At the May 13, 2025 meeting, the School Committee received and heard the following presentations:

The Committee learned from Superintendent David Lussier that Friday, June 20, 2025 will be the final day of school for all Wellesley schools for SY2024-25. This is a half-day for students. As such, Wednesday, June 18 will be a full day for students at all levels, including our elementary schools. There is no school on Thursday, June 19, due to the district observing the federal Juneteenth National Independence Day, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

The Committee heard the annual presentation of WHS assessments. The presentation included an overview of the WHS Class of 2024 demographics, SAT/ACT participation and results, WHS 11th grade PSAT results (taken during Step Up Day each fall) for the past 6 years, and Advanced Placement (AP) test participation and results. Finally, it included post secondary enrollment information for the WHS Class of 2017 (most recent complete data set of post secondary data) and the WHS Class of 2022 (most recent class with some post secondary information). The administration will continue to monitor the results of these assessments and use the information to better understand and adjust, as necessary, students’ pathways to secondary success. Concerted effort will be made to reduce disproportionality in higher level classes.

The Committee then heard a presentation on the recommendations of the Superintendent’s Cell Phone Working Group. The Cell Phone Working Group was established in fall 2024 to evaluate and develop procedures regarding student cell phone use across all school levels to respond to growing concerns regarding the impact of student cell phone use on academic performance, attention, and social-emotional well-being. This report is a culmination of that work and outlines the group's findings. It proposes revised cell phone procedures for SY 2025-26 aimed at mitigating these negative impacts and fostering a more positive learning environment. Details (including exceptions) are in the link. Highlights include:

Elementary - bell to bell restriction on smartwatches and cell phones
Middle School - entry to exit restriction with use of lockable pouches
High School - cell phone parking system in every classroom

Thanks to all those who participated in this working group!

The Committee then heard a presentation of the RFP process to determine a new venue to house the Launch Program, which provides a post-high school education for students aged 18 to 22 with complex language, learning, and cognitive disabilities. This memo reviews the terms of a proposed lease at Regis College to house this program, which the administration believes will create exciting new possibilities for the program. The Committee also heard a related proposal outlining the recommended tuition rates for the Launch Program at this new venue. Similar to other specialized programs, WPS students do not pay tuition, but students of other districts may be able to utilize the program and those districts pay tuition to WPS.

The Committee then heard an update on student enrollment for SY 2025-26. This is a high-level check-in on a very dynamic process. The Administration will be monitoring and updating enrollment changes and making corresponding staffing and placement decisions throughout the summer and all during the school year. A comprehensive update will be presented to the Committee in October 2025.

The Committee then heard an update on the RFP process to contract for district-wide counseling services and the recommended proposal to renew the contract with Human Relations Service (HRS) - a Wellesley-based non-profit mental health agency - for the Committee’s consideration. The Committee will vote on this at the next Committee meeting.

The Committee then heard a presentation from Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Cindy Mahr, on the district’s FY’25 Quarter Three Report. The district continues to operate within its FY '25 balanced budget.

Coming up…….

School Committee Meetings:

5/27 School Committee Meeting 6:30 pm (Zoom)

School Committee Office Hours:

6/11 School Committee Office Hours 7:00 pm (Zoom) Sign up here

Click to access documents from the May 13, 2025 meeting.

Click to watch the meeting on Wellesley Media.

Click to sign up for upcoming School Committee Office Hours.