East Bridgewater School Committee Elects Leadership, Sets Priorities for New Year

EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA - May 21 - In their first meeting of the new fiscal year on May 21, 2024, the East Bridgewater School Committee welcomed new members and elected new officers, setting the stage for a productive year ahead. Gordon McKinnon was elected chair, Becky Fidler vice chair, and Ellen Pennington Secretary. The meeting covered a range of important topics, including diversity and inclusion, school facilities, and student funding.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the potential implementation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) audit. Superintendent Elizabeth Legault and Assistant Superintendent Gina Williams emphasized the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment within the district. The committee plans to further investigate the cost and scope of a DEI audit and revisit the issue in the coming months.

The Central School Building Committee provided an update on the ongoing project to address the district's facility needs. LeftField Project Management was unanimously selected as the operations project manager for the feasibility study, pending approval by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on June 3rd.

The committee also reviewed and approved the updated Student Opportunity Act (SOA) plan, which aims to ensure equitable funding across all school districts in the Commonwealth. The district hopes to see increased funding through the SOA to better support English Language Learners (ELL), special needs students, and students in poverty.

In other business, the committee discussed open positions within the district, the timeline for the track renovation project, and upcoming school events. The meeting concluded with the approval of accounts payable and payroll warrants, and a request to allow a student to receive their diploma from a mentor.