Home / Meetings /October 5, 2026

School Committee · October 5, 2026 · 7:00 PM

Amesbury School Committee Meeting

The School Committee approved the district policy on interactions with law enforcement (Protect Act), amending the protected-classes language and wording to align with DESE IMR guidance.

occurred Agenda PDF Video recording AI Summary

Key decisions

Adopted the INTERACTING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENGAGED IN CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT (Protect Act) policy as amended.

Approved 6-0-1

AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE TRANSCRIPT

The committee received reports from district leadership, the student advisory council, Whittier Tech, and multiple subcommittees. Dr. Z highlighted a new district newsletter, in-district professional development anchored on culturally responsive teaching, staffing updates, progress on the AHS baseball field (near completion with a punch list), and plans to reissue an RFP for a possible in-district childcare/CTE partnership with anticipated reissue around December. The Student Advisory Council summarized a successful activities fair, an upcoming Halloween fundraiser (Oct 24), and a new social-media manager position. Whittier Tech reported enrollment figures and ongoing regional work: a proposed reduction in next year’s Amesbury Whittier Tech allotment from 29 to 27 seats, MSBA feasibility study work, and plans to hire an OPM by January.

Subcommittee reports covered facilities and capital planning (parking/lot resurfacing planning, HVAC repair, and closing out the baseball field project), curriculum and inclusion initiatives (relaunching the Amesbury Public Schools Spotlight Award, website updates, a planned technology/AI survey, and a November bullying/discipline data presentation), and upcoming policy work. The committee voted to adopt the Protect Act policy as amended to address missing protected classes and clarify language (motion approved 6-0-1). The meeting concluded by entering executive session to discuss collective bargaining with AFT Amesbury; the public session did not reconvene.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

District initiatives: in-house PD and childcare RFP reconsideration

District initiatives: in-house PD and childcare RFP reconsideration

PRESENTATION

0:02:45–0:07:58 ▶ Watch

Superintendent shared district initiatives including an in-district professional development course on culturally responsive teaching and announced the pause/reopening of a childcare RFP to consider an in-district daycare at the high school with potential CTE linkage.

Whittier Tech enrollment, lottery allotment, and feasibility planning

Whittier Tech enrollment, lottery allotment, and feasibility planning

PRESENTATION

0:12:31–0:18:42 ▶ Watch

Regional technical school update reviewed recent enrollments, explained a proposal to reduce the city's incoming seats from 29 to 27 to maintain balanced enrollment and account for building constraints, and outlined next steps on a feasibility study and procurement of an owner's project manager.

Second reading and amendment of law-enforcement interaction policy

Second reading and amendment of law-enforcement interaction policy

DEBATE

0:34:39–0:43:50 ▶ Watch

Committee held the second reading of a model policy on interacting with law enforcement, debated adding additional protected classes after a civil-rights IMR review and small wording edits, and voted to approve the policy as amended with one abstention.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:42:32 · APPROVE

Approved 6-0-1

Approve the policy 'Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act)' as amended (including expanded list of protected classes and wording edits).

MOVED · BROCK · SECONDED · ABIGAIL

UNDER · New Business · IV.1. INTERACTING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENGAGED IN CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT (PROTECT ACT)

@ 0:44:10 · APPROVE

Approved unanimous

Approve the warrants: September 17 in the amount of $226,291.42 and October 1 in the amount of $510,633.67.

MOVED · ABIGAIL · SECONDED · DR. MANSO

UNDER · Consent Agenda · V.A. Warrants

@ 0:45:03 · OTHER

Approved by roll call (unanimous)

Enter executive session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining with AFT Amesbury (the committee will adjourn from executive session and not return to open session).

MOVED · GREG · SECONDED · DR. MANSO

UNDER · Executive Session · VI. Collective bargaining with AFT Amesbury