# school-committee — 14 documents, concatenated for reading and search # # This is a CONVENIENCE BUNDLE, not a source. Every document below is # published separately and byte-identically; cite the individual file, # whose path is given in each header, rather than this bundle. # Index of all boards: https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/minutes/INDEX.txt # The town's own scanned original is linked per document. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-04-01-minutes-7748.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-04-01 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-04-01-minutes-7748.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04012026-7748 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, April 1, 2026 LMHS 6:30 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene Chair - Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair - Present Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Present Emily Young, Member - Present Member,TBD Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator, Christopher Stevens – Director of Facilities 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 Ac cess 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 at 7:00 by Mr. Sculimbrene 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment Eden Perrine 18 White Tail Crossing I am going to advocate about school sports counting as gym credits for high school students. I have multiple reasons behind why this would be beneficial for students and for the athletic department. The first supporting reason this would be beneficial is that it would increase the number of people involved in school sports. If students could free their schedule of a gym class and instead play an afterschool sport it would allow students to fulfill other credits while still being able to take classes they are interested in taking. An increase in the number of kids trying out for sports they would be interested in participating would be instrumental as the teams would be bigger. In the fall of 2025, the boys varsity and jv soccer teams barely had enough students to field a game. They resorted to a large number of players swinging for both teams. With more students on the team, they would be able to have two full teams, which would fill the field positions and still leave substitutions. There have been multiple studies showcasing that students who participate in after school sports have overall better mental health. A study published in the journal of adolescent health found that students who play an afterschool sport had less stress and better mental health as young adults. In a study, they surveyed 850 students from 10 different schools about participation in school sports and met up with them again 3 years after graduation and found those that were involved in school sports had lower depression symptoms, lower stress, and better mental health than those who did not play any sports. The study co-author Katherine Sabistston even made the statements “team sports offer a heightened emphasis on group goals, social support, and sense of connection that provides more opportunity for learning adaptive coping strategies that can be essential or long –term mental health” She explains that students playing after school sports had a good increase in mental health even as they Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 got older. Another reason supporting the idea of after school sports counting for credit is that more people joining sports teams would increase the income as students would pay athletic fees and more parents/guardians attending these games would add to the interest fee revenue. We won’t have to worry about students not doing PE either. Those who don’t do any sports would still apply for gym credits and those who like it will continue. I asked 53 people from a mixture of grades, non-student athletes vs school athletes to get the students perspective. I created an anonymous survey and the results showed that 100% of students said they supported the idea and would be willing to join an afterschool sport if they didn’t already if this were to pass. Though one was concerned that they enjoyed PE and played an after school sport, I explained they were still able to choose gym as a class. My last point explaining why this would be beneficial is that students should be able to take classes they look forward to while taking other credit inducing classes. Kids could take two semesters of other credit gain classes while still being able to be in classes that they were interested in. This is why I think that income-wise, mental health wise, participation wise and schedule wise this would be beneficial if the school adopted the idea that after school sports could count as PE credits for high school. Dave Rogers, 82 Highland Street I have been a resident for 50 years, I am a concerned citizen about a whole bunch of different things. I don’t think I have heard anyone say if we do an override we will rid ourselves of this problem, I hear just the opposite, it may be a few years, how long? Who knows? So before I vote on something I’d really like the whole enchilada, as they say. What is the best projection that we can do so we can have a long range and short range ideas? I know I don’t have to tell you things are pretty tough today. Number 2 we talk about a lot of things, but not necessarily the building and the programs that we need as we go on, its scattered her or there and that plays a big role in costs. I’ve heard rumblings about, but no real discussion that centers around bleachers, turf, and the buildings and that all equates to money. The Lions Club started the food pantry at TCP, they take care of thousands of people a month, when this idea first came about and I was asked to help out if I could, I said yes, but I didn’t think there was a big demand, and I was wrong. Thanksgiving we gave out two big boxes of food to 125 plus families, this is a testament to the fact that things are not good right now. I was in CVS one time and there was an elderly lady in front of me talking to the pharmacist and said “well, you really really have to take these pills, twice a day” and the lady said, well I ran out to quick, and the pharmacist said let me see what I can do, he took her aside and told her there was a special on the prescription, but it is only good if you take it as it is prescribed. She said ok I will try. He said you can take two pills every single day for 90 days and we will see what we can do after that. And she said, oh thank you, I hope I will feel better. Can you imagine talking to your grandmother or your aunt? It happens and it happens around here. I went into my pocket and made sure that lady would be taken care of. For those of you that don’t know, we have had two tragedies in this town when young people had horrific accidents and we pulled together, we build houses, we bought houses, because one of the youngsters was accepted at the University of Florida on a doctorate and the other one needed some help, so we get it done. The point is we made it happen. I have confidence we will continue to do that, but we need to keep our heads on straight Laura Brzozoski May 2, Saturday is town meeting, you need to come and vote and then Saturday May 16th is the election. The override has to pass at both town meeting and the ballot box, you need to sign up for both. Mandy Gilman I took 3 students, 2 seniors and 1 junior, from Lunenburg High School yesterday to testify at the state house in support of more school funding. It was a great day, Jason, Jade, and Kara were thoughtful and interested and I hope they enjoyed it. I had a great day, but I do want people to know although depressing listening to all the schools, it is not just a Lunenburg problem, this is a statewide problem. I am always going to hopeful that Margaret Scarsdale, our state rep is working incredibly hard to push though changes to Chapter 70 formula. I am hoping we will get the override and limp through a few years and that the Chapter 70 formula changes. ===PAGE 3=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 4. Chairs Report – I spoke with Capital Planning this morning and can confirm that there are three things that capital plan proposed on our behalf that were approved by the town manager and were the two feasibility studies for the primary school, one for driveway and playground, also the cameras system for the entrance 5. Student Representative Report – None 6. Superintendents Report Dr. Fortuna highlights our students and the why behind our work, she shares some recent experiences in the classrooms. We have had a busy week with many committee meetings and to ensure the community remains fully informed we have officially launched the districts FY27 budget and FAQ web page that can be found on our main website. 7. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 2/4/26 & 2/25/26 Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Brzozoski seconds the motion all approve. The minutes are approved for 2/4/26 by the full committee. The minutes on 2/25/26 are approved with 1 abstention , 8. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers b. Warrants 3/18/26 to 3/27/26 $368,414.29 c. Donations – Betsy B. Parker Scholarship – funds were accepted, at the time the transfer from the estate to the executor, the funds were not available, once this is resolved we will bring back to the committee. 9. New Business Action a. Congressionally Directed Grant Funds seeking $300,000 in one time funding to address increasing student needs. Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion that the committee authorize the superintendent to submit an FY 27 congressionally directed spending proposal titled Lunenburg Districtwide Instructional Implementation System Development Initiative in the amount of $300,000 to work with our legislative delegation to advance this request, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. b. Monthly Spending Report Chris McNamara has shared an updated monthly spending report Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to accept the report, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. c. Spring Athletics Report The committee has received an updated spring athletics report in their folder. Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to accept the report, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. d. Food Exemption – ATM Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to approve the waiver for the food and covered beverages in the LMHS auditorium for the boards during the town meeting, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve. e. Buss Fee Decision Ms. Gilman makes a motion to accept the bus fee, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve f. Life Long Learning Program Decision After a discussion of the program, including costs and participation it is decided to discontinue this program for the time being. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to sunset the Life long learning program effective June 1 2026, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve g. Draft letter for Legislature Ms. Gilman drafted a letter to the Senate Ways and Means and House Ways and Means chairs and our legislators regarding the budget situations Mr. Sculimbrene ===PAGE 4=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 makes a motion to approve the letter and have it sent out, Ms. Brzozoski seconds the motion all approve. h. Vote to cosponsor the warrant article for Kids Kingdom with the Select board To ensure this goes on the agenda at Town Meeting the committee votes again. Ms., Gilman makes a motion to cosponsor the warrant for Kids Kingdom with the Select board, Ms. Brzozoski seconds the motion all approve 10. Old Business Action a. Facilities and Grounds Report Mr. Stevens shares an update on the Facilities and Grounds Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to accept the report, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the report, all approve 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight Ms. Young I am struggling with the unified sports, I would like it to be a bigger conversation at some time. I don’t want it to be swept under the rug. I’d like to look at it again and see what we can do for kids with disabilities. 