School Committee finds money for Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Published on June 20th, 2001
June 14 was a busy night for the School Committee.
The Committee did a little bit of everything, from figuring out how to fund an elementary school curriculum coordinator to fixing the sidewalk. Well, the members didn’t actually do road work, but they worked for more than four hours.
Taking care of business
•The Committee bought new textbooks for eighth grade English, and high school level French, earth science, biology, geometry and algebra as well as kits to complement science labs. All the books are geared toward teaching the state mandated frameworks that provide the subject matter for MCAS questions.
•The Committee presented four out of the five 2001 Crystal Apple Awards at the June 14 meeting. One more will be presented Monday to an individual who could not make the last meeting (it’s a surprise).
Outgoing Assistant Super-intendent Elizabeth Keroack took home an Apple. The Committee praised her tireless work on the curriculum and her success in getting grant money.
DPW Director Bob Grover and his Deputy Director Larry Brophy received Apples. The Committee thanked them for always responding quickly to handle emergencies on school grounds.
Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Iovanni received an Apple. The Committee applauded her work in the community, especially the mentoring program that she developed to let Stoneham High School students learn from local professionals.
•The Committee briefly discussed the Department of Education audit of the school system. Everything was strong except for some accounting practices, which the new Business Manager Michael Musto is working to improve.
•Principals presented their annual school improvement plans. Dr. Paula Sline of South, Maureen Soley of Robin Hood and Maureen Burke of Colonial Park spoke at the June 14 meeting. All three principals made the same key point: the schools have to work with parents to prepare children for the MCAS.
•For example, Soley said that Robin Hood will offer a seminar to teach parents the vocabulary used in class. Children learn more easily if the language of instruction is consistent in school and at home.
The rest of the principals will come before the Committee on June 25.
•The School Committee signed the North School lease to SEEM, one year for $92,000.
•A hearing to discuss possible names for the Central School Library was set for June 25. Joanne Harriman was the only name mentioned at the June 14 meeting, but School Committee policy requires a hearing for public input. The June 25 meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the South School.
•Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly offered the School Committee a method of paying for an elementary curriculum adviser, a longtime request from school principals. The old Central School will house 175 fewer students in 2001-2002 when the new Central opens. Two teaching assistants have left the system. So without firing anyone, two positions will be cut from the budget by reducing the number of assistants at Central by two. This saves $24,000.
The rest of the money for the $60-65,000 curriculum director position will come from eliminating a $38,000 elementary reading specialist. But again no one will lose a job. This specialist will be assigned to one of several other teaching vacancies in the system. And Title One grant money will allow the schools to hire a Title One specialist. These educators provide reading assistance to first and second grade students.
•The School Committee also voted to spend money left in the Capital Fund from last fall to replace the curb on the right hand side of the driveway along the softball field and to repair the sidewalk in front of the High School.
Districting dilemma
Rosemary Geary of Summer Street asked why her grandson has to go to the elementary school farthest from his home.
The districts drawn by the School Department last year would put her grandson in the Colonial Park School District, although the South, Central and Robin Hood Schools are closer to his home.
Connelly explained that to maintain neighborhood schools with classroom sizes beneficial to all students townwide, the districts prepared are ideal. Much time went into running the numbers and drawing the boundaries, Connelly said. But in some limited cases, Connelly acknowledged, children won’t be sent to the nearest school because this districting plan, like any alternative, cannot be perfect.
“But why the school farthest away... Any one but that one would be better,” she said.
The School Committee then agreed to reassess the districts when more enrollment numbers become available. But no formal vote was taken.
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