School Committee Meeting - December 15, 2025

Executive Summary:

The Somerville School Committee convened for a hybrid meeting on December 15, 2025. Key discussions included student representatives' concerns regarding club funding, X-block effectiveness, and inclusive electives, as well as a call for increased promotion of arts events. The Superintendent's report highlighted progress on the strategic plan, focusing on academic excellence, equity and access, wellness and joy, and family and community engagement. The meeting also featured heartfelt farewells and resolutions of appreciation for departing members Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ilana Krepchin, Eleanor Barish, and Dr. Sarah Phillips. A significant action taken was the establishment of a Special Education Reserve Fund to manage unanticipated costs.

Meeting Date: December 15, 2025 Governing Body: Somerville School Committee Type of Meeting: Hybrid Meeting Attendees: Ilana Krepchin (Chair), Laura Pitone, Emily Ackman, Andre Green, Leiran Biton, Lance Davis, Eleanor Barish, Sarah Phillips, Katjana Ballantyne, Rubén Carmona (Superintendent), Amara Anosike (Chief of Staff), Sam Elegyne (Director of Data), Jessica Adams (Public Comment).

• The meeting was called to order.
• A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Student representatives, Bhavika and Peyton, presented upcoming agenda items for their meeting with the School Committee.
  • Club Funding: Concerns were raised about the prioritization and allocation of funding for school clubs, particularly unofficial ones.
    • A system is being developed to recognize clubs and their work, including a potential award show.
  • X-Block: Discussion centered on the effectiveness of X-block, student attendance, and the need for sufficient teacher support during this time.
    • The goal is to create a system where X-block benefits both students and teachers.
  • Inclusive Electives: A desire for more inclusive electives that incorporate diverse cultures was expressed.
  • Arts Promotion: Peyton highlighted the lack of publicity for arts events compared to sports, citing the upcoming Windsor Art Show as an example.
    • Quote from Peyton: "Whereas stuff like art shows and concerts, there's just less information about. Like for example, we have upcoming this week, the Windsor Art Show. but a lot of people weren't aware about it just because like we don't like have super great information about when events are and stuff like that."
  • Ballot Question 3 (Divestment): Peyton brought up the approved Ballot Question 3 from November, which calls for the city to divest from companies sustaining Israel's occupation in Palestine.
    • Concerns were raised about the school's use of HP Chromebooks, given HP's alleged involvement in providing technology used in the conflict.
  • Teacher Supports: Student representatives noted that teachers are overwhelmed with work and suggested exploring options for more teacher support during the school day, potentially utilizing X-block.
• Dr. Emily Ackman inquired about specific teacher support needs and the perceived inequity in publicity between sports and arts.
  • Student representatives clarified that morning announcements and pep rallies, often managed by students in leadership positions, tend to prioritize sports due to the focus of those students.
  • Quote from student representative: "When you don't have students who We are engaging like different art programs or different art electives inside of that leadership group. It's often difficult to bring that awareness to the different electives and just like arts in general at our school because the majority of students in those positions are more focused on like the sports aspect or what they believe like the majority of students at Somerville High School would be interested in."
• Lance Davis thanked the student representatives for sharing their agenda in advance.
• Ilana Krepchin mentioned the Class of 2026's college acceptance posts on Instagram.

• Jessica Adams, 3 Porter Street, Somerville, parent of three children at Kennedy School with IEPs and 504s.
  • Expressed gratitude for the School Committee's work and Superintendent Carmona's vision of equity.
  • Commended the continued discussion of equity on the agenda, specifically the partnership between the School Committee and SPS to address race, ethnicity, social barriers, equitable access to programming, and resource allocation.
  • Key Point: Advocated for a strong focus on disabilities (visible and invisible), emphasizing "Child Find" and innovative ways to identify and serve children with disabilities before they require full IEP evaluations.
  • Request: Asked the School Committee and Superintendent to involve Occupational Therapists (OTs) in providing input to the city and designers for accessibility, seeking multiple perspectives on systemic inequities related to both ethnicity and ability.

• Motion: To approve the minutes for November 3rd, 2025.
  • Moved by: [Not specified in transcript]
  • Seconded by: [Not specified in transcript]
  • Vote: All in favor. Motion carries.

