Weymouth School Committee Eyes Bond for Six Modular Classrooms to Ease Overcrowding

WEYMOUTH -- September 26, 2024, Weymouth School Committee moved toward a possible bond vote on modular classrooms to address elementary overcrowding at its September 26 meeting. The facilities master plan subcommittee, working with project manager Hill International and asset manager John McLeod, has developed cost estimates comparing renovation of the Johnson building against installation of up to six modular classroom units; a full presentation is expected at the October 10 meeting, with a vote to follow before the proposal can go to the town council for bonding authority. Safety official Dennis Jones reported that Chapman Middle School's new cell phone-free policy logged just 70 infractions across roughly 6,000 daily student entries in the first 16 days, fewer than 0.1 percent, calling the rollout "an extremely positive success." The committee also unanimously approved Warrant 12-2024, dated September 16, 2024, in the amount of $601,525.78. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Philippe St. Cyr, a Talbot School second-grader who died over the weekend, and for former McCulloch School teacher Elaine DeCosta.