With football looking at a so-called “sandwich season” in late February, the rest of the W-H athletic season is planned to begin Friday, Sept. 18, Athletic Director Bob Rodgers said in briefing the School Committee, on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Competitive cheerleading has also been rescheduled, according to MIAA safety guidelines.

“We are very fortunate at Whitman-Hanson to be part of the Patriot League,” Rodgers said. “We’re like-minded schools, putting the safety of the kids first, but we also recognize that this is a very stressful time for students.”

He said that, whether a student’s outlets are drama, music, art or athletics, they need “some semblance of normalcy.”

The Patriot League’s athletic directors have been meeting on a nearly weekly basis, creating what they are calling a “Patriot League bubble” — which sees each team play only other schools within their division of the league. Two exceptions will be in girls’ sports, playing a single game vs Notre Dame of Hingham in soccer, volleyball and field hockey because that school does not have enough other opponents. To maintain Title IX balance, the boys’ soccer team will play North Quincy.

Safety measures governing crowd size and the requirement for face masks for players on volleyball and soccer teams, could evolve later on. The end date for spring sports — which starts on April 26 would be July 3.

“If we were to have some outbreak of coronavirus, we would be able to do some really good contact tracing because we will know who we’ve played,” Rodgers said.

He acknowledge that some people are unhappy that there will not be a state tournament in the fall, adding there might be one in the winter or spring if conditions improve.

“This really isn’t about championships,” Rodgers said. “It’s not about banners in the gym. It’s about giving kids participation, allowing them to be a part of something.”

He said the 11-12 game season will be about being able to play their sport, not about winning. When that shortened season is over, teams will play for what is being called the Patriot League Cup with play concluding no later than Nov. 20.

Rodgers estimated that teams would play two games a week with, perhaps more Saturday games in the past because transportation is going to be a “major issue.”

He also indicated that between the budget situation and ongoing cost of PPE and other coronavirus-related expenses, that he would return to the School Committee Sept. 9 to speak in-depth about user fees.

“We don’t pay much for athletics in W-H,” he said. “Our athletics are funded by the fundraising we do, through our user fees and through our gate receipts.”

Well-attended games and the resulting gate receipts pay for — among other things — ice time for boys’ and girls’ hockey, but with crowd limitations due to social distancing regulations, gate receipts will be reduced this year.

While the number of games are reduced, some schools are increasing user fees.

“I’m not going to ask this committee to raise the user fee, but I do want to keep it exactly where it is,” Rodgers said. He does, however, want to adopt a sliding scale refund policy in the event of games or season cancellations.

Coaches have also been offered the opportunity to take a leave of absence without the fear of losing their position if they are concerned about teaching job responsibilities or health issues.

School Committee members debated the merits of opening school doors in September before voting in support of the School District’s hybrid reopening plan.

“Nobody’s going to be happy today,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak. “Some people will be thrilled. Some people will be really upset. Some people will say, ‘Oh, great, that’s what they decided.’”

Some School Committee members initially favored a more cautious approach.

“My main concern is really taking more of a conservative and cautious approach with the hybrid plan itself, really almost slowing down the pace,” said School Committee member Dawn Byers. Even limiting the number of students in the building at one time to half the student population worries her a bit, leading her to wonder if the district could create a “hybrid of a hybrid” by phasing in the district’s plan.

“I think of this as a marathon from September to June, not necessarily ‘We’ve got to do all of this in September,’” she said.

“We can pivot on anything,” Szymaniak said. “I know other districts are talking the same thing as a slower roll-in [but] I am concerned that, if we have a spike by October, and we never get in, we’re not getting in.”

Speaking as the former high school principal, Szymaniak said it is amazing how the building “opens up” each June after the senior class graduates. The hybrid approach would only bring half the student body in at one time.

“[Principal Dr. Christopher] Jones is going to have a structure in place to keep them apart,” Szymaniak said. “I believe it will be safe in this building.”

But Szymaniak said a longer phase-in is an option for the School Committee. He is trying to balance educational progress with student safety and parent schedules.

He also said the smaller class sizes possible with the divided student cohort days may provide some opportunities to improve teaching practices.

Assistant Superintendent George Ferro said the proposal as presented gives teachers time to assess how students will react to the plan.

The plan still could pivot to a regular school program by the second semester if things go well, according to Szymaniak. Ferro added that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will also be looking at metrics of how a community is faring with coronavirus.

WHEA representative Kevin Kavka said that — while the union will work with school leadership on hours, wages and conditions no matter what plan is adopted — there is a great deal of anxiety among teachers.