• Superintendent Rubén Carmona thanked Peyton and Bhavika for their insights, particularly regarding the imbalance in advertising sports versus arts.
• Recognition of Departing Members: Superintendent Carmona acknowledged and honored departing colleagues: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Eleanor Barish, Dr. Sarah Phillips, and Chair Ilana Krepchin, thanking them for their commitment and vision.
• Holiday Reflections: Superintendent Carmona reflected on the diverse traditions and celebrations of the season, emphasizing light, generosity, and hope amidst global challenges. He encouraged kindness and respect within the community and highlighted the dedication of teachers, staff, and school leaders.
  • Holiday break begins December 23rd, with schools closed from December 24th to January 2nd, resuming on January 5th.
• Strategic Plan Update: Amara Anosike (Chief of Staff and Strategy) and Sam Elegyne (Director of Data) presented the inaugural progress update on the district's strategic plan.
  • Vision: A student-centered learning community empowering every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through tailored supports and equitable access.
  • Mission: To cultivate inspired learners equipped to make a positive impact, fostering rigorous and joyful learning environments with collaboration among students, families, staff, and community partners.
  • Priority Area 1: Academic Excellence
    • Focus: Equitable outcomes, targeted supports, quality curriculum, instructional rigor, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), strengthening supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
    • Completed Actions:
      • Hiring a full-time MTSS specialist.
      • Implementation of Sunday Systems (multisensory reading program) with training for special educators and ESL educators.
      • Monthly principal meetings for instructional rounds.
      • Common Planning Time (CPT) initiative for educator collaboration.
      • Partnership with Lynch Leadership Academy for administrator professional development.
    • In Progress Actions:
      • Ongoing curriculum rollouts (Pre-K through 8) and professional development.
      • Partnership with Learning Acceleration Network and ELA/Illustrative Math curriculum, including school walkthroughs.
      • Partnership with Boston Children's Hospital for universal screeners and Tier 2 supports.
      • Launching a middle grades experience working group.
    • Key Indicators:
      • Training on curricula (Illustrative Mathematics, Wit and Wisdom, Foundations, Fishtank) through CPT and full-day PD.
      • CPT leaders trained through Harvard Grad School of Education, Research for Better Teaching, or internal modules.
      • Positive progress in DIBELS, iReady, and MCAS data.
      • TNTP Learning Acceleration Network Data (Fishtank Curriculum, Middle Grades):
        • RLC Core Action 1 (High-quality texts): 93% of lessons focused on high-quality texts.
        • RLC Core Action 2 (Integrating standards/comprehension): 80% of classrooms somewhat, mostly, or fully engaged.
        • RLC Core Action 3 (Student thinking): 33% of classrooms mostly or fully structured lessons for student responsibility.
      • DIBELS Assessment Data (Grades 1-3, beginning of year):
        • SY 23-24: 54% at or above grade level.
        • SY 24-25: 57% at or above grade level.
        • SY 25-26: 60% at or above grade level.
      • iReady Data (Grades 3-8, beginning of year):
        • SY 25-26: 46% of students mid or above/early on grade level for reading; 30% for math.
  • Priority Area 2: Equity and Access
    • Focus: Addressing persistent gaps, resource deployment based on need, diversifying workforce, expanding access to programming (OST, CTE, SCALE), and ensuring welcoming facilities.
    • Completed Actions:
      • New production kitchen at AFA.
      • New classroom at Argenziano.
      • Accessibility ramp at Winter Hill Community Innovation School at Edgerly.
      • MOU for Cummings School, including language for district-wide swing space planning.
      • Annual building walkthroughs with city departments (DPW, ISD, IAM).
      • Onboarding a new facilities coordinator.
      • Continued annual diversity and recruitment fair with increased engagement.
      • Strategic partnerships with local universities (e.g., Huggsy Student Teacher Program).
      • Increased enrollment in OST, SCALE, and CTE.
      • New SCALE programming: high school equivalency, Bridge to College, ESOL certified nursing assistant, early childhood, facilities maintenance, HVAC, pre-apprenticeship.
    • In Progress Actions:
      • Coordination with city on MSBA project for Winter Hill and potential Brown School.
      • Exploring options for hiring international candidates.
      • Creating alternative licensure pathways (e.g., SCALE paraprofessional pipeline).
      • Launching an Inclusive Practices Working Group.
    • Key Indicators:
      • 22% increase in community school enrollment (since SY 23-24).
      • 26% increase in out-of-school time club enrollment (since SY 24-25).
      • 35% increase in SCALE enrollment (since SY 23-24).
      • CTE program: 28% increase (since SY 22-23), 5.4% increase in ML student participation, 48 high school seniors in affiliation program, 37 students in co-op program.
  • Priority Area 3: Wellness and Joy
    • Focus: Investing in student and staff well-being, quality SEL curriculum, leveraging teams for prevention, expanding clubs and OST with community building, celebrating educators.
    • Completed Actions:
      • Fully implemented Second Step Pre-K through 8 curriculum.
      • SEL specialist in each Pre-K through 8 school.
      • SEL block in each school's schedule.
      • Created social-emotional behavioral support team.
      • Added two full-time prevention and intervention specialists.
      • Expanded mediation program (80 middle/high school students).
      • First annual staff recognition ceremony (June 2025).
      • Expanded club offerings.
      • Community circles held daily/weekly in every school.
    • In Progress Actions:
      • Internal Tier 1 restorative justice circle keeper trainings (66 new staff, 55 students trained).
      • Developing an educator showcase.
    • Key Indicators:
      • Conduct incidents: 18% decrease (Pre-K through 8), 23% decrease (high school).
      • Chronic absenteeism: 5 percentage point decrease (SY 23-24 to SY 24-25).
      • Attendance rate: 94.6% (last week) vs. 92.8% (end of last year).
      • Conditions for learning data: 92% of students feel school values diversity; 73% enjoy school.
  • Priority Area 4: Family and Community Engagement
    • Focus: Clear, accessible, streamlined communication, more engagement opportunities, strengthening community partnerships.
    • Completed Actions:
      • Updated multilingual process information sheets for SPS and community school enrollment.
      • Implemented Arbiter for OST club registration.
      • Established direct communication channels with PTAs, C-PAC, MLPAC, Padres Latinos, Asian Family Network.
      • Collecting differentiated feedback from families for SFLC office.
      • Second Get Ready for School Fair.
      • Secured funding for additional food resources.
      • Regular tabling at monthly markets.
      • Collaborated with PTAs to distribute grocery gift cards.
      • Partnered with Food for Free and Healy Community to launch a third monthly food market.
      • Strengthened partnerships with Growing Center, Elizabeth Peabodyhouse.
      • Launched first of five family listening sessions.
      • Developed kindergarten transition roadmap.
    • In Progress Actions:
      • Expanding Arbiter as a single point of entry for after-school and summer programs.
      • Developing new communication platforms (SPS in print newspaper, SPS podcast).
      • Expanding video use for district messaging.
      • Continuing to develop focused family/community engagement opportunities (curriculum workshops, Bilingualism and the Brain workshops).
      • Dr. Carmona attends monthly food markets; district leaders join family listening sessions and PTA meetings.
      • Launched parent-teacher conference working group.
      • Care Card program to return in January.
    • Key Indicators:
      • Enrollment info sessions: 94% positive feedback.
      • 25% of families visit TAB building for in-person support.
      • Enrollment feedback (November): 95% satisfaction rate (40 responses).
      • 235 registrations for OST clubs through Arbiter.
      • Get Ready for School Fair: Over 1,000 attendees, 47 community partners, 92% positive feedback.
      • Average of 294 families attend food markets monthly.
  • Ongoing Implementation: School improvement plans, professional development, progress monitoring, data-driven decision-making (Open Architects dashboard), bi-annual progress updates, continued engagement with families, staff, students, and community partners.
  • Family Listening Sessions:
    • November: Focused on special education.
    • January 30: Special education session.
    • January 14 & February 10: Out-of-school time sessions.
    • January 28: Multilingual learner education session.
• Dr. Sarah Phillips praised the district's deep work approach to improvement.
• Andre Green echoed Dr. Phillips' sentiment, appreciating the focus on deep work over "shiny toys." He asked how the work is being communicated to staff, families, and students, and how feedback is being incorporated.
  • Amara Anosike explained that family listening sessions are designed for deep dives into specific areas, and communications efforts are ongoing, including website accessibility and working groups.
• Ilana Krepchin requested a copy of the presentation for committee members.
• Leiran Biton asked if student representatives could access the presentation.
• Laura Pitone suggested Ms. Garcia could facilitate sharing Google Drive materials with new members for continuity.
• Superintendent Carmona reiterated that the strategic plan's success relies on the willingness and commitment of educators, acknowledging the "heavy lift" of implementing high-quality instructional materials. He expressed gratitude for the committee's trust and the district's progress, while also noting the need for transformational change.

