Weston School Committee defers vote on local graduation competency rule

WESTON — February 10, 2025 — Weston defers post-MCAS competency rule and approves new finance director. The School Committee on Feb. 10 postponed adoption of a local competency determination to replace the MCAS graduation requirement, asking district counsel to clarify whether the MCAS may still serve as a local benchmark before the body acts. Member Kenneth Newberg urged keeping the test, noting Weston voted 66 percent against the November ballot question, the highest "no" margin in the state. The draft policy from the assistant superintendent would require a passing grade in grade 10 English or higher, geometry or higher, and a biology, physics or chemistry course. The committee unanimously approved David Coelho, Lexington's assistant superintendent for finance, as Weston's next Director of Finance starting July 1, with outgoing director Buck Creel staying through June. K-12 Director of Visual Arts Chris Fell presented an internal program review showing 93 percent of surveyed families have attended a Weston art show and asked the committee to consider raising the arts graduation requirement from six credits to eight.