Weymouth School Committee Approves June 20 Last Day, Debates Unapproved Attendance Pilot

WEYMOUTH — April 10, 2025 — Weymouth School Committee learns high school ran attendance buyback policy without approval. The committee took up a first reading of student handbook changes at its April 10 meeting, with the sharpest debate over a Weymouth High School pilot that allowed students at exactly their fifth unexcused term absence to earn back one absence by completing five consecutive days of perfect attendance, clean conduct, and all required classwork — a policy confirmed by Principal Karen Monahan and handbook coordinator Karen Bonner to have operated during the current school year without committee review. Superintendent Robert Curtin and Bonner reported that 51 students had used the buyback. Member Rebecca Nardone said flatly, "You're changing the policy without us — we do need to approve pilots," while member Dana Casna called the policy "very reasonable and logical" given the requirements students must meet. The committee requested per-student frequency data before a second reading, tentatively at the May 1 meeting, and discussed capping buybacks at two per year rather than one per term. The committee also voted unanimously to set June 20, 2025, as the last day of school, a half-day.