• Ilana Krepchin (Chair)
  • Resolution: Acknowledged her 6.5 years of service, including 2.5 years as Chair and 2.5 years as Vice Chair. Highlighted her commitment to equity, inclusion, and excellence, leadership in parental leave benefits, substantial budget increases, personal perspective as a parent, volunteer reading buddy, meal delivery to elderly neighbors, and charitable art donations. Praised her thoughtful deliberation, collaborative spirit, and steadfast focus on students.
  • Speakers: Andre Green, Emily Ackman, Leiran Biton, Laura Pitone, Eleanor Barish, Sarah Phillips, Katjana Ballantyne, Lance Davis.
  • Key Themes: Grounded, accessible, committed to progress, excellent partner during COVID reopening and negotiations, humble, thoughtful, willing to see every perspective, generous with wisdom, true steward of the work, kind, unflappable, effective, inspiration.
  • Ilana Krepchin's Response: Expressed gratitude, acknowledged being a "reluctant leader," proud of the work done, and excited for the district's future direction.
• Dr. Sarah Phillips (School Committee Ward 3)
  • Resolution: Acknowledged her three two-year terms (since 2020), service as Vice Chair, Chair of Finance and Facilities, Chair of Educational Programs, and roles on various subcommittees. Highlighted her collaboration on difficult budget seasons, accountability in superintendent evaluations, advocacy for a joint committee on school building maintenance, leadership during COVID-19 reopening, advocacy for students regarding policing in schools, consistent equity lens, analytical approach, and extensive knowledge of public education policy.
  • Speakers: Leiran Biton, Emily Ackman, Laura Pitone, Andre Green, Lance Davis, Eleanor Barish, Ilana Krepchin.
  • Key Themes: Supremely confident yet humble, expert communicator, brilliant, intelligent, approaches work with confidence, models respectful debate, brave, dedicated to process, raises the bar for the body, elevates arguments, puts expertise in service of the district, not condescending.
  • Dr. Sarah Phillips' Response: Expressed gratitude, honored to have served, and happy to continue working with the community.
• Eleanor Barish (School Committee Ward 6)
  • Resolution: Acknowledged her service since 2020, including negotiating union contracts (paraeducator pay, family leave, special education inclusion), leadership on the Special Policing Subcommittee, representation on the wellness working group, and five years as Chair of the Rules Subcommittee. Highlighted her attention to detail, open-mindedness, selfless commitment, and focus on vulnerable residents.
  • Speakers: Andre Green, Ilana Krepchin, Laura Pitone, Emily Ackman, Sarah Phillips, Lance Davis, Leiran Biton.
  • Key Themes: Incredible attention to detail, thoroughness, student-centered, ability to keep focus during negotiations, leads with equity, skills in negotiating challenging conversations, progressive policing policies, hardest working, dedicated, brings heart and mind to work, kind yet critical thinker, unassuming, diplomatic, organized, brings grace and positivity.
  • Eleanor Barish's Response: Expressed honor to serve, gratitude for colleagues' grace and patience, and excitement for the district's future.
• Honorable Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
  • Resolution: Acknowledged her four years as Mayor (2022-2025), drawing on 30+ years of leadership. Highlighted her championing inclusive leadership, historic investments in SPS (34% budget increase, including 10% in 2022-2023), strengthened relationships between city government and schools, and prior eight years on City Council (2014-2021), including two years as Council President. Noted her two daughters attended SPS.
  • Speakers: Andre Green, Emily Ackman, Laura Pitone, Sarah Phillips, Ilana Krepchin, Lance Davis, Leiran Biton.
  • Key Themes: First politician to knock on door, welcoming and warm, talked about equity before it was a buzzword, always straight about finances, forthright partner, commitment to vulnerable, feminist icon, championed gender equity, ushered in all-female leadership, lived stated values, transit equity, always made time for talks, listens and comes up with better solutions, unwavering commitment to kids, biggest budget increase for schools, brave in federal administration matters, supported superintendent.
  • Mayor Katjana Ballantyne's Response: Reflected on her 26 years as an SPS parent, the importance of parent engagement, and creating a welcoming community for all families, especially immigrants. Expressed gratitude for the recognition of her focus on vulnerable residents and the progress of the school district.

