Weymouth School Committee Approves $17.3 Million Capital Plan Amid Contract Pressure

WEYMOUTH -- February 2, 2023, Weymouth teachers and parents packed a School Committee meeting to demand resolution of the stalled Unit A contract as the board approved a $17.3 million capital request list for fiscal year 2024. Nine speakers filled public comment on the evening of February 2, with a parent citing DESE data showing Weymouth ranks ninth out of 11 comparable districts in average teacher salary and was the only one trending downward, while a paraprofessional disclosed working a second job because the position does not pay a living wage. Assistant Superintendent Rich Bransfield reported that 1,236 of 1,474 elementary students tested in reading scored in the green or yellow performance bands this winter, up from 1,069 in the fall, with iReady typical annual growth reaching 86 percent. The board unanimously accepted the budget subcommittee reports from January 18 and January 25, which flagged a 14 percent spike in special education out-of-district tuition as the sharpest FY24 cost driver, and set a final budget vote for March 23, 2023.