Weston School Committee Expands Sports PE Waiver to High School Juniors in 4-1 Vote

WESTON — February 13, 2023 — Weston School Committee votes 4-1 to extend sports PE substitution to high school juniors. The committee, chaired by Kenneth Newberg, also unanimously approved a $75,832 WeFC grant to build a robotics and engineering lab at the middle school, with completion targeted before the 2023-2024 school year. Finance Committee Chair Lisa Raitano delivered a formal statement saying FinCom "will not support a school budget that reflects a 17.25% increase over three years," noting that five other Weston school unions settled for 5.75 percent and that the town carries an estimated $54 million in unfunded retiree health insurance liability. The state Department of Labor Relations has formally declared an impasse in WEA contract negotiations, with mediated sessions scheduled for March 22 and 23. One committee member voted against the PE expansion, citing inequity for club-sport athletes not covered by school teams and concern that expanded opt-outs would reduce available PE sections for all students.