[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5973990,"mediaKeyId","5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b","parentId",5829780,"title","High‑school renovation: greenhouse glass delayed, field‑house progress and music‑room floor work planned","audioSeconds",106,"startMs",3901000,"endMs",4007000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b&start=3901&end=4007","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b/thumbnail_3901000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973990/Massachusetts/Highschool-renovation-greenhouse-glass-delayed-fieldhouse-progress-and-musicroom-floor-work-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973990-1a2a50da6e6574954ea0cbdfd4f2ad03/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610450&Signature=TlCtC6m~jT6vCnEvk0yQ1g6kFBDHDN3511ILTqTzIy8FojjS1jI-PQj38pDfMyBYCurbnGihSy2NZ8iSw6xfz3Js~ai5CyZ26FD3GSPryKHZfUbIC1Ziu7Cd0PO0SYUTIa57HUS0p-Hw74duxKLaVnyLOD2DS4tyCqtuOIiFhfzrWSMw7tsFdeB9t~GHkKHjZIBbvm~06zhD0dW6L0GkH8H6GomIQQTUsdLTcHhyKsszUUfHsEx3w5ro6ZaMANEazmlGX4wP~NrgMaYPRINey1q74YMBjrZ-eRV7ZHIZVVlLFxue~Thf7HsEupwPnK~TX1CgSqK7AfF78zQ11-9u~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walpole Public Schools, MA","date","2025-09-25T21:24:37Z","article","Committee members heard a short update on the high‑school renovation. Administrators said glass for the greenhouse is still pending and that the field‑house schedule is on track. “I think we're waiting for the glass to come in for the greenhouse,” a committee speaker said during the update.

Officials said completion of a new internal driveway will reduce traffic backups on Common Street and improve student and vehicle safety once finished. The committee also approved plans to have the music department floors refinished without basketball‑court lines, a change intended to prevent unintended use of music spaces for athletic activity.

No votes were required; the update was informational and committee members said they will continue to receive periodic construction progress reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee meeting September 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee received a brief construction update: greenhouse glass delivery pending, field‑house on schedule and music department floors to be redone without basketball court lines.","taxTitle","Walpole Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71120,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973995,"District rolls out smart boards, 840 Chromebooks and TalkingPoints; plans cautious AI guidance",819,2657000,3476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b&start=2657&end=3476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b/thumbnail_2657000.jpg","/articles/5973995/Massachusetts/District-rolls-out-smart-boards-840-Chromebooks-and-TalkingPoints-plans-cautious-AI-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973995-93a8bd92aa1349335c2389d06119414d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610450&Signature=kb6gQzWEdbcPhblbA9siWdY23l0nGxn-BS4W0fwjfU2peaq-X1aIWSaHYAP9zVldIIb8vwoVDRGRQOKWr7ivn0eOnTC2M6IktNh5eBDf9oH6yHue~VhBG3p-5v2pwcOkmXC93P0iDxnt7yNQ5fSYypJqBjDu53MV3CVTxO2Qj8M8T4AsYP61S6ps8pcHXN95ZveN22a-Z1c~tW7aQHZooNyqxjgxeKCjbk0cTTacdYLuD4HqykbQvpGpJOXYCEo6Mj6lPwQljfUlDUrRQfLvtbOTs1CmHBZvsJHUE7A7AjGdCDnKUuPI4zOVQpLEjiQjbRDNt8Mfz9sD188CKUImog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Reeve, director of digital learning and IT, told the School Committee the district installed 15 new interactive flat‑panel displays in elementary classrooms and preschool, completed an AV upgrade in high‑school science classrooms, and distributed 840 Chromebooks to students in grades 6 and 9 as part of the annual replenishment cycle.

Reeve said the elementary panels are on height‑adjustable mounts after a seven‑month pilot with elementary teachers. “The decision to purchase these displays came after a successful 7 month pilot program and, with elementary teachers in the district,” Reeve said.

He said 220 staff Chromebooks will be deployed in coming weeks and that the district updated its acceptable‑use policy earlier in the year. Reeve described a cautious approach to artificial intelligence in schools and said the district intends to develop AI best practices and professional development that align with DESE guidance. “My general rule of thumb is the best use of AI is teacher supervised use of AI,” he said.

Reeve also reported a districtwide rollout of TalkingPoints, a multilingual communication app the district used to reach families in their preferred languages; he said parents receive messages by text even if they haven’t installed the app. The technology plan includes new annual cybersecurity and data‑safety training for staff, building on a prior state cybersecurity grant.

Committee members asked about how smart boards were deployed (pilot first at elementary level, full smart‑board implementation at the middle school in the new building) and about professional development for AI. Reeve said he is exploring DESE AI literacy modules and other PD and that the district is in early planning stages for staff training.

