Amesbury School Committee Meeting

The committee opened with public comment from families raising concerns about special education supports: parents described incidents where IEP‑required supports were not provided, questioned suspension and exclusion practices, and urged stronger, trauma‑informed policies, clearer parent notification, and better staff training. The district and CPAC (the parent advisory council) presented an overview of CPAC’s role and shared results from a caregiver survey—responses highlighted strengths such as strong individual staff relationships and effective small‑group programs, and recurring concerns including inconsistent communication, perceived lack of transparency in IEP decisions, delays in evaluations, safety/behavior handling, and bullying. Student services staff reviewed end‑of‑year data (special education counts, 504 plans, nursing/health visits, foster‑care and homeless student supports, restraints reporting, and staff safety‑care training) and outlined DESE audit timelines and upcoming professional development and family outreach plans.

In the business session the Committee considered several substantive items. After extended discussion—focused on program autonomy, staffing flexibility, tuition‑in students, curriculum, physical space, liability for animals, and building/lease stability—the Committee approved a modified DESE renewal for Amesbury Innovation High School: the renewal was limited to two years, the proposed autonomous service‑animal provision was excluded pending separate policy work, and any co‑location/co‑housing decisions were clarified to require School Committee approval (motion approved 3–2 after an earlier three‑year renewal motion failed). The Committee also approved a one‑year contract for the Interim Director of Finance & Operations (unanimous), with staff noting a few typographical/clarifying edits to be corrected in the written contract. Other highlights: athletic and retiree recognitions, a first read on the 2026–27 school handbooks with principals continuing revisions over the summer, a summary of staff openings and recent hires, and plans for summer trainings and CPAC collaboration on new regulations.