Weymouth School Committee Approves Chapman Middle School Six-Block Schedule Overhaul

WEYMOUTH -- May 14, 2026, Weymouth School Committee unanimously approves a schedule overhaul at Chapman Middle School while a counselor warns of a mental health staffing crisis. The board voted without opposition May 14 to accept a memorandum of understanding with the Weymouth Education Association converting Chapman from a seven-block to a six-block rotating schedule and extending class periods from 48 to 55 minutes, effective with the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Jennifer Curtis-Whipple announced that Diane Babcock, formerly of Quincy Public Schools, will serve as the new Pingree School principal, and that the district is eliminating its Director of English Learners and World Language position to fund a new Assistant Director of Special Education. Adjustment counselor Karen Putnam used the public comment period to tell the board that nine counseling positions have been cut at Chapman over the past five years, that her current caseload is 78 percent general education students, and to demand the reinstatement of a colleague being transferred away: "I implore you to look at every single line item, every single non-student-facing position, and reinstate this position." The board also tabled a dispute over whether April 16 Policy Subcommittee minutes satisfied open meeting law requirements.