Members asked the administration to follow usage and costs over the coming year before wider purchases.","Technology director Tom Reeve reported new interactive displays at elementary schools, a large Chromebook deployment for grades 6 and 9, a districtwide rollout of TalkingPoints for family communication, and plans for teacher‑supervised AI guidance and staff cybersecurity training.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973999,"Special‑education director reports steady IEP rate, staffing turnover and two temporary ESP vacancies",379,2265000,2644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b&start=2265&end=2644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/5973999/Massachusetts/Specialeducation-director-reports-steady-IEP-rate-staffing-turnover-and-two-temporary-ESP-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973999-1de232145b0246f383f40fccc0ca34ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610450&Signature=AyKipP8XCumCmcv40cSwEEspdHtbj1P39Hv02ac7sf~QD2QASI1NBmFvQdPGywXEGGyHOvGIYN1OSPLDm-TbUcH7-765v20skAUDisgccBDokI62kS7wR0qecTpGQzTtg~~Yfe0-X~osIXQMP5x0hnWGKTNPnvJnu4Ml7pCzWwbyPSm170JU7i0Jt3zfQC4IKVpdctgsNky3f~U97r~5LTT3br-CDdAyFtK21pBeTFqb54YiJoC0WMx0fSALdyyCpkcOw3Uz3xbrPIVhijAslNueFzzoKRlJnFdizsZRvi8TqmP2LBVnYpDch91pfnDXAoBmZcy5kKdQSrS8GNc7~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Queally, the district’s special‑education director, told the School Committee that the district had 615 individualized education programs (IEPs) as of June, representing 17% of the student population, compared with a statewide rate of 20.6%. “So as of June, last year, our total number of IEPs in the district was 615,” Dr. Queally said.

She reported 50 out‑of‑district students and described staff turnover since the end of the school year, including one team chair, three psychologists, two occupational therapists, one physical therapist, one BCBA and three special‑education teachers who are new to the district or to different roles. Dr. Queally said two ESP vacancies remain in one program and that the district is exploring contracted ESPs for the short term while continuing local recruitment.

The director said the district used DESE SIMS data for the June snapshot because current enrollment is more variable as staff chase down records for families who moved in after June. She told the committee the special‑education data show no audit red flags, no over‑identification of particular disabilities and no overuse of formal discipline for students with IEPs.

Dr. Queally also thanked administrators for onboarding new staff and noted the district’s improved budget position, which gives more flexibility for contingency staffing if needed. When asked, she confirmed the two ESP vacancies are in the same program and said contracting with temporary providers would be a budget hit but is being considered to avoid prolonged temporary staffing in classrooms.","Dr. Queally updated the committee on special‑education metrics: 615 IEPs (17% of district) as of June SIMS data, 50 out‑of‑district placements, several staff departures and two ESP vacancies that may require contracted support.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974003,"School committee approves two out‑of‑state field trips to Quebec and Adams Farm",382,423000,805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b&start=423&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b/thumbnail_423000.jpg","/articles/5974003/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-two-outofstate-field-trips-to-Quebec-and-Adams-Farm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974003-54f7dbcdefebc75bd9325ca16dc80fda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610450&Signature=cc3zt26zebVvV8gFuHrnJLMbYcfh~tas3oxwzQUKQIVJl35GJrL3HX0nteN~OiTJxr1CgMsEVxWsiEuWmFim9VpZjy5Mf-L-1a74qqVU2bZ0zjWWpyLitpghPGrgf~Ezo-txKzPAQXFbUeMxL6cfJbDb4EuqquRsLqqI37DLAWHoMXTTivf6yKF7~KLO-d~C3axYfa6UwmEonT1-kQCsVc9Hy4MBhwDUS7-w7n3D76CMNI~srzb6bY8llrsbEITISdXXFTXCEL~0A1rx9A~di7kuYVlmKIuOlESn5uSrhoiCnbkb4AfbvdMnzW9-nOt80wpwuiL7iD-FYdnEKhDzug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee voted unanimously to approve two out‑of‑state student trips during the meeting. A presenter seeking permission for an eighth‑grade French trip said the experience is curriculum oriented and includes restaurants, museums and a carnival in Quebec; she described trips lasting three days and said students practice ordering in French as part of the unit. “We go by bus. We go Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,” the presenter said.

Committee records show the motion to approve the Quebec trip was made by Mr. Breen and seconded by Miss Rogers; the recorded vote was 6‑0‑0 in favor.

Separately, the committee approved a Fisher Elementary kindergarten trip to Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I. A Fisher staff member said the trip aligns with life‑science standards and that a parent group (the pack) will provide enrichment funding. “It aligns perfectly with our life, our life science standards. So it's a hands on experience, super fun for the kids,” the presenter said.