12. Reports from Sub-Committees Ms. Brzozoski the school advisory committee for the middle school met and talked about the grade 8 world language and the override, middle school sports being in the restoration budget, one of our students is doing the Project 351 with cradles to crayons clothing drive, Julia Melvin is representing Lunenburg. Ms. Young April 2, PACSAL will be meeting at the Middle High School at 6 pm and they will be doing a planting project. Ms. Gilman The PTO raised over $15,000 at the Special Someone Dance. I want to thank everyone. We had our Great Wolf Lodge fundraiser that went really well. There is a movie night on Saturday to see the Super Mario Bros. at 10 am The Primary School Advisory Board met we talked about the changes in schedules. The MCAS is happening at Turkey Hill Mr. Sculimbrene The High School advisory is meeting on Thursday, we need to do one policy subcommittee before the end of the year Dr. Fortuna The committee should start thinking about my evaluation and also I have an announcement that the principal at Turkey Hill next year will be Mr. McGrath from the Middle school. You will see two postings Dr. Beth Anne Cormier has announced her retirement, we will have an entirely new administrative team at Turkey Hill 13. Topics for Future Discussion contract negotiations, HR report 14. Adjournment Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to adjourn at 8:50, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-04-15-agenda-7768.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-04-15 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-04-15-agenda-7768.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04152026-7768 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 REVISED SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary TBD, Member Courtney Fuller Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator, Sibyl Kaufman-LEAF, Kim Sarfde-Director of Teaching & Learning In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdspPfhHCb This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are 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 also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 11. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 12. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 13. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 14. Adjournment 5. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 3/4/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations- (3 min) a. Warrants 8. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 9. New Business Action a. Leaf Grant Funds (3 min) b. Prism II & III Grant & Fresh Grant Proposals2026 c. Scholarship Tax EIN’s(3 min) d. Unified Sports & Co-ops(3 min) e. Budget Quarterly Report(3 min) f. Personnel Report(3 min) g.SC Representative for Negotiations(3 min) h.Superintendent Evaluation (5 min) i. First Read Policies 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, 5701.01 Administration of Medications, 1303.1 Advertising in the Schools 10. Old Business Action a. Warrant Articles (3 min) Discussion b. School Committee Goals (3 min Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-04-15-minutes-7768.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-04-15 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-04-15-minutes-7768.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04152026-7768 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, April 15, 2026 LMHS 7:00 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene Chair - Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair - Absent Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Present Emily Young, Member - Present Member,TBD Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator, Dr. Kimberly Sarfde – Director of Teaching and Learning, Sibyl Kaufman - LEAF 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 at 7:05 by Dr. Fortuna 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment Mandy Gilman, I thank both the chair and the superintendents for their comments, we have worked collaboratively for a long time over the last eight months with the rest of the town. There has been a lot of discussion about why there is not an option for level services funding, I feel strongly that the town, when they didn’t endorse the override last year, asked the group of leaders in the town to get together and think about a long term plan. A long term plan is difficult in municipal finance, but the reason our budgets that are being represented include a few different things is because the goal of the tri board process was to think two to three years in advance, and I think that some of that is getting lost in the conversations. 4. Chairs Report – I have watched as the debate online and in other places has unfolded and I want to make two comments. Everybody in town who did not watch the tri board meeting process, which I don’t blame you if you didn’t, has to realize that process gave us so much different access to the town’s budgeting process then we have ever had before. This process and how it unfolded over the last eight months really did engage in a collaborative process to build budgets. The town charter makes clear that we are responsible for the school district’s budget and the town and select board are responsible for their budget. While the select board has an oversight role over the entire budget, they really are separate and distinct. This year, it felt like everybody was making sure everyone else knew where they were and what was going on. We have never seen so much detail about each town department. The second thing is while everyone has opinions, and everyone has the right to their opinions, at the end of the day we are Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 all still neighbors. If someone, who is your neighbor disagrees with you, or you see fights on Facebook, remember that we are all neighbors. If we are all fighting, it is a beautiful spring in New England, close your laptops, push your keyboards away and go for a walk. 5. Student Representative Report – The Primary School has their first grade field trip on May 26. Turkey Hill has their third grade field trip on May 27, fourth grade trip is May 29 and the fifth grade is June 3rd. The Middle school has their play tomorrow, called Are you Scared Yet. There is a family DC meeting in the auditorium right now. The students going to Greece leave on Friday. If you visit our website there is a updated information for the seniors. Next week is school vacation. April 30th is a PTO fundraiser at Launch. Bus sign ups close on May1st, May 2nd is Town meeting, May 16th is Town election, May 25th there is no school in observance of Memorial Day and June 18th is the last day of school. 6. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 3/4/26 Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. , 7. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers None b. Warrants $18,547.98 c. Donations – Visual Arts student scholarship, this is 2 one time scholarships for a graduating senior donated by the artisans of Hickory Hills care of Donna Silverstein Ms. Gilman makes a motion to accept the donation, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve 8. Superintendents Report Dr. Fortuna addresses the upcoming town budget and Proposition 2 ½ override votes. The dedication this community shows to our students and schools is wonderful. There is a strong emphasis on “one town” we all work together. April 28th at 7:00 at the Eagle House, I invite anyone with questions to come meet with our town representatives. 9. New Business Action a. Leaf Grant Funds Sybil Kaufman, president of LEAF, gives an update for the status of LEAF, to date $8,366 has been raised. The grant cycle will start May 1, 2026 b. Prism II & III Grant and Fresh Grant Proposals 2026 Dr. Sarfde presents two grants, one is a farm to table grant, and has worked with our Food Service Director to determine how this would be used and implemented. Ms. Young makes a motion to accept the proposal, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve. Dr. Sarfde explains the Prism II and Prism III grants. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the submission of the Prism III grant proposal to DESE in the amount of $72,250, Ms. Young seconds the motion, all approve. The Prism III grant is for curriculum materials for high quality instruction and potential some professional development, focusing on pre-k to grade 5 Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the submission of Prism III grant, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve c. Scholarship Tax EIN’s the committee has been provided the legal opinion in their folders tonight with their assertions. We are currently determining whose tax id numbers all the scholarships are using. d. Unified Sports and Co -ops Dr. Fortuna shares information with the committe e regarding available unified sports and options. Ms. Hanscom shares her perspective on our district culture and availability of activities to any and all students e. Budget Quarterly Report Mr. McNamara shares the recent quarterly report ===PAGE 3=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 f. Personnel Report Ms. Peterson has provided the committee with the updated personnel report g. SC Representative for Negotiations Mr. Sculimbrene and Ms. Young will do the cafeteria negotiations and Ms. Brzozoski and Ms. Gilman will do the custodial negotiations h. Superintendent Evaluation Dr. Fortuna has added her list of goals and the different artifacts linked to her goals into the committees folder to utilize and prepare the evaluation i. First Read Policies 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, 5701.01 Administration of Medication, 1303.01 Advertising in Schools Ms. Gilman makes a motion to waive the first reading of policy 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to waive the first reading of policy 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to waive the first reading of policy 5701.01 Administration of Medication. Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to waive the first reading of policy 1303.01 Advertising in schools, Ms. Young seconds the motion, all approve 10. Old Business Action a. Warrant Articles the committee has the link to the warrant article in their folder Discussion b. School Committee Goals the goals are added to the committees’ folder, the future of Turkey Hill, the Primary School parking lot and driveway. 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight None 12. Reports from Sub-Committees Ms. Gilman reports the House budget came out today and it does include $160 per kid more than originally though and a little bit more in circuit breaker money, not sure on the amount yet 13. Topics for Future Discussion 14. Adjournment Ms. Gilman makes a motion to adjourn at 8:46, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-05-06-agenda-7798.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-05-06 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-05-06-agenda-7798.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05062026-7798 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 REVISED SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary TBD, Member Courtney Fuller Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator, Kim Sarfde-Director of Teaching & Learning, Chris Stevens -Director of Facilities In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdspPfhHCb This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are 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 also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 11. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 12. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 13. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 14. Adjournment 5. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 3/18/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations- Women’s Club Gift Cards & THES/LMS Box Tops (3 min) a. Warrants 3/31/26 to 5/1/26 $745,084.51 8. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 9. New Business Action a. Hearing under School Committee policy 5803 regarding student government election (5 min) b. Facility Report (3 min) c. Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant Proposal (3 min) d. Approval for Entitlement Grants (3 min) e. Revisit 5th Grade Consent Procedure (3 min) 10. Old Business Action a. Second Read Policies:3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, 5701.01 Administration of Medications, 1303.1 Advertising in the Schools (3 min) Discussion b. Superintendent Evaluation (5 min) Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-05-06-minutes-7798.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-05-06 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-05-06-minutes-7798.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05062026-7798 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, May 6, 2026 LMHS 7:00 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene Chair - Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair - Present Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Present Emily Young, Member - Absent Member,TBD Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator, Dr. Kimberly Sarfde – Director of Teaching and Learning, Chris Stevens – Director of Facilities 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 at 7:00 by Mr. Sculimbrene 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment 4. Chairs Report – None 5. Student Representative Report – 6. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 3/18/26 7. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers b. Warrants 3/31/26 – 5/1/26 $745,084.51 c. Donations – Women’s Club Gift Cards & THES/LMS Box Tops 8. Superintendents Report 9. New Business Action a. Hearing under School Committee policy 5803 regarding student government election b. Facility Report Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 c. Innovative Approaches to literacy Grant Proposal d. Approval for Entitlement Grants e. Revisit 5th Grade Consent Procedure 10. Old Business Action a. Second read Policies: 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security 5701.01 Administration of Medications, 1303.1 Advertising in Schools Discussion b. Superintendent Evaluation 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight 12. Reports from Sub-Committees 13. Topics for Future Discussion Budget 14. Adjournment Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to adjourn at 945, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-05-20-agenda-7821.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-05-20 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-05-20-agenda-7821.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202026-7821 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary TBD, Member Courtney Fuller Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdspPfhHCb This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items liste d may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 11. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 12. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 13. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 14. Adjournment 5. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 3/23/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations a. Warrants 5/4/26 to 5/18/26 $263,707.25 8. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 9. New Business Action a. Committee Reorganization (10 min)  Election of Officers & Appointment of Sub-Committee Members  Authorize Policies & Procedures to Remain in Force  Annual Student Activity Accounts Authorization  Annual Town Meeting-Auditorium Waiver b. Next Steps after Override (3 min) c. Resolutions of Appreciation (3 min) d. Revisit 5th Grade Consent Procedure (3 min) 10. Old Business Action a. Third Read Policies: 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, 5701.01 Administration of Medications, 1303.1 Advertising in the Schools (3 min) b. Superintendent Evaluation (3 min) Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-05-20-minutes-7821.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-05-20 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-05-20-minutes-7821.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05202026-7821 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, May 20, 2026 LMHS 7:00 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene Chair - Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair - Present Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Present Emily Young, Member - Present Member,TBD Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast 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 at 7:00 by Mr. Sculimbrene 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment Jane Hall I’ve been a resident of Lunenburg for 47 years. Not quite an old-timer yet, only in age. But I just I want to say to all of you how much I appreciate all of the work that you have done on the override, the school committee, our administration, all of you, the teachers, everybody. I'm sorry that it failed. Truly am, one of our town members at the town meeting brought up a little bit of history from overrides in years gone by. And my children went through those years. So, they're in their late 30s, middle to late 40s, and they all suffered through overrides because their mother was usually either the chair or the co-chair of the override committees. Some we won and some we lost as you have experienced. But what I wanted to just share, if you will, is that we will get through this. As you know, we will. The losses are deep. There's no question. But I've heard that there'll be a call for volunteers, for people to come in and help in the lower grades with reading. And I think that's wonderful. The more public awareness we can bring to all age groups, the better, it is not the solution. Believe me, I don't think that's the solution to the problem. But I think having support in the schools from community members who, you know, with some training would be really wonderful. It can help in many ways just even with helping the students, but also to see what goes on in the school. So, I applaud that and I will be one of them for sure, I just I can't say enough. We will get through this. Our kids will be okay and they will all go on and be successful upper grade level students, if you will, and colleges. And I look at my children and as hard as those struggles were, and they were difficult, some years really difficult, they all did okay. So again, thank you for all of the work that you've done and that you will continue to do. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Fortuna, for all of your work and your beautiful letter that went out after. I don't think I've ever seen that before. Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 Chris Sullivan 108 Highland Ave I want to thank you for all of your efforts, regardless of opinion there is a lot of work that went into the entire budget season and I am grateful for the effort and extra time. I also wanted to talk about the fifth grade bus release, I was that family that was doing this seven years ago with two other moms, we collected data, and we ran surveys we did not prevail at the time. At the time my son was in the fourth grade. Oddly enough I could have signed my fourth grader out as a walker and he could have walked home, but he couldn’t get off the bus by himself, there was a lot of interesting logic there. I am hoping that common sense prevails tonight at you take on that article again. 4. Chairs Report – Mr. Sculimbrene reports the outcome of the override vote was disappointing, but not unexpected. We knew and stated on public record as early as September 2025 that the override effort was always going to be a true battle. The combination of the surplus and the general difficulty of selling an override means that this time was from the very beginning a hard sell. As the chair of this school committee I am committed to making sure an override passes as soon as possible. The next time we have the advantage of the lessons from this failure. In particular, we will make sure that the financial house is in order and has been for a substantial period of time. We are well on our way to meeting this mark. Second, we will only ask for what we actually need, which is what we did this around in the tier one budget. Third we will ask for an override on our own, to make sure we can better control the message. Fourth we will have a clearer set of options for voters. We know what is at stake and we will continue to fight for the future of the children of Lunenburg. The result of the vote was a delay not a defeat. America fought for 8 years four months and 15 days to obtain its independence from Great Britain, we owe it to our children to fight for at least one more year. I also want to give a commendation to one person. Everybody here has worked really hard this year. Every teacher here, every member of the staff, all of the administration, they have worked incredibly hard. And so accommodation for one person seems somewhat unfair, but in this case, I think it is deserved. So I wanted to point out the work that Yanina Burns has done. And I want to say this year, Miss Burns didn't do just the basics, showing up, spending money as authorized, making sure that logistics associated with the job were taken care of daily. She made huge strides in keeping kids on the field, and teams competitive. She was at literally every sports event I attended this year, whether it was a football game in the fall, a random basketball game in the dead of winter, or spring track. She was working, helping, and leading, not with a bullhorn or quote unquote supervision, but with roll up her sleeves hustle. I told her when she came before the school committee about the budget this year, and it remains true today that Miss Burn's hallmark is excellence. Everything she did this year, she did with grace, insight, and skill. Her decision to remain on as the AD is huge for both the kids of the town, the kids of Lunenburg, and the town itself. It is critical as we approach the severe austerity measures imposed because of the failure of the override that we make sure to recognize and deploy Miss Burns. The future is uncertain, but we should always bet on people like her. For all of these reasons, I want to highlight Miss Burns as the person that aided the district most in 2025 2026 school year from the perspective of the chair of school committee. The last thing I want to say is this. I'm not going to be chair anymore. It is too much work. It is very difficult. I also think that it's important that we have new ideas and so when she gets here my plan is to nominate Laura to be the chair of school committee. I think she will do an excellent job. She has different strengths than I do and I think that she will do things her way and that way will go very well. One thing that I thing we all need to work on is the length of the meetings, we need to make them shorter and more to the point. 5. Student Representative Report – District wide there is no school on May 25th, June 6th there is a bake and book sale at the library. The primary school has their field day on June 11th, Turkey Hill has their field day on June 9th. The middle school has a jazz concert next Wednesday, a concert band and chorus concert next Thursday, eighth grade graduation is June 18th. The high school has graduation on June 6th, this Friday is the honors and AP art thesis show ===PAGE 3=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 6. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 3/23/26 Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the motion all approve via roll call with 1 abstention , 7. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers none b. Warrants 5/4/26-5/18/26 $263,707.25 c. Donations – Scholarship awards Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept donations, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion, all approve 8. Superintendent Report Dr. Fortuna shares gratitude for Tony and his work as the chair for the past year. Dr. Fortuna reports the plan to continue to work together to support our students during this tough financial time. 9. New Business Action a. Committee Reorganization i. Election of Officers & Appointment of Sub-Committee Members Dr. Fortuna accepts nominations for the Chair position of the School Committee. Mr. Sculimbrene nominates Ms. Brzozoski as chair, Ms. Young seconds the nomination, Ms. Brzozoski accepts - Ms. Brzozoski is the new Chair Mr. Sculimbrene is nominated as Vice Chair, Ms. Young seconds, all approve, Mr. Sculimbrene accepts. – Mr. Sculimbrene is the new Vice Chair. Ms. Brzozoski is provisionally nominated as secretary, Ms. Young seconds all approve. Ms. Gilman will be asked at the next meeting if she would like to accept. The committee goes through subcommittee positions and decide on which member will be appointed. Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept the reorganization of committee responsibilities as proposed, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. ii. Authorize Policies & Procedures to Remain in Force Ms. Young makes a motion to authorize policies and procedures to remain in force for the 26/27 school year, Ms. Brzozoski seconds the motion, all approve iii. Annual Student Activity Account Authorization Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion for the annual activity account authorization of $2000 for the Primary School, $2000 for Turkey Hill, $5000 for the middle school and $10,000 for the high school, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve iv. Annual Town Meeting – Auditorium Waiver Ms. Brzozoski makes a motion to allow drinks with lids and food at the annua l town meeting in the LMHS auditorium, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. b. Next Steps after Override Dr. Fortuna shares some of our options, we could call a special town meeting and election for a school only override, the town manager would not stand in the way if we choose to go this way. We could call for a special town meeting election for a smaller level services override, or we could stand firm on the balanced budget. My recommendation to the committee is that we implement the balanced budget and launch a community task force given that the override was defeated resoundingly that the margins were not close in vote. Attempting option one or two right now carried extreme political risk. Returning to the voters immediately may be perceived as tone-deaf or dismissive of their decision. A second defeat would severely fracture our community and damage the districts credibility for years to come. I am recommending that the school committee charter for future Lunenburg Schools community task force be focused on only the schools, and should include parents, educators, town officials, and vocal opponents of the recent override. ===PAGE 4=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 c. Resolutions of Appreciation the committee takes turns reading the paragraphs and declaring appreciation days. d. Revisit 5th Grade Consent Procedure this is tabled for the next meeting. 10. Old Business Action a. Third Read Policies: 3303 Handling of Cash Receipts, The policy is read out loud, discussion as to whether to change the amount form $50 to $100 is had, the committee decides to stay with $50. Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept this policy, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. 5503 Student Data Privacy and Security, this policy is read out loud, discussion for AI and Chat GPT is had. Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to approve this policy, Ms. Young seconds the motion, all approve. 5701.01 Administration of Medications, this policy is read out loud, there is no public feedback, Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to approve the policy, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. 1303.1 Advertising in the Schools the policy is read out loud, no public feedback Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept the policy, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. b. Superintendent Evaluation the evaluations use a DESE form. Mr. Sculimbrene shares some of the comments made regarding Dr. Fortuna and the process of and approach for the evaluation Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept the composite evaluation for Dr. Fortuna, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight Mr. Sculimbrene thanks Mandy for being the spearhead of the political side of what we do, not just with the legislature, but also here in town. She puts herself out there, she organizes things, and she is the lady with the checklist and clipboard. There is no one more tireless or committed advocate for our kids in the town. She is a good team player. Matt Nazarenko 79 Robbs Hill Road with the middle school sports budget just shy of $15,000, what would the legal option be for raising that money and restoring that? If a sport is not offered, what are the student athlete’s options to pursue that sport if it is not offered at the school? Dr. Fortuna responds with the option of playing the sport for the town of Lunenburg Kara Harunkiewicz to the superintendent, this is the first year I have felt my opinion actually mattered, and I just want to thank you for that. Chris Sullivan 108 Highland Street thank you for being present throughout this academic year, I have seen you at sporting events and activities, thank you for being engaged. There have been some ski team parents having a discussion on what we can do to keep these kids participating in their sports choices 12. Reports from Sub-Committees 13. Topics for Future Discussion Sports, bus waiver 14. Adjournment Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to adjourn at 9:36, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-06-03-agenda-7838.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-06-03 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-06-03-agenda-7838.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032026-7838 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING RETIREE RECEPTION Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM (Retiree Reception) Regular Meeting (7:00pm) Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Anthony Sculimbrene, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna Laura Brzozoski, Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary TBD, Member Courtney Fuller Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator, Eden Perrine-LHS Student, Tim Santry-LMHS Principal, Norman Yvon- THES Principal, Carla Squier-Primary School Principal In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdspPfhHCb This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be d iscussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 11. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 12. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 13. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 14. Adjournment 5. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 4/1/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations a. Warrants 5/19/26 to 5/28/26 $170,395.88 8. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 9. New Business Action a. Physical Education Credits (5 min) b. Elementary School Report Cards (3 min) c. FY27 School Handbooks (3 min) d.5th Grade Band Proposal (3 min) 10. Old Business Action a. 2025-2026 School Improvement Plan Progress (3 min) b. Facilities and Grounds Report (3 min) Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-06-03-minutes-7838.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-06-03 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-06-03-minutes-7838.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06032026-7838 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - RETIREE RECEPTION Wednesday, June 3, 2026 LMHS 6:30 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski, Chair – Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Anthony Sculimbrene, Vice Chair, Absent Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Absent Emily Young, Member - Present Jean Russell, Member, - Present Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator, Carla Squier – Primary School Principal, Tim Santry, LMHS Principal, Norman Yvon – THES Principal, Eden Perrine – LHS Student In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast 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 at 7:00 by Ms. Brzozoski 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment Chris Sullivan, 108 Highland Street, There was a comment made at last meeting about adding it to the agenda and there being a discussion, I am very disappointed that it is not on this agenda tonight. I think there is a concerted effort in this town to continue to see those flourish and see if there are means and mechanisms to fund the things we are losing. So just to comment I am disappointed it is not on the agenda. Laura Barooshian, 389 Mulpus Road We are not borrowing $47 million for the water treatment plant, in case you haven’t heard, that just failed. I made a comment that we are trying to find $10 grand to put the music program back in the program, in full transparency, I did speak with Dr. Fortuna and I spoke with Kara last week at the band concert. I would like to get an accounting of the music, specific chorus, across the district of the programs, the things that were cut. I would also as that Mr. Sheldon and Ms. McGregor and Mr. Ballister comment on what the priorities are, and as president of the Musicators, what can we do to fill in those gaps. We have such a strong program, last week there were 120 kids on the stage and tomorrow those 120 kids will be going for Trills and Thrills, 3 busses full of kids. I have my daughter at home sorting snacks and we got water, so we have some traction. We are so disappointed obviously that the override did not pass and the cuts we are sustaining. I am making a formal request, for the accounting of everything that was reduced and then working with the teachers and working with you as well. What can we fundraise for based on what their priorities are. Peter Beardmore 292 Pleasant Street. I want to talk about money, I recognize that the defeat of the override was a lot of things, demoralizing is probably very high on that list. I think it’s caused a lot of Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 people to think about what do we do next? How do we approach this? Two to one majority against seems insurmountable obstacle, to think about how we fund the town and our schools over the course of the next several years. I would encourage people to keep an open mind. I think Selectmen Emkey, said very astutely last night that clearly there isn’t an appetite to go back and try to run the same play again for an override, given what has happened. I look at between 700 and 800 votes on the “for side” and I think well its five or take what we got last time. There was an opposition, there was a campaign, and there wasn’t a sufficient story ask message campaign on the other side to go and get this thing. We have over 1500 kids in our schools and we came up with 700 to 800 votes, I don’t think we need to bring back the same proposal, in fact, I wouldn’t. I think there are things we can do differently, but we cannot give up, we cannot concede. That budget that we are going to run next year is the level of service that we can continue to offer in perpetuity in Lunenburg. Your job is to represent the kids and that is going to seem a little ironic to some people who are here, who were part of the many arguments that I had with Carol Archambault over the years about what your job is. They don’t have a voice, they don’t have a vote, and it is really incumbent upon you to make sure that the voice is heard to our executive leaders and to our finance committee, to our town manager and to the voters at town meeting and to voters at the ballot box. Candidly there needs to be more of both. I know there has been talk about do we reopen the budget and I think that there is a developing consensus amongst members of your board, members of the select board and members of the finance committee to not do that. I wonder why. In my opinion, if things are as bad as we said they were going to be, and we said they were going to be, and here we are, then we need to be clawing and scratching for every dollar we can get. There is a Senate budget when you look at all of the sources and local aid, there is somewhere between $350 and $450,000 depending on how you calculate