Schools recognize valued public servant and tackle the budget
Published on April 3rd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA – Amid accolades and a few tears, School Committee member Jeanne Craigie turned over the apple she has worn to every School Committee meeting to School Superintendent Joseph Connelly before finishing business during her last meeting on Thursday night.
Craigie has served the Stoneham public schools for a dozen years as a School Committee member, three of those as chairwoman. Last week, she was told just how lasting an impression her dedication, hard work, strong opinions and tough stances have made on those with whom she has worked and on the school system as a whole.
“You have been the best advocate for our children that any community could ask for,” said Committee Chairwoman Marie Christie, who lost her seat to Craigie in 1989, but came back to win another seat and forged a friendship with Craigie. Serving together in the ensuing years has been, Christie said, “an experience and a joy.”
Among her varied accomplishments, Craigie has overseen many administrative appointments over the years, including two superintendents, two assistant superintendents, four principals, three vice principals, two business managers and a special education director.
In numerous contract discussions, “she was one tough negotiator,” but always fair, said Christie.
Craigie was also instrumental in bringing the elementary school building project to fruition, a feat Christie referred to as her “shining jewel.” In her final hours, Craigie took part in inking a deal with J&J Construction, the contractor who will renovate the Colonial Park School, the fourth and final building in the massive project.
Committee member David Sheils presented Craigie with a T-shirt sporting the designs of the four new elementary schools and credited her with teaching him by example about commitment.
Committee member Marc Grimaldi called her “an ambassador to excellence in education in Stoneham,” and thanked her for her tireless dedication and for “leading with her heart.”
“I think the town owes you a tremendous amount of gratitude,” he added.
“I have never worked with a more dedicated, committed and caring individual than Jeanne Craigie,” Connelly said.
The State Legislature got into the act as well with State Representatives Mike Festa and Paul Casey on hand to thank Craigie for her unwavering commitment to the community.
“We have in front of us one of those unique brands of people who gives a damn... She’s a woman of conviction,” said Festa.
With her family by her side, Craigie said that while this decision to leave was a difficult one, the decisions she made during her tenure on the School Committee were relatively easy because they were what she believed was right, albeit not always popular.
“It’s easy to make a decision when you’re looking and thinking about a kid,” Craigie said.
She encouraged her fellow members to go into the schools often and see what’s happening there.
“We are a living institution and not just bricks and mortar,” she said.
“Now it is time to start a new chapter in your life. It is time to get a life,” joked Christie.
But not before finishing business. The meeting continued and any latecomer to the meeting would never have known that this was Craigie’s last, as she forged ahead on the issues facing the School Committee right now.
Budget Cuts
Among those issues was the cutting of $700,000 from next year’s budget.
As requested, Connelly and his administrative team prioritized a list of budget cuts, from most to least harmful, and stated that if more money is found, the top of the list should be reinstated first.
Among those most harmful cuts are about a dozen existing teaching positions as well as some new ones that were to be added next year.
Connelly pointed out that no administrative positions were included on the list of potential cuts because Stoneham’s staffing in this area is already at a “bare minimum.”
Creative solutions and about $300,000 are needed to avoid these most harmful cuts. The schools will likely turn to the town for help, requesting money either through the stabilization fund, reserve fund or free cash.
“I don’t think any of us are saying to the town we’re not willing to cut, but what we are saying is please allow us to save the teaching positions. That’s what makes Stoneham so successful and so effective.”
The hope, of course, is that no teachers will be laid off, but if it is necessary, the teachers’ union contract stipulates that notification of any position elimination must be made by April 15.
But Craigie, true to form, challenged any cuts to the classroom before all other avenues were exhausted, including transportation costs.
“We cannot afford to bus kids...,” she said as she has previously.
For the past couple of years, Stoneham has moved from fully funding buses to a partial user fee program where families assume some of the cost of riding the bus. Craigie’s proposal requires families to pay in full for use of the bus.
While she acknowledged that this would be a hardship for some families, she was steadfast in her position that, with no money available to pay for buses, the schools have no choice but to put the onus of transporting kids on parents. Students living two or more miles from school would be the exception since state law requires school districts to pay transportation costs for those students.
“I’d rather have a teacher...(We’ll) just bus who we have to. This is a small town,” Craigie said.
The Committee approved the recommendations for reductions as prioritized and to cease funding the busing program.
Parents in attendance had suggestions for making this a smoother transition including greater staggering of starting times among the town’s schools to alleviate traffic and parking congestion, and in-school early morning child care. Both ideas are being reviewed.
Superintendent Evaluation
Craigie was not the only one receiving accolades on Thursday. Connelly received a few of his own as the committee presented him with his annual evaluation.
Each School Committee member evaluated Connelly in eight categories, including Personnel Management, Bud-get Management and Communication and Public Relations. A composite of these evaluations was made and presented publicly as required each year.
In total, Connelly received a score of 4.74 out of a possible score of five.
Christie called his accomplishments of the last year the result of a “Herculean effort,” in his managing of the Central School construction timetable, as well as his successful direction of three administrative searches.
Members ranked Connelly’s Educational Leadership and Personal Qualities among his highest achievements.
“He has a superior knowledge of state frameworks, our strategic plan and mission statement,” wrote one Committee member.
“His love for children is evident,” wrote another.
Members also credited Connelly for being a visible presence in all schools.
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