The motion to approve the Adams Farm trip was made by Miss Rogers, seconded by Mr. Bean and approved 6‑0‑0.

Presenters said the Quebec trip provider is Landmark Educational Travel and that the district and families are trying to keep the per‑student cost under $1,000 through fundraisers such as bake sales, 50‑50 raffles and third‑party fundraisers. For the Adams Farm trip the presenter said the cost is comparable to the farm previously used and that the school’s pack will cover enrichment expenses.

Both trips were described by school staff as curriculum‑connected; the committee approved them as presented.","The committee unanimously approved an eighth-grade French trip to Quebec and a kindergarten trip to Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I.; both were presented as curriculum‑linked and funded in part by fundraising and parent/pack resources.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5974008,"Walpole police report uptick in youth vaping, outline school drills and prevention steps",1453,793000,2246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b&start=793&end=2246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829780-e0da0b8123deebf14788812156f5ae4b/thumbnail_793000.jpg","/articles/5974008/Massachusetts/Walpole-police-report-uptick-in-youth-vaping-outline-school-drills-and-prevention-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974008-66f5cdf9a3c194f40904382291ae422b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610450&Signature=RuOBYL3H477r2zFDogGNPwro9cDaT1El86VLCi69e7RotKSaM3de2OJhohhN9nZf7JaEyxyrQtUSBRDYA5iZyga73tGO1KPFj6a196Mq9~vWeWjSXX23MELc3MDIgKB66AZKp0cRS8D3F9c7Q20SNijl4LrEK-mWxV8zXIQYXcL1wI4sHpTnkdgsFV~bBelxtjBjTM4CNBAiBe5TomX9ymeG0TNUmzS~rCL2r9r6RSdueXkbMtaIn4MxeGMttqdTWJCNPq07EEr8xdheVAiCEGv9ePPF~lTG1D4pZA5lLw1zI5dzQ3sk1-9gP2QbnmxKTREWVdud0iI028Ht7yn0Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walpole Police Chief Gelliher told the School Committee on the evening of the meeting that the department is seeing continued alcohol, tobacco and THC vaping among young people and remains focused on prevention and school safety. “Obviously, it remains to be alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, the t h THC vaping that goes on with some of the kids at that age group,” Chief Gelliher said.

The department reported four overdose responses so far this year with no fatalities, down from typical annual counts in the past. “So 4 this year with no fatalities, which is down significantly from the past,” Gelliher said, and credited Narcan availability and increased willingness to call 911 for the reduction. He said many overdoses locally involve people passing through the area rather than town residents, and that detectives are working with regional partners including the Boston Police Department and the DEA on enforcement and interdiction.

Gelliher described enforcement and prevention steps: merchant monitoring for fake IDs, targeted stings at package stores, and follow-up conversations with underage buyers. He also highlighted the town’s partnership with the Walpole Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Awareness and a recovery coach position that supports overdose follow-up and referrals.

Officer Hart briefed the committee on in-school training and drills. He said the police have completed presentations and drills at six of eight schools and are incorporating a program using “fatal vision” impairment goggles and pedal carts so students can experience, in supervised activities, how impairment affects coordination and judgment. Officer Hart said the program will include varying simulated intoxication levels and will be rolled out to middle- and high-school health classes and on a high school half day before Thanksgiving.

Committee members asked about practical steps for parents and about communicating school safety procedures. Gelliher and Hart emphasized locked exterior doors, the importance of staff verifying visitors, and ongoing coordination among police, school administrators and the fire department for emergency response and debriefing after incidents. Gelliher also noted a hoax call earlier in the year that prompted a SWAT-style response and subsequent debriefs with the FBI and local partners to refine detection and response.

The department asked the committee to consider helping amplify social-host messaging and other prevention outreach to parents and athletic teams to reduce house parties where underage drinking occurs.

The meeting concluded with committee members thanking police staff and SROs for their continued presence in schools and for outreach to families and special-education populations.","At a School Committee meeting, Chief Gelliher and Officer Hart described local substance-use trends — especially vaping and alcohol — school safety drills completed at most buildings, and planned student impairment simulations using goggles and pedal carts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

High‑school renovation: greenhouse glass delayed, field‑house progress and music‑room floor work planned

District rolls out smart boards, 840 Chromebooks and TalkingPoints; plans cautious AI guidance

Special‑education director reports steady IEP rate, staffing turnover and two temporary ESP vacancies

School committee approves two out‑of‑state field trips to Quebec and Adams Farm

Walpole police report uptick in youth vaping, outline school drills and prevention steps