it. I haven’t looked at the budget itself, but that is what I am told, that is what Lunenburg would get if that budget passed. The problem with municipal finance, of course, or state finance is that budget is very unlikely to get through conference committee passed and signed by the governor inside of the end of July right? That’s probably the time frame, the second half of July. Last year was an anomaly, they actually passed it at the end of June, so it could happen, but is unlikely. So what do we do? Do we wait for an official budget and then figure out what to do with this windfall money or do we start making a plan now and do we lay the foundation in place to act upon those available funds. My opinion is the latter. You should be talking about what you would do the X amount of money. You should be making a request to the select board to schedule a special town meeting, ideally in the month of August. There should be an article that gives you some leeway depending upon the amount of money that is actually made available. There is a scenario where the state could pass the budget in July and in August we can appropriate several hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school department I recognize the fact that plans have to be made, the schedule is set for the high school, layoff notices have gone out, teachers have quit, families have decided to leave, all of this is happening right now, but I think there are impacts that we could affect across the board that we could put 3 to $400,000 to good use if we put our minds to it. I would encourage you to think about that. Nobody is going to do it based on what I am hearing at the select board of the finance committee, unless you ask. I am asking you to ask and get organized to come up with a plan. I know the town manager would certainly be, I am speculating, but I am sure she would be ready, willing, and able to help you work through the logistics of what that could look like. 4. Chairs Report – Our community lost someone special this week, Haddie, you may have seen represented in the myriad of “Hope for Haddie” signs and a lot of the color green, passed away. She was an important member of this community and I would like for us to hold in our hearts her family, parents, sisters, friends, those who loved her, those who cared about her, our students and our staff, and everyone who was affected by the loss of such a bright angel. So if we could have a moment of silence. Everyone knows there is a half day on Friday, so that our staff can attend the funeral. In the last two weeks Massachusetts School Alliance featured some videos about the school committee, we have had an ===PAGE 3=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 influx of interest in the school. Members have received threats, peoples said some truly vile things, and members were harassed and have had to deal with truly awful, heavily misogynist, hateful things being directed to them and harassment that directly came their way. I am so sorry this happened. This should not be the price to pay for volunteering for school committee. We have a lack of people in town willing to step up and volunteer. After this past two weeks, I worry we are going to have even less people willing, Tony was originally appointed to fill a vacancy, every one of us up ran unopposed. It should not be this difficult to find people, but it is, and I don’t think that is good for democracy. I think a lack of options is terrible for democracy. The concept of our government hangs on choice and the ability to choose our representatives. Creating a culture where we don’t get to have choices is bad for democracy. I want us to be able to debate and discuss options and examine other points of view and share our points of view, I want alternate options. I want people sharing their thoughts. That is the only way it is going to work, so that we can compromise and work on building systems that benefit everyone. We are a town of 11,000 people, we are a small community, we are neighbors, we are friends, we drive on the same roads, our kids might go to school together, we see each other out and about. We call the same town home, we are a community. Humans are supposed to care about each other, humans evolve to have social groups and social bonds, we evolve to take care of each other, and I am really disappointed right now in this community and the wider Massachusetts community, I am very disappointed. Our job as the school committee is to advocate for the schools, to speak for the kids, to make sure that we have an adequately funded school system that is going to give the children of Lunenburg an education that will help them achieve their goals and become happy, healthy, functioning adults. That is our responsibility that is what we are elected to do. That is our duty and it is one we all take very seriously. Our duty is to kids, they cannot vote, they can’t even make a public comment at town meeting without a sponsor. They have no voice in the decisions that have been made in this town, but the decisions that were made are going to affect these kids for the rest of their lives. With the class sizes next year, there is about 100 kids or more in each grade, they are going to have class sizes of 27 to 30. That is over 400 people who in this town are very much affected by that. Asking for the override was our duty as a school committee because that is how it was going to get the kids what they need. There is going to be an election for select board, there are two openings and there is going to be a special elections, we need people to run for select board, which is on the heels of scrutiny, it is not looking very appealing to run for public office right now, but we need people to step up and run. If you are considering that please do, there will be a special election soon, you need to gather signatures to get on the ballot, please consider stepping up and serving. 5. Student Representative Report – Graduation is June 6th, there is a book and bake sale at the library. The last day for the district is June 18th, 5th grade graduation is June 17th and 8th grade graduation is June 18th. 6. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 4/1/26 Ms. Young makes a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve. , 7. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers b. Warrants 5/19/26 to 5/28/26 $170,395.88 c. Donations – Turkey Hill book fair donation of $255.38 Ms Young makes a motion to accept the donation, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve 8. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Fortuna reports our community has had a mix of emotions in the past week, as we mourn the loss of one of our bright learners, Haddie, while also getting ready to celebrate ===PAGE 4=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 our graduates on Saturday. Dr. Fortuna also expresses her appreciation of our community, parents and booster and willingness to work together, but also to be transparent, after legal consultation we want to publicly clarify legal, and ethical and management rules that govern how the funds can be used. While we do not want to discourage the incredible generosity, but to make sure every dollar raised is used equitably for all of the students. Dr. Fortuna also shares an update on the status of our students following our end of year testing. 9. New Business Action a. Physical Education Credits High School student Eden Perrine brings attention to the discussion regarding a waiver for PE credits in exchange for Varsity sport participation. Mr. Santry explains some of the reasons regarding not supporting the waiver. Topic is waived until the full committee is present to discuss b. Elementary School Report Cards Ms. Squier has provided the committee a new proposed report card and an outline of how they came to this decision. This would be a standards based report card and would be for kindergarten through 5th grade. c. FY 27 School Handbooks The principals discuss all sustenance changes in each handbook Ms. Young makes a motion to accept the FY 27 handbooks, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve d. 5th Grade Band Proposal Mr. Ballister has developed a proposal to have the fifth grade band meet before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and charge $100 per student, with a goal of 20 students. Ms. Young makes a motion to approve the proposal, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve. 10. Old Business Action a. 2025-2026 School Improvement Plan Ms. Squier has provided the committee with a comprehensive four page update on the progress of their three goals. Mr. Yvon also provided the committee with an updated school improvement plan. Mr. Santry shares the update for the Middle and the High School b. Facilities and Grounds Report Chris Stevens updates the status of projects and plans throughout the district Ms. Young makes a motion to accept the facilities and grounds report, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight Mr. Sullivan Softball won tonight, they move on to the Elite 8 for the first time in history, 10 to 6, lacrosse did not fare as well unfortunately. As a parent to two student athletes, my daughter is graduating after 6 years of varsity track in the spring and winter and four years of varsity soccer, the opportunity for her, if she had a waiver in any capacity would have given her the opportunity to take a different academic program, the first part of her senior year she had gym, which my understanding is probably not an enjoyable experience as a senior with the freshmen. I would encourage you to consider that. I would say to look at the encouragement of more participation in high school sports, if it’s a sport that may have cuts, like basketball or soccer, there is an opportunity for cross country or track. This fall we had 48 seniors participating in sports, that’s 41% of the senior class participated in sports, 8 seniors on the boys basketball team, 4 seniors on the girls basketball team, 18 seniors in spring and indoor track and 12 boys on the lacrosse team, 5 seniors on the baseball team and 4 girls on our softball team. The more you can participate, you can encourage kids to participate in sports, I think a waiver would possibly do that in some of these sports. Mr. Santry talked about the chronic absence of students, this would not solve everything but if kids participate in sports they have to be in school. I am now the chair of the parks commission, and I want to start in some capacity a better ===PAGE 5=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 relationship with the school committee and superintendent’s office regarding scheduling and use of fields and so forth. We need to work collaboratively in a timely manner to get facilities scheduled so we can run the summer programming, the same capacity that we need to work with the schools and athletic director to make sure that our fields are up and running for baseball and softball. We can’t wait a month to get access to the scheduling program. We are in a crunch where school is ending in a few weeks and we don’t have field use yet to be able to run summer programming. If there is anything I can do to help or anything we need to figure out, we can meet together and sit down and talk. We need to make sure we are squaring that away as soon as possible. Jared Perrine, 18 Whitetail Crossing I want to reiterate in terms of summer programming for the kids, we tend to book our summer camps in April for our family, in fact our summer is booked up now, so even if the town did offer something, we are full, this happens every year. As a town we really should have those things in place for people to schedule during April break. Regarding the waiver for PE credits, there are many communities in the state that offer this, they don’t call them waivers they call them credits. They offer PE credits for sport, if I can help in any way let me know. I have been on parent advisory councils for 10 years, I am on the middle school council now, I just follow my kids up, and if you need help rounding up policies or anything I can do to help. Ash/West and Littleton are two local districts that offer this. This is in no way discriminatory, the policy would be giving credit to the sports that we offer to the kids, I don’t think title IX is a good reason to not offer PE credit for kids that want to take other classes. We offer other opportunities to our kids or at least in my district where I work offer early college and all these AP classes and I think any anything that we can do to keep kids in school, to keep kids active. We cut middle school sports, we have to drive kids to every game. You know, most people don't get out of work until five o'clock. I don't know how that's going to work for families and neither do you. I understand we're all on the same page here, but, anything that we can do to get kids involved with sports and to get kids coming to school, kids don't come to school to go to history class. Kids come to school to see their friends, to play sports so, however I can help, I'd be happy to do that. 12. Reports from Sub-Committees Ms. Brzozoski reports the Municipal Building Design Committee met on Monday and we are stuck right now because of finances in the town. The town manager had mentioned that we could go back and look at TCP plot, which is where we started. We do have a survey that got sent out this week to all department heads to talk about space needs so we can assess space needs vs space wants. Kara Harunkiewicz Student council has a fundraiser next Wednesday at Cherry Hill, we have raffle baskets and ice cream. It is on June 10th from 4 to close. 