Weymouth School Committee Debates Attendance Buyback Policy
Proposal would allow students to erase unexcused absences by attending seven consecutive days; committee also approves modular classroom plans
WEYMOUTH - May 15 - The Weymouth School Committee is considering a controversial attendance policy that would allow high school students to "buy back" unexcused absences by attending seven consecutive days of school without issue.
The proposal, presented by Weymouth High School administrators at the committee's May 15 meeting, sparked debate among members concerned about accountability and real-world preparation.
"I worry as a boss for accountability. It's making excuses for not getting out of bed," Chair Tracey Nardone says. "I just feel like it's setting the college and the workforce up for an excuse."
The proposed policy would allow students who accumulate five unexcused absences in a term to erase one absence by attending seven consecutive days with perfect attendance. Students would need to be on time, demonstrate good citizenship, and complete all assignments during this period.
High School administrators Ms. Monaghan and Ms. Bonner explain the policy aims to help students who might otherwise receive an "attendance failure" - where a passing grade is reduced to 59% due to excessive absences.
"We're trying to teach our kids for when they're going to be in the workforce, but they still are kids," Bonner says. "A lot of them are victims of their parents and their schedules and what they do."
The administrators present data showing 30 students participated in the buyback program during the current school year's third term, compared to just four students in the first term. Only five students used the program twice.
They highlight two examples: a high-achieving student who would have seen their grade drop from 90% to 59% due to five absences in one term, and a struggling student who was able to maintain passing grades through the program.
Committee member Kathleen Curran expresses concern about the message the policy sends to the majority of students who attend regularly.
"We stand on our heads to help students who have attendance issues," Curran says. "I just don't think it's setting a good example for the rest of the 1,942 students."
Superintendent Melanie Curtin defends the proposal, noting that administrators wouldn't recommend it if they thought students were taking advantage of it.
"Until you sit in those roles and you work and you pour your heart out for these kids and these families, and you understand that many of them at 14 and 15 years old are raising themselves, I think it's hard to kind of judge what they go through," Curtin says.
Chair Nardone suggests a compromise: approving the policy as a pilot program for the 2025-26 school year rather than immediately adding it to the student handbook.
"I would be in favor of letting this go as a pilot in the proper procedures for the coming school year," Nardone says. "I think the data would be a little more reliable."
The committee will revisit the policy for a third reading at its June 5 meeting.
In other business, the committee received an update on the construction of seven modular classrooms across the district. Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith reports the project remains on time and on budget, with site work beginning June 1.
The modular classrooms will be installed at Hamilton Primary School (three classrooms), Nash Primary School (two classrooms), and Wessagusset Primary School (two classrooms). These are in addition to seven modular classrooms already in use at other schools.
"The projected costs are just above $4.3 million, so there's a couple hundred thousand dollars in there for contingency," Smith says.
The modules are currently being constructed off-site and will be installed in June and July, with the goal of being ready for the start of school in September.
Fifth-grade classes will primarily use the new spaces, along with additional kindergarten and first-grade classrooms being added due to enrollment growth.
The committee also:
* Recognized the Weymouth High School Scrap Robotics team for their achievements, including winning the Rookie All-Star Award at the New England First District Championships and qualifying for the World Championships in Texas.
* Heard a presentation from Student Senate representatives highlighting various club activities, including the Human Rights Coalition's Diversity Summit, the Jazz Band's participation in the UMass Amherst Jazz Festival, and the Model United Nations team's competition at Dartmouth College.
* Received the annual report from the district's Health and Safety Committee, which addressed staff safety concerns, de-escalation training, and the creation of calming spaces at Hamilton and Wessagusset schools.
* Discussed revisions to the public comment policy, with concerns raised about protecting student privacy when specific programs or staff are mentioned.
* Approved a 5% increase in most student fees for the 2025-26 school year, which is expected to generate approximately $100,000 in additional revenue.
* Approved a 2.5% increase in substitute teacher and extended school year rates.
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m.