===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, May 15, 2025 LHMS Collaborative Room #D132 6:30 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Brian Lehtinen, Chair - Present Dr. Kate Burnham Anthony Sculimbrene, Vice Chair - Present Carol Archambault, Secretary - Present Peter Beardmore, Member - Present Laura Brzozoski, Member - Present Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadc ast live over the Lunenburg Public Access channel, on Facebook Live on the Public Access Facebook page. (http://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be uploaded to the Lunenburg Access YouTube after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law 1. Call to Order by Mr. Lehtinen at 6:30 pm 2. Public Comment Mr. Lehtinen reads aloud a welcome letter to the new superintendent Dr. Jodi Fortuna. Dear Lunenburg family, staff, and community members we are excited to share that Lunenburg School Committee has voted to appoint Dr. Jodi Fortuna as the next superintendent of Lunenburg Public Schools beginning July 1 2025. Dr. Fortuna comes to us with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership and a deep commitment to student achievement, inclusive practices, and a strong school community. She currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in the Brookline Public Schools where she has led important district-wide instructional initiatives and worked closely with educators’ families and community partners. Her professional background also includes numerous leadership roles including Assistant Superintendent in Boston Public Schools, Principal Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Hudson Public Schools, Principal at Narragansett Regional School, and Assistant Principal at Northridge Public Schools. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher in the Dudley - Charlton Regional School District. She has continued to center her work on supporting all learners and empowering staff. Dr Fortuna holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Boston College and she brings a collaborative of out outcomes driven approach to school leadership. Throughout the search process Dr Fortuna impressed us with her thoughtful vision, her understanding of district systems, and her ability to bring people together. She is dedicated to listening, learning, and working in partnership with students’ educators, families, and the entire Luneburg community. This appointment follows a rigorous and inclusive search process that included public finalist interviews as well as a screening subcommittee made up of school staff, union representatives, town officials, parents, and Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Kate Burnham, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 community members. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed time, insights and feedback throughout the process we look forward to welcoming Dr Fortuna to Lunenburg and beginning a new chapter together. She will be working closely with the school committee and current leadership to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our schools 3. Executive Session: to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to enter executive session at 6:33 Mr. Beardmore seconds the motion, all approve via roll call. Committee returns at 6:43 4. New Business Action a. Superintendent Contract Mr. Sculimbrene and Ms. Archambault met with Dr. Fortuna on Tuesday. The contract includes an annual salary of $174,000, we accepted the request to reimburse her for the membership fee of American Association of Superintendent which is $485 per year. This is a 3 year contract with a 2 ½% raise each year. Ms. Archambault makes a motion to accept the contract, Mr. Beardmore seconds the motion all approve via roll call vote. 5. Old Business a. First Read 3601.1 Bus Fee Policy Ms. Brzozoski reads the policy out loud. 6. Public Comment 7. Adjournment Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to adjourn at 6:52, Mr. Beardmore seconds the motion, all approve via roll call vote Respectfully Submitted Courtney Fuller