Whitman-Hanson School Committee Approves One-Year Extension for Superintendent
Preschool tuition increase considered, enrollment changes also discussed
HANSON - January 15 - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee voted to approve a one-year contract extension for Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak through June 2028 at its Jan. 15 meeting.
The extension aims to ensure continuity in leadership through the opening of the new Whitman Middle School.
"I need to know from this committee that I will be here until 28," Szymaniak said. "I do want to retire here. I've been here since 2010. I've committed to be black and red, but I do have to look and I need the committee's confidence."
The vote passed with members Dawn Byers and Rosemary Hill opposed. Some committee members expressed concerns about approving the extension before discussing salary and other contract details.
Byers voiced concern about the process, "This certainly seems premature to me where there's still two and a half years remaining on the contract."
"I feel rushed and pressured and I don't know why, and that's why I'm asking, do people have information that I don't have?" Hill said.
Others emphasized the importance of retaining experienced leadership, especially with the new middle school opening.
"Opening a brand new school with a brand new set of leaders could be catastrophic and not be good," said member Hillary Kniffen.
The committee also discussed a potential 10% increase in preschool tuition rates. The increase, which would be the first in about 10 years, aims to help offset program costs while remaining competitive with area schools.
"We're the cheapest," Szymaniak said of the current rates. He plans to present a formal proposal with comparisons to private preschools at a future meeting. The discussion was timely as the meeting opened with a presentation from the Preschool Academy.
Some committee members raised concerns about the impact on low-income families. The district does not currently offer need-based tuition assistance for preschool.
In other business, the district reported a decrease of 109 students in foundation enrollment from June 2023 to October 2023, dropping from 3,477 to 3,368.
However, the district has seen increases in its English Language Learner and special education populations. The EL population grew from 213 to 245 students, while the special education population for ages 3-5 increased from 24 to 56 students.
The number of students receiving Title I services nearly doubled, from 432 to 918, after Connelly Elementary School qualified as a Title I school.
Business Manager Stephen Marshall presented the first quarter financial report, noting that revenues are in line with the budget. He highlighted a $261,516 increase in Chapter 78 funding, offset by a $120,203 decrease in charter school reimbursement.
Marshall also provided an update on the fiscal year 2022 audit, which was delayed due to a data breach. The draft audit has been received and will be presented at the Feb. 26 meeting.
The committee approved three field trips: the MASC Annual Conference of Student Council, an eighth-grade trip to New York City and Philadelphia for Whitman Middle School, and the DECA state conference in Seaport.
In other business, the Whitman Middle School Building Committee reported that bidding is underway for the new school project. The committee expects to vote on a general contractor on Feb. 13, with groundbreaking anticipated in March.
The Regional Agreement Committee reported slow but steady progress in revising the agreement between Whitman and Hanson. The goal is to present the revised agreement for Town Meeting votes in 2026.
The next school committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5, with the budget presentation moved to Feb. 12 to allow more preparation time.