East Bridgewater School Committee approves superintendent goals, new contracts
Committee also welcomes new assistant superintendent and hears robotics team presentation at June 18 meeting
EAST BRIDGEWATER - June 18 - The East Bridgewater School Committee approved superintendent evaluation goals and new employment contracts during its June 18, 2025 meeting, while also welcoming new Assistant Superintendent Mrs. McFarland to her first committee session.
Superintendent Gina Williams presented a comprehensive evaluation framework that includes three overarching goals for the upcoming year. The first focuses on professional practice through a new superintendent induction program, while the second centers on student learning through data-driven decision making with district administrators.
"The third goal is a district improvement goal, and this is kind of wrapping together as I work with the leadership team on developing those goals, developing a system in place for us to analyze data, make decisions based on that data," Williams said. "It will actually help us to create a district improvement plan to go forward the next three years."
The evaluation system follows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's four standards for superintendents: instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture. The committee selected specific indicators under each standard to focus on during the evaluation period.
Williams will utilize the SuperEval software system to track progress throughout the year, with evidence uploaded regularly rather than waiting until the end of the evaluation period. The committee approved the goals, standards, indicators and evaluation timeline unanimously.
The committee also approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the East Bridgewater Education Association, effective Sept. 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2028. Committee Chair Dan Picha praised the negotiation process.
"I will just one last time really thank the East Bridgewater Education Association," Picha said. "It was a very professional and successful bargaining exercise that we went through, so glad we got it all resolved and we can all move on."
Additionally, the committee approved an employment agreement with Dr. Costa as the new school physician, effective July 1, 2025. Williams noted that Dr. Costa will conduct athletic physicals for student athletes as his first order of business.
The meeting began with a presentation from the high school robotics team, which competed in a VEX Robotics competition. Physics teacher Mr. Ferioli and manufacturing teacher Mr. Stevens accompanied students Tyler, Andrew and Tim to share their experience.
The team placed 12th out of 30 teams in their first competition, despite facing technical challenges with their robot.
Student Tyler explained how the team solved mechanical problems during the competition. "We had added also to the robot is these elastics right here. They hold the arm down so the motors aren't acting. Which is a very interesting fix. And it worked," he said.
The robotics program utilized equipment purchased years ago through grant funding, and teachers expressed enthusiasm about expanding the program next year based on growing student interest.
Business Manager John Shea presented the year-end financial report, estimating the district will end fiscal year 2025 under budget by approximately $17,196. He projected salary expenses to come in $116,343 under budget, while non-salary expenses are expected to exceed budget by $99,147 after accounting for various adjustments.
The committee approved transferring $206,219 from the Special Education Reserve Fund to cover extraordinary relief circuit breaker shortfalls. Shea explained that the state provided only 50% of expected extraordinary relief funding due to high demand from districts statewide.
Regarding the school building project, Williams reported that the Massachusetts School Building Authority board approved the district's schematic design progress. The project calls for a pre-K through grade 2 building with enrollment capacity for 510 students in grades K-2.
"We are on target for all of that to happen," Williams said, noting the potential opening date of September 2028 if all approvals proceed as scheduled. The district continues community outreach efforts, including appearances at local events and public forums.
The committee addressed upcoming vacancies, announcing that Amy Berry has resigned from her position. This creates a second opening alongside the seat previously vacated by Gordon McKinnon. A joint meeting with the Select Board is scheduled for July 14 at 6 p.m. to interview candidates for the vacant positions.
The committee decided not to renew its ClearGov contract, which costs $7,900 annually and had only 365 total visits during the past year. Shea recommended focusing on needs versus wants as the district manages future expenses.
Summer activities are underway across the district, with approximately 30 staff members working on grant-supported curriculum projects. The Start Strong program for students entering grades K, 3, 7 and 9 is scheduled for Aug. 20, with registration opening the week of Aug. 4.
The committee will hold its next meeting July 14 at 5:30 p.m., followed by the joint candidate interviews at 6 p.m.