Weymouth School Committee advances high school handbook revisions on first reading

WEYMOUTH — April 9, 2026 — Weymouth School Committee advanced high school handbook revisions and an early college pathway proposal at its April 9 meeting. The committee heard a first reading of changes to the high school student handbook, including a new attendance reduction policy that would drop a student's grade 10 points — rather than automatically to 59 — after five unexcused absences in a term, a change supported by 72 percent of staff surveyed last year. The board voted 5-1 to reject hosting a School Committee information table at the district's Kindergarten Here We Come event, with Chair Graziano warning that a publicly stated commitment to attend regardless of the vote could constitute an open meeting law violation. Assistant Superintendent Karen Monaghan presented a largely unchanged program of studies for the coming year, citing budget uncertainty, but flagged a potential early college high school designation from DESE — developed over two and a half years with Quincy College — that would allow underrepresented students to accumulate more than 20 college credits before graduation, with a decision expected by late May. The committee also approved Warrant 40-2026 for $761,221.44 and heard a safety update on Ralph Talbot School, where MassDOT is this spring installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons, new signage, and high-visibility crosswalks on Route 228.