“The general trend is, ‘We’ll make this work, we want to do what’s best for kids,’” he said about a survey of teachers. “But there’s certainly concerns over safety.”

He said Szymaniak and Ferro’s presentation addressed some of those concerns.

School Committee member Fred Small said that, in speaking with teachers in his family, they stressed to him how important it is for teachers to make a connection with their students.

In other business, Szymaniak presented a policy on mask wearing in which teachers wear masks all the time and students in kindergarten through grade 12 also wear masks.

“The best barrier for this virus is masks,” he said. “If it’s going to make our kids feel safe and our teachers feel safe, I’d like to implement that.”

He said there will be students who can’t wear a mask, but stressed there is a difference between a can’t and a won’t. Students who have documented medical reasons why they can’t wear a mask will be accommodated.

The School Committee also voted to approve an interim general policy on COVID-related issues from the state that permits Szymaniak to make decisions outside of going to a full approval process if COVID issues require it.

As parents navigate returning to school, and with some being informed that school will start with virtual learning due to COVID-19, many are turning to tutors to help keep kids motivated and learning. Hiring a tutor for your child is a great way to help them with a subject in which they struggle, ensure that they’re staying on top of their curriculum, or prepare them for an assessment.

When looking for a tutor, however, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are many different options out there: from frequency and subject matter to types of tutoring businesses. The following Better Business Bureau tips will help you find the best tutor for your child:

Know your options. There are many types of tutoring services: in-home one-on-one sessions, small group lessons, online instruction, and tutoring centers. You also have to choose between hiring an individual freelance tutor, and going through a tutoring company that will match you to a tutor.

Ask for referrals. Asking friends and family if they have any recommendations is a great place to start. You can also ask your child’s favorite teacher, or other school employees for referrals. Make sure the tutor is knowledgeable in the specific area your child needs help in and has experience working with students your child’s age.

Check references. You should ask the individual tutor or tutoring service for references, and contact them. It’s best to speak to at least three references. Ask about their experience with the tutor and what sort of results they saw. When you’re interviewing potential tutors, make sure they understand what you’re looking for. Some tutors are better at homework help, some are better at long-term lessons, and some are better at quick test preparation.     

Discuss the details. Make sure to talk about availability . Having a consistent schedule is best, but you may need to add additional sessions if a big test is coming up. It’s important to discuss pricing before hiring a tutor. Price will depend on the level of experience of the tutor, frequency and type of sessions, and whether or not you’re going through a center. It’s also a good idea to talk to the tutor about benchmarks of success beforehand.     

Include your child. Throughout the process, ask your child how they think the sessions are improving their school work. Find a qualified tutor near you in the BBB directory. Private tutors and tutoring companies promise to boost children’s competence, but BBB says to do your research before hiring.

HANSON — Parting ways with the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, July 21 voted 5-0 to recommend that voters approve Article 5 to amend the W-H Regional Agreement at the Wednesday, July 29 Town Meeting.

The Finance Committee had voted 5-0 against recommending the article. Both boards had voted to recommend approval of the school budget.

Selectmen had met to review the special and annual Town Meeting warrants and vote on recommendations of articles on which they had not yet taken action.

“This isn’t where we want to be, but I really, really truly believe that we should try find a way to support this article and take the 50-50 deal,” said Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell, arguing that the following year’s move to the statutory assessment method is not necessarily set in stone. “You could still renegotiate that agreement — that’s an addendum to the agreement.”

He argued that a “No” vote on the article will cost Hanson more money in the long run, while providing the town less services.

“Everyone has different reasons why they’re not going to support this, and I totally get it,” Mitchell said. “Most of the reasons I agree with, but if I put the reasons aside and I think about the kids and I think about COVID-19, everyone’s been through such a difficult year.”

Mitchell pointed to the challenges the schools must overcome related to the pandemic [see related story] between now and the start of school — and what that will look like.

“If this article gets voted down … We’re the leaders,” he said. “We’re the ones everyone in the town voted for as their voice of reason, and as a resident if my Selectmen didn’t support it, then why would I support it?”

Selectman Matt Dyer initially expressed concern that the article was a “this or nothing” proposition.

“I just don’t think we should be mandated, or sign a contract saying in perpetuity this is going to be statutory,” Dyer said.

Selectman Jim Hickey said he wanted to hear the Finance Committee’s reasons for voting against recommending before he voiced his opinion.

Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan said it came down to a math problem.

“I have to present a balanced budget to Town Meeting,” he said, noting someone would have to offer an amendment from Town Meeting floor to provide the $800,000 needed to fund the article. “Right now, we don’t have the money to cover that $800,000 so it would lead to the significant cuts we’ve discussed.”

