Weston School Committee defers vote on new high school block schedule

WESTON -- March 24, 2025, Weston School Committee hears sprawling proposal for a new eight-block, ten-day high school schedule but delays a formal vote. The committee, chaired by Daina Selvig, received the recommendation March 24 from a working group that logged an estimated 90-plus hours of research and surveys, proposing to shift Weston High School from an eight-block, eight-day cycle to an eight-block, ten-day cycle while adding a Wednesday "Wildcat Block" for advisory, activities, and individualized flex time. Member Kenneth Newberg declined further questions, saying a key district comparison chart had been delivered for the first time at the meeting rather than in the packet; Superintendent Sara Zaleski said the chart was compiled and finalized that afternoon. The committee did vote unanimously to opt out of the state school choice program for 2025-26 and approved a K-5 Curriculum Coordinator job description with instructions to strengthen language around multi-subject curriculum implementation before posting. In public comment, Harvard Business School professor Allison Brooks, speaking for a group she said represents 144 parents and more than 300 students, urged the committee to adopt a bell-to-bell device-free policy and said 800 student device lockers could be installed districtwide for under $25,000.