School Committee Update - May 27, 2025

Meeting Highlights:

• Members of the Harvard Energy Advisory Committee presented the Decarbonization Plan. If the town and the schools approve the  Decarbonization Plan, the organization will be able to apply to become a Climate Leader and be eligible for up to $1 million dollars of grant funds every three years.The presentation was concluded by sharing the next steps, including the School Committee and Select Board’s approval of the Decarbonization Roadmap, and a signed letter sent to the Department of Energy Resources noting the vote to adopt the plan.

• The School Committee Members discussed and approved an addendum to the Bromfield Middle School Handbook, aligning it with the district's core values.

• The Policy Subcommittee members shared their ongoing work on developing an AI policy for the school district. They discussed the need for balance and criticality in approaching AI use, as well as the importance of providing clear guidelines for teachers and students. The committee aims to have a policy ready for the start of the upcoming school year.

• The School Committee discussed the superintendent evaluation process and their own self-evaluation. For the superintendent evaluation, members will use a rubric focusing on specific goals and standards, with a due date of June 30. With regards to the School Committee self-evaluation, they agree that the evaluation outcome should be aligned with their goals of continuous improvement as well as identifying strengths and areas for growth.

• The School Committee shared the process of hiring a new superintendent. Ms. Besse, School Committee Chair, had a conversation with MASC, Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The Association provided guidance on timeline and options for the search process. Lastly, the committee discussed the importance of transparency and community involvement.