Schools open, administrators and teachers set
Published on September 1st, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - As of last Wednesday, all the pieces were falling into place nicely for this week's opening of school.
School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly met with school principals and various others to ensure that all bases were covered for a safe and fully operational start to the 1999-2000 academic year.
Along with addressing some minor problems and routine maintenance this summer, the school department recently completed two major projects.
The first included executing a creative solution to a request earlier in the year by South School parents, which called for keeping fourth graders in the South's temporary quarters at Stoneham High School. (In recent years, South School has been a K-grade 3 school with fourth and fifth graders continuing on to Robin Hood School).
This endeavor involved knocking down walls to accommodate an extra classroom and converting a hallway into the Business Office, which Connelly said now "looks terrific."
The second major project was replacement of windows and brick veneer at the Middle School. While a late delivery of materials delayed the start of the work, Connelly reported that the project was expected to be finished last week. It was also learned that the project qualified for state emergency assistance funding which translates into the town receiving back 63 per cent of the total project cost of $163,000.
Department of Public Works Director Robert Grover advised that the town's ongoing sidewalk improvement program has continued throughout this summer, with nearly all sidewalks in school areas completed.
In response to questions regarding safety along Franklin Street, Grover advised that the state-funded reconstruction project for the thoroughfare will include new sidewalks and curbing as well as the addition of traffic lights at busy intersections such as at Summer and Pine Streets. When the state will commence this project is undetermined at this time.
Particular attention was given to school bus service for the upcoming year with this week marking the start of a new transportation provider in Stoneham as well as a new user fee system.
Business Manager Donald Simpson reported that as of the start of last week, 430 students had requested bus service with more expected to sign on by the first days of school. With bus routes to be finalized, however, he urged parents to contact the Business Office promptly.
"This year we embarked on a totally different approach to transportation," Connelly said. With user fees expected to offset approximately 50 percent of total transportation costs, he called the new program "a real success story."
Claire Devine of North Suburban Bus Company assured the school principals that each of Stoneham's four bus drivers would drive their routes prior to the first day of school. While they anticipated changes to the numbers of riders in the first few days, she stated that the usual glitches should be minimal.
"We think we're in real good shape."
Regarding discipline issues, Connelly advised that school principals need to be notified of all discipline problems including first occurrences.
"You have to trust that if you tell us, we'll act."
In the past, the schools have employed a verbal system regarding such problems, but principals embraced the written report standard that North Suburban utilizes.
Connelly also reminded North Suburban that, pursuant to a clause in the transportation contract, the school department has the authority to remove a driver from a route if deemed necessary.
Safety Officer Laurence Rotondi was also on hand, reporting that recruitment of Traffic Directors is ongoing as a few positions remain open. A list of directors and their assigned posts would be forwarded to Connelly this week.
In addition, he advised that use of the local media has helped get the word out to parents regarding safety issues such as walking children to crosswalks, using seat belts and obeying posted speed limits.
Middle School Principal Jim Andreottola expressed grave concern with two imminent construction projects.
In a recent conversation with Stoneham resident Jeff Cataldo, owner of the former Mann Chemical property which neighbors the Middle School, Andreottola learned that groundbreaking for Cataldo's new four-story office building is likely to take place by Oct. 1.
"I have a huge concern...for the safety and welfare of Middle School students...I'm envisioning heavy construction trucks moving in and out."
His other concern regarded construction of the new Central School which is slated to begin in February, 2000. The new school will be built adjacent to the Middle School and Andreottola stated that the anticipated increase in traffic in the area raises yet another safety issue.
More detailed discussion of each construction project and the appropriate safety measures will be addressed further in upcoming meetings.
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