Amesbury School Committee Meeting
The School Committee declared a vacancy for the Amesbury representative on the Whittier Regional School Committee, unanimously voted to ask City Council to adopt M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 71 to enable school bus stop‑arm camera enforcement, rescinded obsolete policy JKAA‑R, and approved budget transfers totaling $597,935.81.
The meeting opened with one emailed public comment raising serious concerns about the Student Services Department and requesting an independent investigation into alleged IDEA violations, administrative retaliation, and recording irregularities; the committee acknowledged the submission and moved on to reports. The facilities report dominated discussion with updates across campuses: the AHS ballfield needs a safety base adjustment and punch‑list work, high school second‑floor LED lighting was installed, a new athletic ice machine arrived, and an elevator has an obsolete motor board that may require off‑site repair. Middle school HVAC startup occurred with prior odor issues reportedly resolved; new bike racks and a refurbished gym floor were installed; Shea school will have boiler preventive maintenance and hot water tanks are repaired, while tactile anti‑slip pads in the Shea parking/entry areas were reported to be lifting and awaiting remediation. Cashman had two rooftop compressors replaced (warranty covered parts; labor/crane costs borne), HVAC grant exploration is underway, and facilities staff completed roughly 276 work tickets and routine fire/kitchen inspections over the summer.
Under new business the committee acted on several substantive items. Members unanimously declared and posted a vacancy for the Amesbury Whittier Regional School Committee seat for the remainder of the term (Apr 1, 2026–Mar 31, 2029). They also unanimously passed a motion to formally request that City Council accept M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 71 (with related M.G.L. Chapter 90 provisions) to authorize school bus stop‑arm detection systems; discussion focused on enforcement workload for police, vendor payment models, and ordinance/fund structure to support the program. The committee unanimously rescinded policy JKAA‑R as obsolete and approved budget transfers totaling $597,935.81 to adjust FY budget lines (including negotiation reserves). Minutes and routine consent items were approved and the meeting adjourned.
Points of interest