• Superintendent Rubén Carmona thanked the departing committee members for their trust and commitment.
• Retirements:
  • Jerry Fullerton: Pre-K Paraprofessional at Capuano, 27 years of service.
  • Liz Doncaster: Director of Student Services, 23 years of service.
    • The Director of Student Services position is being revised to reflect current district needs.
• Departures:
  • Brenda LeBlanc-Jaster: Moving to a leadership opportunity.
• Internal Transitions:
  • Yesenia Reales: Moved from Community Schools to a Special Education Para position at Capuano.
• New Hires:
  • Lovette Jacobs: New Electrical Instructor for CTE at Somerville High School.
    • Bio Highlights: Electrician with IBEW Local 103 (8+ years), strong advocate for women's advancement in construction, equity for minorities, and expanded access to career opportunities for inner-city residents. Involved in union leadership (Local 103 Women's Committee, Renew, Electrical Workers' Minority Caucus). Mentors apprentices and promotes safety.
• Parental Leave Vacancies:
  • Shalom Krinsky: Grade 5 Teacher at West.
  • Jeff Turney: [Position not specified] at Kennedy.
  • May Hughley: Speech and Language Pathologist at Healy.
  • Lil Wash: Grapevine Teacher at Healy.
• Ongoing Hiring: Substitute teachers, athletic coaches (basketball, swimming, tennis, ice hockey).
• Dr. Emily Ackman expressed excitement about the new electrical teacher hire.