He noted the overwhelming margin of defeat of the override question on the June 27 Town Election ballot. He also said there would be no leverage to force Whitman back to the bargaining table.

“If we agree to this, there’s no going back,” Sullivan said, noting he had favored the override.

“I was also for the override and I voted for it,” Hickey said. “But, this is the 11th hour and I’m not willing to take the chance — my kids have already gone through the school system — but, as a parent, I’m not willing to take the chance.”

He said that, while Whitman has the chance to vote on the issue before Hanson does, if Hanson Selectmen do not recommend the article, then Whitman doesn’t have to vote.

“Prior to the [Town Meeting] we’ll know what Whitman did,” said Moderator Sean Kealy about that community’s Town Meeting on Monday, July 27.

“If we, as a board, at least recommend this there will at least be a school system for our kids to go to,” he said. “If this article isn’t approved, there’s a real possibility that the whole school system is going to be shot to hell.”

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed that finding the $800,000 will be the challenge.

“If we pass it, where does the money come from?” she said. “But to think we’re going to get a better offer is delusional.”

Sullivan said revenue is down and new growth is way down, so it would have to be settled at Town Meeting because he said the town could not afford to close the session with that size hole in the budget.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said even if the article fails, Hanson is looking at a bare minimum $10.9 million expense with at least a $500,000 deficit and a future of statutory assessments.

“Everybody’s going to be a colossal loser in that picture,” she said. “To me, this amendment is an opportunity for us to say we agree to the 50-50 for this year.”

She said that while Whitman appears a willing partner to negotiations this year, but is uncertain for prospects after that.

“I can’t believe there is anyone here who rationally believes that we will get a better deal from Whitman,” said Selectman Wes Blauss, but he advocated recommending the article as well.

“I just don’t want to be sitting here on Dec. 2 saying, ‘You know what? We should have took the deal,” Mitchell said about the looming possibility of a state takeover if an agreement can’t be reached.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, July 7 voted to form a De-Regionalization Feasibility Committee.

“People have been talking about it and it’s something we at least have to explore,” Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell said about his decision to place the issue on the meeting agenda. He argued the board should decide how many and what type of members they should name to any committee.

Mitchell advocated at least one selectman and a member of the Finance Committee and three residents at-large be named to the committee.

“Don’t make it big and cumbersome,” Selectman Wes Blauss said, favoring a five-member committee. “Keep it as streamlined as possible.”

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett suggested the committee title — it was originally referred to as the De-Regionalization Committee.

“I think, if you name it a de-regionalization committee, it seems as though it’s a foregone conclusion that we’re going to de-regionalize instead of that you’re going to look at the feasibility of de-regionalization,” she said. “We are not advocating for de-regionalization, we are looking into the feasibility. Just to be clear.”

Mitchell said naming the committee was one of the discussion topics he had in mind.

FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed with a five-member committee.

“Keep it lean and mean,” she said.

Selectman Jim Hickey volunteered to represent the board, and he Finance Committee will be asked to name a member. The vacancies for the at-large seats will be posted on the town website (hanson-ma.gov) for those interested to use in applying.

Indicating that she is aware of several people interested in serving, and acknowledging that other selectmen no doubt do as well, FitzGerald-Kemmett asked about the appointment process. Mitchell suggested a date be set next month for the board to review applications they receive in the intervening weeks — as is the normal practice for filling vacancies on appointed boards and commissions. Town Administrator John Stanbrook will meet with applicants first.

Hickey suggested it could take two-to-three months for any kind of report to come back to selectmen. He has already spoken to officials in Pembroke, which pulled out of the Silver Lake Regional School District, and is waiting to talk to the Finance Committee.

Mitchell suggested a cutoff date of Aug. 4 for applications with the aim that the board would make appointments on Aug. 11.

“I don’t want to make up figures,” he said. “We know what [the W-H region] is going to cost this year, but what’s it going to cost next year? What’s it going to cost in year three? By the time we get to year five is it so much money to Hanson that we don’t have a choice?”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said that, in addition to financial considerations, the committee will need help from Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff about the legal ramifications of disbanding.

“Two to three months is ambitious, but go for it,” she said of the work Hickey envisions ahead.

Selectman Matt Dyer suggested giving the committee until the spring 2021 Town Meeting to present a report and wondered if a School Committee member should also be appointed. FitzGerald-Kemmett suggested a resident active in the schools, but not a member of the School Committee should be appointed.

