Weymouth School Committee Approves New Superintendent Contract
Melanie Curtin to Lead District with $225,000 Annual Salary
WEYMOUTH - January 9 - The Weymouth School Committee voted to approve a contract for Melanie Curtin as the new permanent superintendent of Weymouth Public Schools, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The three-and-a-half-year agreement includes a base salary of $225,000 per year with 2.5% increases in the final two years.
Curtin, who has been serving as interim superintendent for the past seven months, will not receive longevity payments or performance-based bonuses under the new contract.
Committee member Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw praised Curtin's leadership, stating, "Mel's transition from assistant superintendent to interim superintendent last spring was seamless. The district did not miss a beat during the leadership transition."
The contract approval comes after former superintendent Robert Wargo resigned in May 2024. Curtin, previously the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, stepped into the interim role while continuing her existing duties.
Committee Chair Tracey Nardone expressed confidence in the decision, saying, "I'm very confident that the Weymouth Public Schools is in great hands, and I look forward to what the future looks like with Mel's direction, compassion, and her leadership ability."
The committee's vote was unanimous, with one member abstaining due to inability to participate in final discussions.
In other business, Curtin announced changes to elementary school assistant principal staffing. Four schools - Academy, Murphy, Nash, and Talbot - will lose their full-time assistant principals. To support these schools, the district will introduce lead teacher positions and hire additional district-wide behavior specialists.
"We are moving forward," Curtin said. "So the schools that will have permanent assistant principals will be the Weymouth Early Childhood Center, Wessagusset, Pingree, Seach, and Hamilton."
The district plans to post lead teacher positions in the coming days. These roles will receive stipends to work extra hours supporting principals in schools without assistant principals.
Additionally, two district-wide Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) have been hired to assist all schools, with a focus on the four losing assistant principals. These specialists will support student behaviors, build skills and routines, and collect data.
Curtin emphasized that the changes were not rushed decisions, stating, "We've been looking at the efficiency of our assistant principals. We've been looking at the needs across the district. I've met with all of the principals. I've met with all of the assistant principals individually."
The superintendent also addressed recent changes to MCAS requirements for graduation. Following the passage of a ballot question in fall 2024, MCAS is no longer a state requirement for graduation. Curtin explained that districts must now approve coursework to certify competency determination for seniors.
"We as a district have to approve the coursework that would certify competency determination, especially for our seniors that want to graduate in the spring," Curtin said.
For the current school year, Weymouth plans to rely on its existing local graduation requirements. Students completing the required 22 credits outlined in the program of studies will be eligible to graduate.
Curtin noted that MCAS testing will continue as required by state and federal law, with results still used for accountability and programs like the Adams Scholarship.