New Central School Library named after Joanne Harriman
Published on June 27th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - New library/media center dedication
The new Central School, scheduled to open this coming September, will boast a new library/media center dedicated to the late Stoneham resident Joanne Harriman.
The School Committee voted unanimously in a public hearing on Monday night to dedicate the center to Harriman for her dedication to the schools and to the community at large.
For 32 years Harriman served the Stoneham schools as a teacher and librarian. In addition, she was historian and past president of the Stoneham Historical Society, a member of the Kiwanis Club and an active and visible member of the town of Stoneham. She died suddenly in April.
Crystal Apple Award
The Stoneham School Department's final Crystal Apple Award was presented by the School Committee on Monday night to Bill Murphy, Director of Guidance for the Stoneham Public Schools since 1966.
School Committee Chair-woman Marie Christie praised Murphy's superb knowledge of the college admissions process, his ability to keep meticulous statistics and, more recently, his keen interpretation of MCAS scores, as just a few reasons the Committee found him deserving of the honor. Murphy is retiring after 35 years of service.
The Crystal Apple Awards are presented annually by the School Department to individuals who have made special contributions to the success of the Stoneham Public Schools. Two weeks ago, four other Crystal Apple Awards were presented to Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Keroack, Stoneham Director of Public Works Robert Grover, Deputy Director of Public Works Larry Brophy, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon Iovanni.
End of year fiscal report
School Department Business Manager Michael Musto projected a balanced financial picture for the Stoneham Public Schools when the fiscal year ends on June 30.
In total, $18,823,345 was budgeted and, as of Monday, $18,634,553 was spent. Musto reported that the balance of $188,792 is being encumbered to cover outstanding expenses.
Policy review
One summer project the School Committee expects to tackle is a review of school policies. According to Committee Vice Chairwoman Jeanne Craigie, some of the school system's policies have not been reviewed since the 1970s making updating and clarification on some long overdue.
One policy that sparked concern recently is the policy for hiring substitute teachers. This year, the Stoneham School system hired the firm of Kelly Services which supplies substitute teachers for the town's schools. According to Craigie, one of Kelly's substitutes this year was only 18 years old.
Stoneham has gone by the policy that requires a substitute to hold a degree and/or be a certified teacher, or as a minimum requirement, have at least 3 years of college education.
Craigie and Committee member Dan Moynihan will clarify that policy and make sure it is communicated to Kelly Services as well as review others.
Personnel update
School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly reported that out of 41 school department vacancies, 32 have been filled thus far. Some of those positions will be readvertised in The Boston Globe, said Connelly, and he is hopeful that all will be filled by September.
The School Committee interviewed a finalist for the Director of Guidance position, vacated by Bill Murphy's retirement. Finalist Justine Croteau, from Salem (New Hampshire) High School, fielded Committee members’ questions and should find out the result of her job search this week. Connelly makes the final decision for hire.
The School Committee voted unanimously on appointing 11 members to a search committee for a new Assistant Superintendent. Members will include two school parents, two representatives from the Stoneham Teachers Association, two program supervisors, two school principals (Robin Hood School principal Maureen Soley and Middle School principal Jim Andreottola), Superintendent Connelly, and two School Committee members (Marie Christie and Jeanne Craigie). Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Keroack is finishing her final year in Stoneham and is moving on to the Malden school system.
Staggered elementary opening times
In an effort to alleviate additional traffic problems in the already congested area of Pomeworth Street, the new Central School will change its hours of operation. New Central School students will begin their day a little earlier this year, at 8 a.m., and finish at 2 p.m. The Robin Hood and Colonial Park Schools, both of which will be housed in the old Central School building, will run from 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., as will the South School.
South School traffic safety
Main Street resident Bonnie Eicher thought she was asking a simple question, but getting an answer was a different story.
The mother of a South School student wants the section of Main Street near the school designated as a school zone, and posted as such with a reduced speed limit of 20 miles per hour, rather then 35 miles per hour as currently posted.
But the opinion of whose jurisdiction that section of Main Street falls under depends on who you ask. The matter has been presented to both the town and the state several times, but nothing has been done.
While that section of Route 28 is a state highway, Eicher said that its recent repaving has induced traffic to travel even faster than usual, and she fears for the safety of the many school children who travel and cross it daily.
Connelly is expected to get a legal opinion in writing from Town Counsel William Solomon on the matter, and the Committee will then ask the Board of Selectmen to take action.
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