Ipswich School Committee Newsletter

The Ipswich School Committee is grieving alongside our community over the loss of one of our high school students earlier this month. Counselors have been onsite working with students and staff as they process this tragic event. For support outside of school you can contact:

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (call or text) 833-773-2445

• Eliot Emergency Behavioral Health Services 978-744-1585

• Care Dimensions (grief support groups) 888-283-1722

The Ipswich School Committee held ratification votes on the collective bargaining agreements between the Ipswich Educators’ Association and the Ipswich School Committee on October 17, 2024; we are pleased to announce that the contracts for the educators, paraeducators and education support personnel passed unanimously.

The School Committee recently began negotiations with the Food Services bargaining unit.

In April, the Superintendent and Ipswich School Committee submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for each elementary school, seeking funding assistance for a future school building project. Last month, the School Committee held a workshop to prepare for acceptance into the MSBA program, and to inform the development of a town-wide Strategic Plan. We discussed three primary factors: Educational Plan, Cost and Timing, and Town Sentiment. During our meeting on October 17th, the School Committee voted to take the position to support a single building project that will create a unified community school for all Ipswich elementary students at the site of the current Paul F. Doyon Memorial School. Ipswich will further analyze the project during a Feasibility Study, and will continue to evaluate the option of the model school program in partnership with the MSBA. We are eager to hear from the MSBA in December regarding invitation into the competitive program.

As we continue to value transparency and engagement, we are sharing an open letter to the MSBA from the Ipswich School Committee.

The Whittier Tech District communities are exploring a shared campus with Northern Essex Community College (Haverhill campus). Please visit their webpage for updates, key dates, and feedback opportunities (including listening sessions and a survey): https://www.necc.mass.edu/whittier.

Please also remain informed by signing up for The Wildcat Wire: The Official Newsletter of Whittier Tech.

Carol Sullivan, our town’s School Committee member for the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, can be reached here.

• Updates to the High School Softball Field: The IHS Varsity and JV softball teams historically have played their games at Bialek Park due to lack of a proper field at IHS. The Softball Booster organization has successfully fundraised, in part from Ipswich Education Foundation, and is ready to move forward with plans to improve the youth practice field on the grounds of the Middle/High School with a new field for the JV and Varsity Softball teams. The School Committee voted unanimously to support Softball Boosters in this build.

• FRIES Shed at Doyon: The School Committee voted to support the project brought forth by the Doyon FRIES to build a shed on the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School property. The primary use for the shed will be to house the supplies and items used in the ever popular Doyon “Spooky Walk” event that happens every October.

• Overnight Field Trip Request: Washington, D.C./Philadelphia (8th Grade): This annual trip was unanimously approved.

• Overnight Field Trip Request: Ecology School (6th Grade): This place-based learning adventure was unanimously approved.

• MCAS/Accountability Data Presentation: The Ipswich School Committee heard from Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Tracy Wagner regarding our recently released MCAS scores and trends; please view the 2024 MCAS & Accountability Data Presentation.

• Policy Updates: The School Committee reviewed and approved updates to District policies: ACGB, ACGA, ACA-R, ACAB, ACA, AC-R, and AC. The link to Ipswich Schools Policy Manual can be found on our District Home page and here: Ipswich Schools Policy Manual.

• Thursday, November 7th - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Monday, November 11th - No School, Veterans Day

• Thursday, November 21st - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Wednesday, November 27th - Early Release

• Thursday, November 28th - No School, Thanksgiving Break

• Friday, November 29th - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Continue to stay up to date on district events and school committee news by following Ipswich School Committee on Facebook and Instagram.