13. Topics for Future Discussion override request, athletics, 14. Adjournment Ms. Young makes a motion to adjourn at 8:52, Ms. Russell seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-06-24-agenda-7869.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-06-24 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-06-24-agenda-7869.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242026-7869 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Time: Regular Meeting (7:00pm) Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna Anthony Sculimbrene, Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary Jean Russell, Member Courtney Fuller Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator, Kim Sarfde-Director of Teaching & Learning, Nadine Lorenzen-Food Service Director In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdspPfhHCb This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are 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 also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 11. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 12. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 13. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 14. Adjournment 5. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 4/15, 5/6, 5/20, 6/3/26 b. Tri-Board 1/12, 1/27, 3/10/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations a. Warrants 6/2/26 to 6/17/26 $515,921.28 8. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 9. New Business Action a. Adult Meal Price Increase (5 min) b. FY26 Budget Carryover PO’s (3 min) c.T-Ball Field T.C. Passios (3 min) d.July School Committee Meeting Calendar (3 min) e. 2026-2027 School Committee Calendar (3 min) 10. Old Business Action a. Year End Curriculum Report (3 min) b. FY26 Quarterly Budget Report (3 min) c. FY26 Personnel Report d. Request for Additional Chapter 70 Fund Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-06-24-minutes-7869.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-06-24 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-06-24-minutes-7869.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06242026-7869 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 MEETING MINUTES SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, June 24, 2026 LMHS 7:00 – Hybrid School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski Chair - Present Dr. Jodi Fortuna Anthony Sculimbrene, Vice Chair - Present Mandy Gilman, Secretary – Present Emily Young, Member - Present Jean Russell, Member - Absent Recording Secretary Courtney Fuller Guests: Christopher McNamara – Business Administrator, Dr. Kimberly Sarfde – Director of Teaching and Learning, Nadine Lorenzen – Food Service Director In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being rec orded and broadcast 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 at 7:11 by Ms. Brzozoski 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Public Comment Daryl Plant, 490 Lancaster Ave. the failure of the override was not primarily the result of a tactical error or a messaging problem as suggested by the school committee chair, rather, it reflects a deeper issue. Many Lunenburg residents have lost confidence in our public institutions, particularly our schools. Over the past 7 to 8 years, school leaders have increasingly emphasize social equity initiatives, while academic performance has declined. Regardless of one’s views of these initiatives, the results are concerning. According to statements made by both the superintendent and school committee chair at town meeting, the district is close to losing its accreditation and approximately 40 to 45% of students are not reading at grade level proficiency. Many explanations have been offered including curriculum changes, funding challenges, and demographic shifts. However, neighboring districts such as Lancaster, Ayer/Shirley, Groton, Pepperell, Townsend, Leominster, and Fitchburg have faced similar challenges while achieving stronger outcomes. According to DESE data, parents increasingly feel that the district has focused its attention on struggling students while insufficiently challenging those performing at or above grade level. Every student deserves to be appropriately challenged and supported. Equal opportunity should not require identical outcomes, nor should academic excellence be sacrificed in pursuit of other objectives. At the town meeting, I asked the superintendent to provide three specific strategies that would improve student performance, there was no response. If the district hopes to rebuild public trust, it must articulate a clear plan for academic improvement and demonstrate measurable results. To restore confidence and improve out comes, I recommend the following: (1) re-evaluate student support programs, conduct a comprehensive review Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ===PAGE 2=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 of all nonacademic support programs and staffing. The goals should be to determine which programs demonstrably improve student outcomes and which can be streamlined, restructured, or eliminated. Resources should be directed toward services with measurable benefits. Students with significant behavioral or mental health concerns should receive appropriate support in partnership with parents, guardians, and qualified professionals (2) Prioritize academic achievement. Implement an aggressive reading, writing, and mathematics remediation program for students who are below proficiency. At the same time, expand opportunities for advanced learners through accelerated coursework, enrichment programs, and differentiated instruction. Students who have mastered grade level materials should be encouraged to advance rather than being held back by the pace of the class. Physical education and wellness opportunities should also be expanded recognizing the important connection between physical and mental well-being. (3) Review special-ed services. According to the superintendent, approximately 25% of students currently receive services through an IEP. The district should conduct an internal audit of all IEP’s to ensure they are appropriate, compliant, and effective. Students with documented disabilities should receive the support they need to succeed while ensuring the resources are allocated efficiently and responsibly. (4) Improve efficiency and accountability. By focusing resources on academic achievement and evaluating administrative and support costs, the district may identify opportunities for savings and improve effectiveness. Any savings should be used to strengthen classroom instruction, preserve extracurricular programs, and reduce financial burdens on taxpayers whenever possible. Most importantly, restoring academic excellence will require accountability at every level of leadership. The community deserves clear goals, transparent reporting, and measurable progress. If current leadership is unable to deliver meaningful improvement, residents should consider whether new leadership is necessary to move the district forward. Matt Nazarenko 79 Robbs Hill Road Thank you to Dr. Fortuna and Laura for having a meeting a couple weeks ago with boosters, that was very helpful. One of the things out of that was the parents and boosters are looking for a by sport line funding. We were able to find the fiscal year 24 actuals online if you go through your budget files and I did put those in the third and fourth column. I applied 6 1/2% compounded annual growth rate to the costs in fy 24 moving through the past year, the second page, the last two columns are the impact per athlete. The black numbers would be revenue, positive meaning $350 athletic fee that we would charge the student covers the sport, if you roll that out to the rightmost column that would be the revenue impact per sport. You can see that football is a $20,000 negative revenue impact and other sports are positive. One thing that is concerning to me is that in the meeting we had a couple weeks ago, it was mentioned that middle school sports specifically do not cover the cost of the sport, which I now have two seasons of middle school sports under my belt, with my oldest, I don’t know how that is possible. Field hockey and track, they are using hand me down jerseys, field hockey had 11 games last year and one official per game at $50 per official. Track had zero officials, the coaches were the officials and they are using hand me down jerseys from varsity. I don’t know how track costs anything other than overhead allocations, which I would call programmatic cost. The programmatic costs appear to be transportation and allocation such as the athletic director, insurance, hudl feels etc. The stipends would actual be the operating costs not the programmatic costs. Operating costs in my mind are direct costs associated with the sport. Another clarification I would like to make is related to MIAA rules, 6th grades are not allowed to play on JV or Varsity sports, only 7th and 8th graders, if there is room, that would pretty much eliminate football, basketball, baseball, softball, any major sport, there probably is not enough room. Track and field hockey are not offered at the middle school level at any clubs locally. The first time picking up a field hockey stick for a lot of these girls is 6th grade, last year the varsity field hockey team won the Midwach League undefeated, it is a very good program. There were 20 girls on the turf this morning working out to try and repeat that for the upcoming season. Middle school sports was $19,400 revenue positive, effectively off setting football. So we made the decision to cut middle school sports because of a funding issue and they are revenue positive, I don’t see why we are doing that. Additionally, they are not under the MIAA, the coaches ===PAGE 3=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 make the schedules, so it is really easy, you don’t have to contact anyone, the AD is not involved. I know Coach Rios kind of scheduled the games last year. We started the field hockey season with actually no games scheduled and finished the year with 12. I have put in a formal request records to Dr. Fortuna and the school to help out, I would like the actuals for this. These are what I would consider estimates moving forward and myself and some other parents are happy to provide this analysis for you. Chris Hurlbut 469 Sunny Hill Road Education is about more than academics alone. Athletics are an integral part of the educational experience. Sports build teamwork, discipline, leadership, accountability, and school pride. For many students, putting on a Lunenburg uniform is one of the most meaningful parts of their school experience. Following the failed override, middle school athletics were eliminated as a budget reduction of $14,415 from roughly a $29 million budget. Since