In other business, the town received a letter from a national lawsuit against Purdue Pharmaceutical’s bankruptcy case relating to the opioid epidemic. Hanson is included in the class-action suit and were required to opt out if Selectmen don’t want the town included by July 15. Hanson could receive more than $6 million, but only a small amount of claims in the $2 trillion would likely be received by the town. No action was required to stay in the lawsuit that would cost noting to stay in.

HANSON — Town officials are looking into options for going ahead with public hearings delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff said she has received several calls from the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as various other boards and commissions about the public hearings that have been delayed. Hanson is further hampered by its technology limitations, as virtual meetings must allow for public participation — not just listening in or watching from home.

“They have to, in real time, be able to ask questions and voice their concerns and positions,” Feodoroff said.

As a result, Hanson’s list of delayed public hearings is long, Feodoroff said, with some of them some near to a conclusion. One was already decided, but a public session was required to ratify the written conclusion.

She raised the issue with Hanson Health Agent Gil Amado and emailed the state Department of Public Health, which said they viewed the meetings as not an essential service, and still governed by the state’s 10-person limit for public gatherings. Gov. Charlie Baker’s most recent order did not address public hearings by municipalities, instead covering the legislative process — town meetings — Feodoroff said.

Regular Board of Selectmen meetings are considered executive board meetings and do not come under the order permitting in-person meetings unless it is an emergency.

Her email to the DPH epidemiologist argued the hearings were an essential service, which is interfering with other critical services such as construction and development.

The DPH deferred to Amado as the local health agent.

After discussing the issue with Amado and Town Administrator John Stanbrook to develop two options: hold hearings outside or at a school.

Outside meetings held at night raise problems from mosquitos, heat and other weather conditions and adequate lighting.

Amado said he would contact WHRSD Facilities Director Ernest Sandland about the possibility of using the Hanson Middle School to ensure social distancing of hearing participants.

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said she was “mystified” be the problem as Planner Deb Pettey had applied for a Zoom account that provides functionality to display documents on the screen.

“Planning just had a meeting last week using it,” FitzGerald-Kemmett. “It may be that people do not know how to use it … I understand there is a learning curve.”

She said she was also concerned about whether using the school facilities would incur COVID-related cleaning costs after the hearings.

“I like this plan, I just think that there’s another option, and it should be fully explored before incurring any costs to have meetings at the schools,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Feodoroff said the Zoom purchase was news to her and that she has worked meetings that way, saying they work well. Amado had not heard about it, either.

Selectman Matt Dyer asked if the concerns Feodoroff raised about outdoor hearings applied to the town’s plan to hold its annual Town Meeting outside.

“There are actually no right answers,” she said. “I’ve been to two town meetings that were inside and, I have to say there were some hairy moments, because the town meetings are well-attended — better attended than in other years, for whatever reason.”

At one of those meetings, some people either refused to wear a mask or stay in mask-free areas, she said.

“I’m not opposed to an outdoor town meeting,” Feodoroff said. “I think it’s a better solution, although it does come with risks.”

She was discussing the matter with Town Moderator Sean Kealy

The School Committee on Monday, June 29 discussed the current budget picture under a 1/12 budget.

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak clarified that the 6-4 vote in December was to provide him and Assistant Superintendent George Ferro with a method of assessment to bring to the communities in February.

The schools began working within a 1/12 budget on Wednesday, July 1 — using fiscal ’21 cherry sheet numbers — puts the operating budget for Hanson, under the state-required statutory method, at $11,397,219.16 and for Whitman, it would be $14,259,517.84.

The Hanson’s overall assessment under a 1/12 budget, with $350,000 in excess and deficiency and another $700,000 in circuit breaker money, would be $11,156,979.16 and Whitman’s would be $13,899,757.84.

Using fiscal 2020 numbers, with no E&D funds, overall assessment under a 1/12 budget would be $11,374,413.46 and Whitman’s would be $14,392,243.54. If the commissioner allows the district to use E&D, circuit breaker and cherry sheet funds, Hanson’s would be $11,134,173.46 and Whitman’s would be $14,032,483.54.

The fiscal ’21 budget sent to the communities was $55,320,238 and the compromise assessment was $11,745,020.21 for Hanson and $16,206,216.79 — using E&D and circuit breaker funds.

Szymaniak still wants to use those numbers at town meetings.

“It was a non-binding vote,” Szymaniak said of the 6-4 vote. “The only binding vote can be a two-thirds majority of the … School Committee on the vote and the assessment methodology.”

