Weston School Committee Hears Superintendent Evaluation, Reviews Special Education Findings

WESTON — April 27, 2026 — Weston School Committee hears superintendent evaluation and special education review in lengthy April session. Committee Chair Adam Newman presented a composite evaluation of Superintendent Karen Zaleski based on the DESE rubric and pilot community surveys that drew nearly 175 parent responses and roughly 50 staff surveys, citing strengths in curriculum leadership, financial stewardship, and professional culture while identifying communication consistency and initiative prioritization as primary growth areas; no vote was taken, with members to review the written composite before it is finalized and submitted to DESE. Consultants from Alliance Education Associates reported that all of Weston's identified special education students participate in inclusionary programs, two-thirds in full inclusion, and praised strong graduation rates and low out-of-district placement numbers, while recommending the district strengthen shared ownership of students with disabilities at the secondary level and formalize its multi-tiered support systems. The committee received first readings of two draft policies — one governing staff response to federal immigration enforcement on school grounds, the other updating restraint and timeout procedures under revised state regulations at 603 CMR 46 — with votes on both expected at the May 11 reconstitution meeting. The committee unanimously approved a $50,000 donation from Weston Athletics Boosters for the Lights on Field 1 Project as part of the consent agenda.