Duxbury School Committee Grapples with Transportation Safety Concerns
School Year Begins with Staffing Reductions
DUXBURY - September 3 - The Duxbury School Committee faced sustained public pressure from Tinkertown Landing residents demanding the restoration of bus service into their neighborhood, while committee members acknowledged the ongoing impacts of budget-driven staff reductions as the new school year begins.
The Full Story
The meeting opened with executive session for collective bargaining discussions with the Duxbury Teachers Association before moving to public comment, where five residents from Tinkertown Landing made impassioned pleas for bus route changes. Parents described safety concerns about children waiting at a bus stop on Elm Street and Pine Lake Road, which they characterized as dangerous due to traffic speed, poor visibility, and past accidents.
Jessica Marconi, representing approximately 25 school-age children in the neighborhood, explained that the bus previously entered their community for over 20 years but now requires students to walk to the main road. "What we're asking is maybe the concession of one to two minutes for 25 kids increased safety," Marconi said, arguing the route change would be more efficient than the current system.
Several parents provided detailed maps and analysis showing the bus currently passes their neighborhood, turns around empty, and returns - a process they timed at over two minutes. They argued allowing the bus to loop through their private neighborhood would be safer and potentially faster than the current arrangement. Parents cited a recent police report documenting a vehicle accident at the corner where children now wait, and expressed particular concern about kindergarten students walking half a mile in dark winter conditions.
The committee took no action on the transportation concerns, consistent with their practice of not responding during public comment periods.
Superintendent Dr. Danielle Klingaman delivered an extensive opening of school report highlighting successful preparation despite staffing challenges. The district welcomed 260 new student registrations over the summer, with kindergarten enrollment at 191 students - consistent with recent years. New staff includes teachers, instructional assistants, and Director of Special Education BJ McNamara, plus School Resource Officer Ricky Lippard.
However, the committee acknowledged significant operational challenges stemming from budget-driven position eliminations following the failed override. Dr. Klingaman noted impacts from losing curriculum supervisors and technology leadership, while Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beth Wilcox described technology integration difficulties and the need for administrators to absorb additional responsibilities. "We have certainly felt the loss of the positions that were eliminated last year as a result of the budget override not passing," Dr. Klingaman stated.
Committee member Laurel Deacon requested a comprehensive analysis of staffing reductions and their impacts for the October meeting, describing it as "a really important baseline on which to begin the FY27 budget discussion." The committee agreed to examine position losses, dollar amounts, and task redistribution among remaining staff.
Business Officer Lisa Freeley presented the FY25 year-end budget report, showing the district spent 99.91% of its $43.3 million budget, returning $38,406 to the town. The tight margin reflected careful management amid budget constraints, though several cost centers exceeded projections, particularly special education transportation services which required accessing $250,000 from reserve funds.
The committee engaged in lengthy discussions about establishing annual goals, with member Jen Weedon presenting a comprehensive framework covering budget oversight, policies, superintendent evaluation, and operational effectiveness. The extensive goal-setting discussion revealed tensions between ambitious objectives and practical limitations given time constraints and competing priorities.
Key proposed goals include implementing standardized reporting templates, conducting community engagement around budget advocacy, establishing formal superintendent evaluation processes, and improving operational efficiency. Committee members expressed concerns about overcommitting while acknowledging the need for structured accountability measures.
Dr. Klingaman outlined district strategic initiatives for the final year of the current strategic plan, focusing on reducing chronic absenteeism from 13.5% to 10%, implementing universal social-emotional learning screening, and expanding real-world learning opportunities. The administration emphasized building teacher leadership capacity to address administrative staff reductions while maintaining educational quality.
The committee also addressed MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) project progress for Alden Elementary School. Building Committee Chair Jon Lemieux will lead the process toward securing feasibility study funding, estimated at $1.5-2 million, for the March town meeting warrant. The feasibility study would determine whether renovation or rebuilding is appropriate for the aging facility.
Looking ahead to budget season, the committee prepared for a joint meeting with Selectboard and Finance Committee members, discussing their approach to budget development amid municipal budget constraints. Members emphasized their legal authority to develop budgets independently while recognizing fiscal realities.
Why It Matters
The sustained public advocacy around bus safety highlights ongoing tensions between operational efficiency and community needs, particularly as districts face budget pressures. The committee's acknowledgment of staffing reduction impacts provides important context for upcoming budget discussions, as the district prepares for another challenging fiscal cycle. The goal-setting framework establishes accountability measures during a critical year that will include strategic plan renewal, contract negotiations, and potential override discussions. The MSBA project timeline adds another significant financial consideration for the community to weigh alongside operating budget needs.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Adjourn to executive session for collective bargaining strategy discussion. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous roll call. (Timestamp: 24:38)
Motion: Approve consent agenda including meeting minutes and accounts payable warrants. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:12:47)
Motion: Establish superintendent evaluation subcommittee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 3:39:09)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 4:00:07)
Public Comment
Five residents from Tinkertown Landing presented detailed arguments for restoring bus service into their private neighborhood, citing safety concerns at the current Elm Street/Pine Lake Road stop. Parents provided maps, timing analysis, and police reports documenting traffic accidents at the location where approximately 25 students now wait for buses.
What's Next
September 17 meeting will include voting on finalized school committee goals and superintendent evaluation process. October 8 meeting will feature analysis of FY26 staffing reduction impacts and initial FY27 budget planning. Superintendent evaluation subcommittee will meet before September 17 to establish process and priorities. MSBA building committee continues work toward March feasibility study warrant article.
Full meeting available via Duxbury Community Access Television.