New SHS teachers ready for duty
Published on July 31st, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - Kids may not want to hear this but parents will be happy to learn that nearly all teachers and administrators for the Stoneham Public Schools are in place for the start of a new school year.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Casey updated the School Committee on Thursday on the status of new personnel hires. Of the 43 open positions the system had in total going into the new academic year, all but six have been filled.
On the administrative side, Stoneham is still receiving applications for the position of Director of Facilities. Thirteen resumes have been received thus far and School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly anticipated reviewing about 20 in all by the July 30 submission deadline.
With regard to teaching positions, the High School needs a part time Directed Studies teacher and a part time Spanish instructor. In addition, a math teacher is needed at this level and one Middle School math teacher has expressed interest in moving to this position. That could be done if a qualified replacement math teacher at the Middle School level can be found.
Remaining open positions are in the Special Education department, including an elementary Speech teacher, a Middle School Developmental teacher and an IEP team chairperson.
Casey said Stoneham’s situation of searching for such a large number of personnel is not unique; many other communities are facing the same challenges. However, he thanked the School Committee for allowing the search for qualified personnel to begin early - as early as last February in some cases - while other districts continue to scramble.
"By letting us go out early, in a timely fashion to get the cream of the crop, we were able to do just that."
"Even though we’re at the end of July we feel that we can wrap this up over the next several weeks," he added.
Connelly praised the good work of Casey and his team, consisting of principals and program supervisors, who have been charged with the difficult task of successfully filling the large number of positions in such a competitive market.
"He has done a real fine job this summer coordinating this."
In other news, it does not look like the new elementary schools in town are likely to pay for themselves any time soon, but the School Committee learned last week that the schools could reap financial benefit by catering to more than just youngsters.
During the past school year, the School Committee formed an Alternative Revenue subcommittee charged with finding new sources of revenue to offset the school budget. One idea was to look into renting out school space to other organizations, such as area colleges with night courses.
As Connelly reported on Thursday, there is such a need out there and Stoneham has already begun to tap into it.
"We’re very pleased to inform you that we’ve had two very successful rentals evolve."
Earlier this month public television station WGBH rented the new Central School for two weeks which generated $5,000 in rental revenue.
In addition, discussions with Cambridge College has yielded that organization’s reservation of the new Central School’s Library/Media Center for an upcoming weekend and another possible rental for the week of April vacation.
The fee structure that Stoneham will use is $425 per day for an 8-hour session, with additional charges for use of the computer lab, media center, computer supply usage and custodial charges.
Already, between WGBH and Cambridge College’s upcoming weekend and possible week-long rental, the school department is looking at the potential of bringing in $10,000. This money would go into the Building Rental Revenue Account which the School Committee controls and can be used for building maintenance to significantly offset expenses in that budget account.
Casey reported that Cambridge College currently holds offsite courses in other area public school systems but has not had the best success in those facilities. He said that Stoneham schools are desirable because of the town’s central location and proximity to highways. The idea of using Stoneham as a satellite campus was pitched to Cambridge College representatives.
"Stoneham will have in a very short time four brand new schools, four brand new library/media centers," all of which could be a big draw to area colleges and organizations, said Connelly.
He added that when Cambridge College representatives came to the new Central School to meet with Stoneham school officials, they were very impressed.
"The building sold itself."
A letter will be sent out to other area colleges alerting them to the availability of Stoneham school buildings.
"I think a lot of colleges will be interested...It’s a great development," said School Committee Chairman Dan Moynihan.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!