Weston School Committee Delays PE Waiver Vote, Approves Staff Ethics Policy

WESTON — January 17, 2023 — Weston School Committee opens FY24 budget review on a $46.3 million proposal and delays a contentious PE waiver vote. Superintendent Mitch Connelly presented a preliminary general fund budget representing a 3.1 percent increase over FY23, driven largely by a 34.76 percent projected rise in utility costs and a 10.61 percent jump in out-of-district special education tuition. Chair Kenneth Newberg called for redirecting remaining federal ESSER funds toward technology and supplies before any new tax dollars are spent, and flagged professional development spending as more than double the contractually required $433,000 baseline. Vice Chair Tiao Xie pressed for a full committee debate before any vote to fund a proposed director of equity and professional learning position, which she noted is budgeted at approximately $175,000 — above the salary of five of the district's six principals. A committee survey showed 92 percent of responding sophomores and juniors would opt out of PE if allowed, but the board deferred a vote on expanding the senior pilot to juniors, citing equity concerns and the need to review senior grade-trend data first. The staff ethics and conflict of interest policy was approved unanimously as written, and a $2,400 Weston Cultural Council grant for artist and author school visits was also approved.