The week ahead: As kids head back to school, School Committee discusses safety

This Wednesday, after Waltham’s students return to school, the district’s municipal oversight body will also hold its first regular meeting of the school year; among other things, discussing statewide legislation that affects schools’ protection from interference by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Governor Maura Healey recently signed the PROTECT act, which contains provisions prohibiting ICE agents from making civil immigration arrests in schools.

The School Committee plans to discuss the act and its ramifications for how administrators, teachers and students interact with immigration law enforcement.. 

In addition to the PROTECT act, the committee will this week discuss renaming of the former high school building at 617 Lexington St., and consider ratifying a memorandum of agreement about building trades in the school district.

It also plans to revisit some older business, including finalizing the Waltham High School handbook for the upcoming year and discussing the district’s three-year equity plan.

The committee will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the James J. Cannon Lecture Hall at 617 Lexington St.

Below is a chronological rundown of other city meetings scheduled this week, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4.

Board of Survey and Planning

The Board of Survey and Planning regulates public and private ways and makes decisions on the status and boundaries of lots in the city.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the auditorium of the Clark Government Center. Its agenda will be posted to its page on the city website.

Disability Services Commission

The Disability Services Commission is a seven-person board that works to make Waltham more accessible for residents with disabilities. It advocates and distributes funds for projects related to physical accessibility, signage, interpretation services and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

The commission is scheduled to meet over Zoom at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Participants can request further meeting information from DSC Chairperson Mark Johnson at markj@walhouse.org.