to the Athletic Department.

Dr. Gough reported the following:

• WPS had a successful EdCamp on January 12th. The day, themed Elevating Student Voice, was designed to provide participant-driven professional development for educators. There were also outside presenters. SC members were provided with examples of workshop sessions
• Earlier this morning, the first of several Planning for Success sessions was held. The work, facilitated by Dr. Ruth Gilbert Whitner, consisted of multiple members of our school community. The Team will assist in gathering feedback so that together we may envision the future of the Walpole Public Schools.
• Walpole students were highlighted in this week’s METCO news. Students in the METCO program spent a day in Boston with a travel buddy from Walpole. They took a college tour, visited METCO Headquarters, and visited its historical exhibit

• Dr. Gough explained Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM) that DESE conducts every three years in districts to ensure state and federal laws and regulations are being followed.

• Title I Night will be held on January 31st (5:30 pm -7:30 pm) at Boyden Elementary School.

• Extended Day will offer a February Vacation Camp for the upcoming school break on February 20- February 22 (Tuesday - Thursday) The Vacation Camp is open to all Walpole Schools students in grades K - 5. Click HERE to register. February 7th is the last day to register

• Kindergarten Registration: To pre-register a kindergarten-age-qualified child, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration form (scroll down to Kindergarten pre-registration). Kindergarten-age-qualified are children who have turned five (5) years old before September 1 of the school year for which they are pre-registering. If you are unable to drop off documents to your neighborhood school during the day, the Superintendents’ Office (135 School Street, Room 204) is open on Monday and Wednesday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Tuesday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM and Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

1. Re-vote Corrected 2024-2025 School Year Calendar - A clerical error was made on the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar provided to the School Committee and voted on at the previous January 11, 2024 meeting. A corrected 2024-2025 Calendar reflecting the accurate date for the Columbus Day holiday on October 14, 2024 was approved by the School Committee. The calendar can be accessed here.

2. Middle School Building Project - Mr. Breen provided an update to the Middle School project. He indicated the project is still on-time and on-budget. Additionally, Dr. Gough and Dr. Hahn reported that the Middle School Unity Transition group continues to meet, as they continue planning for student and staff transition, communication, and developing core values. A reminder that a project timeline and three-week look ahead schedule can be located on the middle school webpage. The community is encouraged to visit the webpage and reach out to the Middle School Project team with any questions or comments via email at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.

3. High School Project - Mrs. Syrek provided an update on the high school project. A meeting was held today and the project is on track to receive designs by the end of February. Additionally, it was mentioned that the project will be put out for bid in July for the full design. However, there is also consideration for completing the project in phases. Mrs. Denitzio shared information about planned funding for the project, which was recently provided by the Town Administrator.