Swampscott School Committee Approves Five Policies, Honors Six Retiring Educators

SWAMPSCOTT — June 11, 2026 — Swampscott School Committee closes 2025-26 year with six retirement tributes and strong academic data. At the June 11 session at Swampscott High School, the committee honored six retiring educators whose combined service exceeds 165 years, including English teacher Peter Franklin after nearly 20 years and paraprofessional-turned-teacher Allison Norton after 36 and a half years. Director of Teaching and Learning Ms. Kent reported that 76 percent of elementary students are now reading at or above grade level and that middle school students reading three or more grade levels below dropped from 46 to roughly 24 over the year — nearly cut in half. The committee also announced that Swampscott High School has received a third DESE-designated innovation career pathway in Media Arts and Communication, joining only about one-third of eligible Massachusetts high schools with such programs. Five policy updates — including a mandatory rewrite of the timeout, seclusion, and restraint policy required by August 17 — were approved unanimously, while two medication administration policies were held pending review by school nurse Ms. Sealy; committee members raised concern that language about teacher responsibility for stored student medications was "a little gray area." Martha and Miguel were unanimously appointed as METCO liaisons.