• Joint School Building Facilities and Maintenance Subcommittee Meeting - December 8th, 2025
  • Motion: To accept the report.
    • Moved by: Ms. Barish
    • Seconded by: Mr. Biton
    • Vote: All in favor. Motion carries.
  • Leiran Biton raised a question about janitorial staffing for the city, identified through a constituent. He inquired if this falls under the building committee's purview or should be directed to the district.
    • Andre Green noted that an official MOU between the city and schools regarding building healthfulness, as required by state law, needs to be established.

• No specific update on the MSBA project.
• The Educational Leadership Team (ELT) continues to meet with designers and OPM to identify district strengths and needs, including special needs and ML needs.
• Visits to different buildings and meetings with educators and parents are ongoing.

• Superintendent Rubén Carmona recused himself from this item.
• Context: Circuit Breaker funds received in July 2024 (for FY25) were not spent within the required timeframe and would revert to free cash for the city.
• Proposal: To establish a Special Education Reserve Fund to manage unanticipated or unbudgeted costs for special education and recovery high school programs, out-of-district tuition, or transportation. This is considered best practice and aligns with municipal finance law.
• Laura Pitone inquired about the funding mechanism and if this would be an annual allocation.
  • It was clarified that this specific instance involves approximately $430,000 from Circuit Breaker funds that would otherwise become free cash. The fund provides a buffer for variable and unpredictable special education costs.
• Leiran Biton asked why this approach was chosen over pre-paying tuitions or other expenses.
  • It was explained that the contractual obligation for using those specific funds had expired, making them free cash. The fund aims for cleaner accounting for out-of-district placement and transportation.
• Motion: To authorize the city to vote to accept the provisions of Mass General Law C4013E to establish a special education reserve fund.
  • Purpose: To be utilized in upcoming fiscal years to pay, without further appropriation, for unanticipated or unbudgeted costs of special education and recovery high school programs out of district tuition or transportation.
  • Conditions: The balance shall not exceed 2% of the annual net school spending. Funds shall only be distributed after a majority vote of the School Committee and a majority vote of the City Council.
  • Moved by: Ms. Barish
  • Seconded by: Dr. Phillips
  • Vote: All in favor. Motion carries.

• Policy A, B, and C: [Specific policies not detailed in transcript, but implied to be extensive.]
• Ilana Krepchin suggested that the future chair consider a second and third reading, given that four new members will be present for the second reading. She also advised new members to review the extensive packet materials.
• Laura Pitone thanked Ms. Barish and the Rules Committee for their "Yeoman's work" on the policies and encouraged members to utilize the Google Drive minutes for detailed information on past discussions.
• Eleanor Barish offered to share her comprehensive notes with the next chair for continuity.
• Laura Pitone requested Ms. Garcia to explore how departing members can share relevant Google Drive content with new members to ensure continuity.

• Motion: To authorize the chair to sign the superintendent's contract.
  • Moved by: Dr. Ackman
  • Seconded by: Mr. Biton
  • Vote: All in favor. Motion carries.
• Dr. Sarah Phillips thanked Superintendent Carmona for his service, noting the district's progress under his leadership.

• Leiran Biton inquired about the annual report on the healthfulness of school buildings, as stipulated in last year's resolution regarding zero-carbon buildings and climate change. He noted that the SEU agreement apparently names an MOU for this report.
  • Andre Green added that state law requires a minus rating and an official MOU between the city and schools, which should be addressed in the spring.

• The School Committee extended its deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Kim Phan Vo, mother of Francesca Nguyen Vo Brokman, Kennedy Family Liaison.

• The meeting was adjourned.