that decision was made a growing number of parents and community members have come together with a shared goal, preserving these opportunities for our students. Community members have already begun making financial commitments and are prepared to fund the gap if an approved path forward can be identified. Community members have asked straightforward questions regarding the actual cost of middle school athletics and the process required to apply community raised funds towards these programs. Yet the answers have been inconsistent. As a result, the community still lacks a clear understanding of both the financial picture and the path forward. Based on information shared publicly, there are also legitimate questions regarding the actual financial impact of middle school athletics on the district. Available data suggests that user registration fees may exceed the known cost of operating these programs, suggesting that middle school athletics may generate net revenue for the district. If accurate, this would mean the district eliminated programs that were operating in the black. We are not asking the school committee to solve this problem alone. We are asking for accurate information and a clear path forward so that we can help solve it. To move this effort forward in time for the upcoming athletic season, the community is requesting these three things by mid-July. First a detailed breakdown of costs and revenue for each sport, including transportation, overhead, administrative expenses, and user fees. Second, guidance on the process required for community raised funds or donations to support these programs. Third a commitment to work with the athletic directors, coaches, and schedulers to restore middle school athletics for the upcoming year. This is a solvable problem if we work together. Finally, I want to address the future of athletics and extracurricular activities in Lunenburg more broadly. The school committee has recently stated that looking ahead to next year and I quote “All extracurricular activities, including all athletics, will be on the table for future reductions, and that would result in a full dismantling of Lunenburg schools, if the district’s financial challenges persist”. If the district leadership believes these programs may be at risk, the community deserves to know right now. Nikki Jeannotte, 111 Mulpus Road, I am the president of the football boosters and I am here tonight on behalf of the boosters and the football program at the high school and also the head coach who just had a baby a couple days ago and wasn’t able to be here. Casey, the head coach put in a request to the athletic department to purchase five new helmets earlier this spring, we currently have more heads than we have helmets, we haven’t heard whether that was approved or denied. If it is denied, which is probably given our financial predicament, we are hoping to get permission to purchase the helmets out of the booster funds, which we understand, we need permission from the school committee for. The second matter is a bit trickier, I will preface with some background, we are all aware transportation to and from away games has been cut form the athletic budget. The football boosters would like to fund one-way transportation to away games and have families bring their players and equipment home, which we have been told may or may not be a violation of Title IX, because there isn’t a female team with enough funds to purchase transportation. However, it is our understanding that two mini buses were purchased by the district to help provide transportation to and from away games. These buses are not a reasonable option for the football team given the number of athletes who travel and the amount of equipment they require. With that in mind, any question of inequity stemming from football boosters funding alternative transportations should be settled because the mini buses aren’t a viable option for us ===PAGE 4=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 and they are a viable option for many of the other smaller teams. Our asks are first and ideally that the athletics department purchase helmets for the program, but if they can’t or are unable to, we have permission to purchase the helmets from boosters and also that we have permission to fund transportation to away games, which comes to about $1500. I’d also like to add that I was on a zoom a couple weeks ago with several other booster people and you all stated that football is one of the wealthier programs, more wealthy than the other programs, and I respect that people believe this and I understand why, but we have more money because we work our tails off, fundraising at every available opportunity. We do 50/50 at every game, we sell merch at every game, we latch on to any fundraising opportunity we can, we don’t get a dollar for admissions to the football games, we don’t get a dollar from concessions at football games, we don’t see any of that money. We are basically asking to spend our money that we work really hard for in a responsible and meaningful way for our program. Mr. Sculimbrene I was unable to attend the boosters meeting, I want to make sure that as we go through these discussions that everybody keeps in mind that a solution that only solves one of the problems is not going to work. If we solve a problem for one sport without considering the legal implications for other sports, all we are doing is inviting costs related to litigation, and those kinds of costs would be huge and they would be difficult to sustain and would not necessarily go away within a single calendar year. So if sports and the booster organizations are trying to solve the problem, which it sounds like everybody wants to we need to make sure that it’s not just a numbers thing, that it is also a legal thing and that we work together to make sure that as much as we can we can comply with the law. One idea would be to pair sports, if you have a shared interest and shared facility, such as shared officiating boys’ and girls’ basketball that would be a natural pairing. Some sports do not have necessarily natural pairings and some sports are automatically Title IX compliant, but it would be problematic and really sad if everybody puts all this effort in and then it all gets washed away because we didn’t comply with the law. Solutions need to be mindful of those legal requirements, otherwise we just spend money that will be taken away by lawyers, which I don’t want to have happen. 4. Chairs Report – lt is officially the end of the school year, so, thank you very much to Dr. Fortuna for her first successful Lunenburg school year and for getting us through this very difficult year. So, thank you. I very much appreciate it. For the foreseeable future, the school committee will be meeting here in the media room at the Middle High school. The town hall meeting room is sadly not handicap accessible. There's serious accessibility concerns with that meeting space and we can meet here. I understand this makes it more difficult for some people to watch the meetings remotely via public access and I am very sorry about that. You can still watch our meetings via Zoom when it works, and the recording of the meetings will be available the next day on the Lunenburg Public Access YouTube channel and Facebook. Just a plug, this town needs meeting spaces that are accessible to all members of the public, and all meetings should be taking place in handicap accessible places that don't require a terrifying outdated ancient lift to the second floor. I want to state up front that I will be asking the committee to vote to ask for a special town meeting as soon as legally possible. Once we have the final conference committee state budget. Also there was new snow and ice money that the town got. It's looking very likely that the state legislature will be sending us extra chapter 70 money specifically address the statewide ongoing education funding crisis. This money as chapter 70 funding is intended for public education in the schools, 35% of the entire school budget in Luneburg is covered by chapter 70 funds uh which are dispersed to the town but intended to go towards education. And I would like to ask that we have a special meeting to reopen the FY27 municipal budget once the state has finalized the number and that we allocate all of that additional chapter 70 money to the school budget. Things are going to be hard next year. That's not news to anyone. They're going to be very hard, they were already hard this year. This was not an easy school year because of the cuts that we had to make the year before. But this next upcoming school year, things are going to start breaking. I am really sorry. This affects my kid too. Many things that you as a parent or you as a citizen or you as a student care about will be ===PAGE 5=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 affected negatively. Many other things that may not affect you personally but affect other people in the town will be impacted negatively as well. I understand the urge to try and save specifically the things that matter to you. I really love the energy to try and make things better. I love the way our community continues to try. I love that we keep trying even in such adverse conditions and we don't give up. That's what it takes to change the world is a group of committed people working together to bring about the change they want to see in the world. But I want to make really clear as school committee members, it is our job to see the big picture to take in the entirety of the system and to look out for all members of the system. It is our job to keep an eye on the main goal and our core mission which is educating children and preparing students for the best possible future for each and every student. That is our job as school committee members. So I understand and I especially understand as a parent the impulse to fight precisely for what matters personally to you and your child. I don't ever want to stop anyone from advocating for your children and you should be very proud that you are good advocates for your children. But please just know that sometimes there are going to be important critical things that may not be as popular or have as many or any advocates, but are still vitally important. My example for that is toilet paper. No one is lining up to advocate that we buy it, but we really need it. It's something we have to spend money on. It's not visible. It's not something you think about. It is an expense, but there's nobody advocating for that, and it is our job as school committee members to look at the big picture and keep the big picture in mind. And I also want people to be cognizant of administration time and our staff time as we are facing such a dire gap between our needs and what we have. Requests are going to take longer. We're not going to have everything. Certain things you ask for may not exist or cannot be created because of the time. We are focusing on the core mission and we do not have enough personnel to get everything done. It is important that we together collectively as people who want to improve things who want to maintain quality schools in Luneburg and all that that means it's important we keep our eyes on the big picture and not turn into infighting over specific programs or issues. The big picture, adequate school funding for the entire system is where your efforts are going to do the most good. Continuing to engage the select boards, send emails, go to meetings, advocate for the school. So, run for office. Go to meetings twice because it's important. Make the phone calls. Email your state senator and state rep. Be a fierce advocate for every kid in this town and making sure that everyone is getting what they need. 5. Student Representative Report – None 6. Review and Approve Minutes a. Regular session 4/15, 5/6, 5/20, 6/3/26 Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the motion is approve with one abstention b. Tri-Board 1/12, 1/27, 3/10/26 Mr. Sculimbrene makes motion to accept the tri-board minutes, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion, motion is approved with one abstention 7. Review and Approve Line Items, Transfers, Warrants a. Line Item Transfers Mr. McNamara explains the four line item transfers for this meeting Ms. Gilman makes a motion to accept the transfers as outlined by Mr. McNamara, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the motion, all approve b. Warrants 6/2/26 to 6/17/26 $515,921.28 c. Donations – One donation in the amount of $196.56 to the Turkey Hill Elementary School from the author of Taco and Pizza visit. Ms. Gilman makes a motion to accept the donation, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the motion all approve 8. