Swampscott School Committee Re-elects Pastor Chair, Reviews Cell Phone and Policy Changes

SWAMPSCOTT — May 28, 2026 — Swampscott School Committee unanimously re-elected Glenn Pastor as chair and appointed Miguel as vice chair at its May 28 regular session. The committee seated its standing subcommittees for the year, including a newly proposed facilities and naming subcommittee — prompted by anticipated decisions on donation-linked naming rights — which Pastor and Superintendent Jason will research before a formal vote at the June 11 meeting. Member Miguel presented first readings of seven policy updates flagged by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the most time-sensitive of which — a full rewrite of the timeout, seclusion, and restraint policy (JKAA) — carries an August 17 state compliance deadline. Miguel also briefed the committee on pending state legislation that would require bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions in schools; both Pastor and Miguel urged residents to contact their state legislators before the bill is finalized. The committee accepted four donations by unanimous voice vote, including equipment for the advanced manufacturing program from Dr. Peter Shekman and coaching funds from the Big Blue Baseball Boosters and Swampscott Track Boosters, and heard a presentation from the school's newly revived ham radio club, which holds FCC call sign N1SHS and has made contacts across Europe, West Africa, and the Caribbean from an antenna on the high school roof.