OBSERVER CORPS REPORT 2022

The Town of Falmouth has a School Committee comprised of nine volunteers, who must be voted on during the Town election. Each Committee member is voted on for a rotating 3-year commitment. The Committee chair and vice chair are newly elected every year by the Committee members. This year Natalie Kanellopoulos is the chairperson.

The Falmouth School Committee mission, which is read at the beginning of every meeting is: “The Falmouth Public Schools creates world-class student learning experiences. Our Clippers are empowered to pursue their goals which are curiosity, integrity, and residency.”

The vision reads: “Clippers are creative, inquisitive, and engaged learners who participate in their community as socially responsible citizens. Clippers effectively communicate and solve problems that impact the world around them.”

In observing the Committee, it is obvious that the Committee members take their roles seriously. They are engaged and enthused about the work they do.  The members are respectful of each and the multiple people who they interact with during the course of their work.

The meetings are still remote for the public, but the Committee has begun to meet together in the Falmouth High School Library. Attendees can attend via Zoom. Every meeting is structured the same, with time for open comments from the public, new business and updates from administration. Meetings are scheduled every second and fourth Tuesday of the month; however, that may change depending on Town Meeting conflicts or if immediate matters have to be addressed sooner. For example, the School Committee met off schedule to vote on removing the mask mandate once the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided updated guidance. In that instance, on Feb 15th, the School Committee voted to allow for mask wearing to be optional within the Falmouth schools starting Feb 28, 2022.

This past year the meetings kept mostly to the same format as previous years: a few minutes for open topics from the public and updates from the various department heads-- School Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Human Resources, Director of Student Services, etc, and from the various school principals. Also, the Falmouth Health Agent and School Physician, who have been providing updates at every meeting for the last year or so, only periodically joined the meetings over this year.

The Town website maintains the agendas and all notes from previous meetings.

In previous years, school trips and activities were discussed and approved by the Committee. This year moved more in that direction compared to the past 2 years. However, trips for students were still a mixed success. For example, the high school band was planning on going to New York for a competition, which was unfortunately canceled. But other trips were not, such as a 3 day overnight at MBL. Tthe high school band had a few off-Cape competitions.

During the 2020-2021 school year, Town Meeting approved a new position to be shared between the Town and the School Department for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer, the first of its kind for Falmouth. A person was hired and began the process of meeting with various teams and stakeholders in Town. Unfortunately, the person who was hired has recently handed in her resignation and the position is open again. Superintendent Duerr acted quickly and has proposed to move the position to solely report to the School Administration, instead of split between the Town and the School. The idea was proposed to the School Committee this month and was well received. Dr. Duerr is hoping to have the position filled by July 1. In the meantime, one of the high school assistant principals will act in the interim. 

The Committee is addressing the changes that Covid continues to present to the schools, students and faculty. Though this year has been far simpler then the last two, it has still presented challenges. However, the Committee members are committed to open discourse and working through challenges to figure out what is best for the students.

Meghan Palanza, LWVF Observer, March 2022