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Fortuna shares updates on some key areas that have been focused on. We were successful in our bid for transportation vans, we are currently waiting on the state contract and ===PAGE 6=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 after receiving that we will be able to execute quickly to meet the spending deadline of June 30. We will be able to purchase two new vans and have enough left over to cover driver training, registration, and insurance. On the facilities front, we have secured an additional $175,000 in state earmarks for FY 27 specifically for facilities improvements, one of the priorities will be making the main doors at the central office fully handicapped accessible, anticipated projects include ADA bathroom sinks at Turkey Hill, interior and exterior doors at primary and add a DMT antenna to remotely control security systems the JACE upgrade at LMHS, the generator install at Primary, a fan replacement in the hallway and gym at the Primary school, the installation of new gym lighting at LMHS and lift rental or purchase, this list is subject to change. We are looking into possible portable AC in the upstairs at Turkey Hill also. Staffing and personnel updates include: Ms. Tousignant will be the new Assistant Principal of the Middle School, Mr. McGrath will take over as principal at Turkey Hill. We have hired two new assistant principals, Kaitlyn Angulo at Turkey Hill and Eddaliz Viola at the High School. Dr. Fortuna lists a few positions that are currently open and are recruiting for, while also working closely with Dr. Mancini to develop a comprehensive plan for how athletics will operate and be supported when the season starts again. The process with Title IX and boosters’ guidance is explained. 9. New Action Action a. Adult Meal Price Increase Ms. Lorenzen proposed to increase the adult meal price to $6.00 Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to improve the increase, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion, all approve motion passes. b. FY 26 Budget Carryover PO’s – already discussed by Mr. McNamara with the encumbrances c. T-Ball Field T.C. Passios We are proposing T-ball be able to use the grassy field at TC Passios and the town has generously offered to mow and maintain that area. Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to approve the proposal regarding the use of TC Passios, Ms. Young seconds, motion approved with 1 abstention d. July School Committee Meeting Calendar a proposal to add a July school committee meeting on Wednesday July 29th remote only, it will be financial only in nature. Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to add July 29th to the school committee calendar, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve e. 2026-2027 School Committee Meeting Calendar follows a typical plan schedule Ms. Gilman makes a motion to approve the meeting calendar, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the motion, all approve 10. Old Business Action a. Year End Curriculum Report committee has been provided the report in their folder from Dr. Sarfde Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept the report, Ms. Gilman seconds the report all approve b. FY 26 Quarterly Budget Report Mr. McNamara presents the quarterly report Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to accept the end of year quarterly budget report, Ms. Young seconds the motion all approve c. FY 26 Personnel Report Dr. Fortuna runs through the list of new hires as well as the staff that will be retiring. Ms. Gilman makes a motion accept the personnel report, Mr. Sculimbrene seconds the report, all approve d. Request for Additional Chapter 70 Fund Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to ask the select board to schedule a special town meeting, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion, all approve ===PAGE 7=== 1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 11. Public Comments for issues discussed tonight Laura Barooshian, 389 Mulpus Road I did find the fundraising policy that you mentioned, it has not been updated since 2019. And one thing that just caught my eye is it does say that families and athletes will not be asked to participate in more than two fundraisers per sport per year. So just as the groups are getting themselves organized. I am here as president of the Music Gators we had a meeting we talked about fundraising, that was the major topic of discussion, we do want to work with you guys to figure out what we can fundraise for, transportation is one of the items. Also part of our mission is to provide the schools with the uniforms. I am very pleased we are going to be pushing 30 kids in marching band. That's up from 18. Ms McGregor is hopeful that we're going to be band and color guard. We are going to need to purchase color guard uniforms. We have different people of different sizes and different shapes and different needs this year. Um I'm still working on getting information from Ms. McGregor, I can't wait until band camp at the end of August to order color guard uniforms or we will not have them for football season. So we have a pool of funds available we are looking to donate, and we are looking for guidance on how to present/use them. – email Liz Peterson, and it will be on the agenda for July 29th. Also I can tell you the juniors are already feeling the stresses of having to choose certain classes and making choices of can I take an AP class, or honors class, or is it going to have to be a required elective. If there is anything we can do to help restore the 6th grade Jazz band, please let us know. 12. Reports from Sub-Committees Ms. Brzozoski reports the Municipal Building Design Committee is meeting on Monday, we met two weeks ago and did send a survey to departments about wants vs needs. We did meet with athletics people, we do want to let everyone know, that yes, next year athletics are on the table for cuts, everything is on the table. 13. Topics for Future Discussion football helmets, 14. Adjournment Mr. Sculimbrene makes a motion to adjourn at 925, Ms. Gilman seconds the motion all approve. Submitted Respectfully, Courtney Fuller ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-07-15-agenda-7901.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-07-15 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-07-15-agenda-7901.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152026-7901 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Time: Special Meeting (7:00pm) Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: REMOTE MEETING AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna AnthonySculimbrene,Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary Jean Russell, Member Gina Gonsalves Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7663167607?omn=84 092781416 Meeting ID: 766 316 7607 One tap mobile +19292056099,,7663167607# US (New York)+13017158592,,7663167607# US (Washington DC) This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are 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 also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 6. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 6/24/26 7. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations 6/18 to 6/30 $362,767.40 a. Warrants 9. New Business Action a. Vote on warrant article for a special town meeting for school funding (5 min) b. Vote on a proposed spending plan for school funding (5 min) 10. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 11. Topics for Future Discussion 12. Adjournment Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-07-29-agenda-7930.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-07-29 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-07-29-agenda-7930.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07292026-7930 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 REVISED SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 Time: Regular Meeting (7:00pm) Location: LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski, Chair Dr. Jodi Fortuna AnthonySculimbrene,Vice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary Jean Russell, Member Gina Gonsalves Emily Young, Member Guests: Christopher McNamara-Business Administrator, Casey McDonnell- Head Football Coach, Bill Tyler-Lunenburg Historical Society In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83227847126 Meeting ID: 832 2784 7126 One tap mobile +16469313860,,83227847126# US +19292056099,,83227847126# US (New York) This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page (h ttps://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/) and will be found on the Lunenburg Access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are 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 also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 12. Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 2. Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 13. Reports from Sub-Committee 3. Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min) 14. Topics for Future Discussion 4. Chair’s Report (3 min) 15. Adjournment 5. Executive Session-to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non -union personnel or to conduct collective Bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel. 6. Student Representative’s Report (3 min) 7. Review & Approve Minutes (3 min) a. Regular Session 8. Review & Approve Line Item Transfers, Warrants & Donations a. Warrants 7/6 to 7/20/26 $100,507.91 9. Superintendent’s Report (3 min) 10. New Business Action a. Donation-Football Helmets & Transportation (5 min) b. Donation-Color Guard Uniforms (3 min) c. Donation-LEAF Grants (3 min) d. Fireworks-Lunenburg 300th Anniversary (3 min) e. FY27 Budget-Additional State Aid f. Custodial MOU 11. Old Business Action a. FY26 Budget- Update on Year End Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2026-08-26-agenda-7980.txt BOARD : school-committee DATE : 2026-08-26 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/school-committee/2026-08-26-agenda-7980.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262026-7980 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== 129 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 978 582-4100 ~ fax 978 582-4103 L u n e n b u r g P u b l i c S c h o o l s Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Schools S CHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Date: Wednesday, August 26 , 202 6 Time: Regular Meeting (7:00pm) Locati on : LMS Collaborative Room #D132 Broadcast Status: HYBRID MEETING (in person and on Zoom) AGENDA School Committee Superintendent Laura Brzozoski , Chair D r. Jodi Fortuna Anthony Sculimbrene, V ice Chair Mandy Gilman, Secretary Recording Secretary Jean Russell , Member Gina Gonsalves Emi ly Young, Member Guests: g broad cast at a later date over the Lunenburg Public Access channel. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7663167607?omn=83746864479 Meeting ID: 766 316 7607 One tap mobile +19292056099, ,7663167607 # US (New York) +13017158592,,7663167607# US (Washington DC) This meeting w ill be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the Public Access Facebook page ( ttps://ww w .facebook.com/Lunenbu rg-Public-Access-Cable-157427270975305/ ) and will be found on the Lunenbu rg Access You T ube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. V o tes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be b ro u g h t up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order (3 min) 2 . Pledge of Allegiance (3 min) 3 . Public Comment for Prior Issues (3 min ) 4 . Chair ’s Report (3 min) 5. New Business Action a . Additional Funding for Education (5 min) 6 . Public Comment for Issues Discussed Tonight 7. Adjournment