East Bridgewater School Committee Approves New Meeting Format, Considers HR/DEI Position

Changes aim to streamline operations amid budget concerns and increasing workload

EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA - August 20 - The East Bridgewater School Committee voted Tuesday to move to a once-monthly meeting format, despite reservations from some members about potential challenges. The decision came during a lengthy meeting that also saw discussion of a proposed new Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position.

Committee member Ellen Pennington expressed concerns about the shift to monthly meetings, citing past experience. "I have a strong issue with going to one meeting a month, because we tried it in the past a few years, before COVID, I don't know what year exactly, and we found that it wasn't really working well," Pennington said.

Committee Chair Gordon McKinnon proposed giving the new format a trial period. "What I would ask, at least from my point of view, give us a couple of months to look at this. If it's not working, we're gonna be the first ones to know it," McKinnon said.

The new format aims to streamline operations by condensing presentations and discussions. Each meeting will include finance, student services, and strategic plan presentations, with 10 minutes allotted for each presentation and 10 minutes for discussion.

Superintendent Elizabeth Legault proposed creating a new HR/DEI position to enhance district operations and support. The proposed role would combine human resources responsibilities with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

"We're creating a sustainable culture of inclusivity. We're elevating human resource practices, and hopefully do a better job at what we do in our office," Legault said. She estimated the position could cost between $90,000 and $150,000 annually, based on examples from other districts.

However, budget constraints were discussed as a potential obstacle. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig warned the committee about upcoming financial challenges, including increased retirement system costs and potential health insurance hikes.

"What all this means is that whether it's the police or the fire or the library or the Council on Aging or highway or the schools, adding new positions is going to be more difficult than we ever anticipated," Seelig said.

The committee also approved student handbooks for the upcoming school year, with the understanding that some updates may be needed. Members agreed to provide feedback for future revisions.

In other business, the district accepted a donation of 20 air scrubber machines from the Distributor Corporation of New England, valued at approximately $47,000. These machines will be used to improve air quality in areas such as nursing offices and spaces without windows.