School Dept. reorganizes business office, School comm. finalizes North School rental
Published on May 17th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - The School Committee reorganized itself last Thursday, with members voting in Jeanne Craigie as Chair-woman for a second year. Marie Christie will now serve as Vice-chairman and Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly was appointed Secretary.
• The School Department's business office is expected to reorganize itself on the heels of two recent resignations.
Business Manager Don Simpson submitted his resignation but is expected to stay until the first or second week in November. Director of Special Services Frank Angelosanto, who has performed his duties on a part-time basis over the past year or so, is also retiring. To fill both pairs of shoes, Connelly suggested merging the two positions into an Administrator of Finance and School Operations.
The position, which could yield a salary in the mid 70's to low 80's range, will be advertised, and a search committee established. Connelly stated that a start date of Oct. 1 is targeted, which will allow a four to six week overlap with Simpson.
"(For) a job of this magnitude, you need a smooth transition," Connelly said.
• The North School lease has been reviewed by the two parties involved, and the school department expects its first rental check on July 30.
The School Committee voted last month to move the preschool programs to South and Robin Hood schools for the next academic year and rent out the North School in order to better meet budgetary obligations.
The SEEM Collaborative offered the school department $92,800 for use of the building during the 2000-2001 year. SEEM's offer was accepted due in part to its small student body and minimal resulting impact to the Collincote Street neighborhood.
At the June Special Town Meeting, the School Committee is sponsoring an article requesting establishment of a revolving account which will allow the rental revenue to be used for upkeep of all schools in the system, not just the North School.
• The committee directed Connelly to advertise for interested citizens in formation of an exploratory Hall of Fame Alumnae Association committee, as suggested in the school department's five-year strategic plan. Outstanding performance in a number of areas, including athletics, would be a focus of the committee. According to Connelly, Stoneham may be the only town in the Middlesex area without such a board.
• Committee member Mary Carey read a draft of a policy to name or rename new or renovated school facilities, largely based on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' policy. With four new elementary schools coming on line in the next few years, the issue of name changing is likely to come up, and a policy to address such is needed, the committee agreed.
Stoneham Public Library Director Hugh Williams addressed the board on behalf of Park Street resident Kathleen Conary who has asked the School Committee to consider renaming South School for long-time teacher Ruth Gerrish. No such requests can be addressed, however, without first laying out a policy. The School Committee is expected to hear a second reading of the policy, then vote to accept as is or amend, at its May 22 meeting. Any requests for naming or renaming can be formally presented after such action.
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