Chair Nicole Brandolini opened the meeting by addressing the district's transition from a standalone Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) role to a broader "Director of Support, Engagement, and Advocacy" position. She emphasized that this evolution aims to meet growing social and emotional needs while keeping equity at the forefront of the district's mission. Brandolini stated, "This change strengthens it by creating a structure where DEI work is embedded throughout our entire district, not siloed in a single role." She acknowledged the community’s concern regarding the change but reassured residents that the commitment to marginalized students remains unwavering, with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) serving as a critical lever for equity.

Interim Superintendent Thomas Raab presented findings from a community survey that garnered 187 responses. While a third of respondents suggested not replacing the DEI position, the majority offered ideas for refining the new role, including specific support for LGBTQIA+ students, bullying prevention, and digital literacy. Raab explained his vision for the position to manage various programs like "Character Strong" and "Second Step" that are currently disjointed across the district. Raab noted, "I really see this growing into a position where we're actually creating a new department in the schools and this is the beginning of that," explaining that the director would eventually coordinate the work of adjustment counselors from Pre-K through 12th grade.

Committee members provided detailed feedback on the draft job description, focusing on data analysis and clear terminology. Janice Lindblom suggested adding requirements for data interpretation to ensure programs are effective, noting, "I would like to see it just explicitly stated in the summary of the position" to attract a candidate with a strong equity lens. Carey Borkoski sought clarification on the director’s role in the classroom, stating, "My assumption is that this person is not directly implementing curriculum, but rather overseeing the implementation of curriculum." Maria Fenwick added that the role should emphasize team building, asking, "I don't know if there needs to be something in this job description that's about building teams" to better integrate existing staff resources. Peter Gates inquired about how other local districts structure similar roles, with Raab responding that while models vary widely, this position is specifically tailored to Scituate's unique gaps.

The committee concluded the discussion with a plan to review a revised job description on November 17, aiming for a February 1 start date for the new hire. Before moving to the Special Town Meeting, the committee addressed pending administrative items. Motion Made by Janice Lindblom to approve the October 20th, 2025 minutes as presented. Motion Passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.