He stressed that the 9-1 vote was not statutory and was not an agreement, it was an amendment to the agreement put forth in May to both communities for the fiscal 2021 budget. Both communities, in turn, have to approve the method of assessment at both town meetings.

Szymaniak said Christine Lynch of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) told him there was nothing illegal about that vote.

“It’s challenging to explain that,” he said. “But the only way a budget comes out of committee is two-thirds majority. This committee voted a two-thirds majority [for] the compromise, which was a combination of statutory and agreement, and you voted a budget. It was 9-1.”

Lynch confirmed that the committee did nothing wrong. Only 10 regional districts in the state are now using the agreement methods with DESE now requiring boards of selectmen to sign off on it when their towns approve it.

Given financial storm clouds they see on the horizon, committee members did not favor taking any more money out of excess and deficiency — which is needed for emergency expenses.

Business Manager John Tuffy said the commissioner of education will set a budget that represents an expenditure limit. It doesn’t tell what the funds can be spent on — just the total amount that can be spent based on the current fiscal 2020 budget.

Payroll adjustments will be needed because of the cost of salaries that won’t be met by the 1/12 budget, Szymaniak said. The law requires that, without a budget, all non-professional status teachers had to be sent a reduction in force letter until a budget is approved. The district sent out 117 RIF letters.

“We never said we were reducing 117 teachers,” said Committee Chairman Bob Hayes. “Hear me clearly, we never said that. We said we were reducing in force roughly 40 teachers and staff.”

“This wasn’t a bluff,” Szymaniak said. “That’s not a tactic I’m going to use.”

The disctrict has also been reduced in bond rating from a AA to AA- based on the low level of cash in excess and deficiency.

Szymaniak began his report to the committee by commenting on “vile” remarks about and photos of him posted on social media over the weekend.

“It’s First Amendment rights and I’m not going to tell people to not express themselves,” he said. “But I really wanted to thank the members of both communities who emailed me and Facebook messaged me [as] a show of support in the values and ethics that I put forward and the commitment that I have for the kids of both of these communities.”

Re-opening plans

The district is being asked by the state to formulate multiple re-opening plans — fully remote, a hybrid plan, full day with restrictions and home school. [See page 2].

The first day of school has been pushed back to Sept. 8 with teachers given a start date of Aug. 27 and 28 and three professional development days Sept. 1 to 3. Snow days will be used as remote learning days.

“Parent still aren’t sure of the difference between remote school and home school,” Szymaniak said.

To home school children, parents must submit a letter to the district asking permission to do so along with the curriculum they plan to use, while remote learning is the school’s teacher-driven distance learning program used this spring. Home-schooled children do not receive any school services.

Hybrid programs could, for example, bring students into school one week and teach remotely at home the next.

“It’s kind of nightmarish because we don’t know how many of our teachers are going to feel comfortable coming back to school to teach during COVID-19,” he said. “We don’t know how many students are going to be sent to school by their parents during this pandemic.”

Parents and teachers have been asked to complete a survey to glean that information. All plans must be submitted to DESE by mid-July.

Szymaniak said transportation arrangements are not yet decided.

“We don’t know how many of our staff are going to be returning,” he said. The prospect of laying off about two dozen teachers in the worst budget scenario “really challenges us.”

Measuring distances in actual classrooms, Szymaniak said it appears about 20 students can be fit into a high school classroom, but they have not yet done the elementary school. Class size — to be determined by the budget — will have an effect on that.

“We may not have enough staff,” he said. The district expected to hear the 1/12 budget number by June 30. A $250 per student stipend to cover PPE costs is also being worked on by the state. State Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke, is also working on funding of between $250,000 and $300,000 to beef up technology for remote learning.

Parents were asked to please return the survey to help make determinations on how the plans will be designed.

Szymaniak said the district is slowly working toward opening summer programs, but building use programs will not be allowed at the high school — except for district-run camps.

New faces

The W-H Regional School Committee welcomed its newest members, 19-year-old David Forth Jr., of Whitman, and Hillary Kniffen of Hanson — and congratulated returning incumbent member Steve Bois during the reorganizational meeting.

Szymaniak, presiding until a chairman was elected, also thanked Whitman’s Alexandria Taylor for her six years of service and Hanson’s Robert O’Brien Jr., for his nine years of work on the committee. Taylor was narrowly defeated in the Saturday, June 27 town elections and O’Brien opted not to seek re-election.

“It’s not an easy task, as those who have been here for many years know, but it is rewarding and you are here for the students,” Hayes said in his welcoming remarks to Kniffen and Forth.

“It’s great to see new faces on the committee,” Szymaniak said. “This is a great team to be on.”