Superintendent presents entry findings and next steps from her first year; high school to receive handbook changes and additions

Waltham Public Schools Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa, who began her tenure in July 2024, shared what she’s learned about the district with the School Committee at its Wednesday night meeting.

Over the last year, Mendonsa has led classroom visits and learning walks, held community forums and consulted district stakeholders – including the police department, City Council and Africano Waltham.

Mendonsa formed a Student Advisory Board made up of students in grades 5 through 12. The quarterly meetings tackled topics such as school safety, artificial intelligence and its place in the classroom, cell phone use and school spirit.

“It was a fascinating group, and it was awesome,” Mendonsa said. “We would have a 12th grader, a sixth grader, a fifth grader, and they’d be talking about different topics [in breakout groups].” The groups then reported their findings, reflections and feedback to Mendonsa.

In the 2025-2026 School Year, Mendonsa aims to focus on four main priorities. These include:

• Creating a committee and proposal for the revitalization of 617 Lexington St., which used to house Waltham High School.
• Implementing a professional development plan that focuses on core classroom instruction, known as Tier I instruction.
• Fostering family and community engagement by hiring a chief officer for family and community engagement who will revamp the registration process and consolidate the parent information center.
• Developing a three-year equity plan.

On Thursday, June 12, at 5 p.m., Mendonsa presents her full Entry Plan Findings at a virtual community forum.

High school handbook changes

The School Committee also approved three changes to the high school student handbook.

WHS Principal Darrell Braggs put forward adding the AI and food delivery guidelines that were approved in the May 21 School Committee meeting. He also proposed a cell phone policy requiring students to put their phones away during class and a student placement modification policy ensuring they have the proper number of credits in the midst of scheduling adjustments.

Braggs also proposed codifying an open campus policy for National Honors Society students. This year, the school piloted the policy, which allows NHS students to venture off campus during the day.

School Committee member Elizabeth AlJammal expressed concern about safety and lost learning time if students are not returning to school promptly.

“My opinion [is that the students] have done some hard work academically to this point,” Braggs said. “Them missing some time in the building — they’ve earned that right.”

Students are also required to get permission from a parent or caregiver before they can take advantage of the program, he said.

The School Committee tabled the NHS open campus and cell phone policies — the latter due to concern about damage to devices and questions regarding its effectiveness.

Mendonsa and Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy thanked Braggs for his work as he leaves his position at the end of the school year.

In other action, the School Committee:

• Heard from Ellen Darcy, WHS health assisting instructor, about expanding the program in size and scope, increasing instructors and shifting curriculum. “What we would gain is an additional 14 engaged students per year who are practicing their passion and have identified a purpose,” she said.
• Heard Mendonsa’s proposal to create a principal-in-residence model at WHS. The program provides mentorship for somebody who is licensed to be a principal but has not worked in that capacity at a school the size of WHS.
• Approved six new textbooks in social studies and science, including for AP European history and AP chemistry, both of which are returning in the fall after a hiatus.
• Plans to develop a policy to welcome a district-wide comfort dog.