School Com all ready
Published on September 3rd, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - The approach of September, with its promise of new beginnings, proved an appropriate time for the School Committee to welcome its newest member.
Everett Street resident Kristen Russo enjoyed her first meeting as an official member of the School Committee last week, filling the seat of David Sheils who resigned in July to avoid a conflict of interest while his wife pursued employment in the school system.
In a joint meeting of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, Russo was sworn in by Town Moderator Michael Rotondi following selectman approval of her appointment.
A Stoneham native and Stoneham High School graduate, Russo called the appointment "an opportunity to give back to the school system that allowed me to move forward and do well with my education."
The School Committee then moved on to the high school to continue its meeting just days before school doors are thrown open to welcome students.
School Committee Calendar
The School Committee will continue to be on the move this year with meetings scheduled at each of the six school buildings throughout the course of the year. On September 11, the first of those off-site meetings will be held at the renovated Robin Hood school, followed by a meeting at the new Colonial Park School on September 25. In the past, these offsite meetings have provided the School Committee the occasion to meet with each school's parent-teacher organization as well as to tour the buildings.
Personnel & Readiness Update
Stoneham Schools will welcome back Greg Zammuto later this month as the system's new Administrator of School Finance. Zammuto is completing his employment in the Beverly school system and is expected to be on board in Stoneham in a couple of weeks. Zammuto previously served as Stoneham's Director of School Facilities and, according to Assistant Superintendent Joseph Casey, beat out a strong field of candidates for his new position.
Nearly all positions are filled for the opening of school with the exception of one custodial position and 1.5 special education positions.
All buildings are expected to be ready for students and personnel, School Superintendent Joseph Connelly reported. Final maintenance repairs, such as to areas in South School that sustained recent water damage, are being completed.
"Everything is moving forward. There are a lot of little things here and there," Assistant Superintendent Casey told the Independent last week. The push is on and, as expected, all areas are being addressed to be ready for opening day on Thursday.
"I've visited all the schools. They're all in great shape. I'm expecting a very good opening," Connelly said this week.
In addition, letters to Robin Hood and Colonial Park School parents were sent out regarding pick up and drop off routes and times at those new sites.
Dedication
Ceremonies will be held next month to dedicate and celebrate the opening of two new elementary schools. Robin Hood School will hold its dedication ceremony on October 4 and Colonial Park School will be dedicated on October 18.
Completion of the two schools marks the end of the Elementary School Rebuilding Program, which provided the town with four new neighborhood elementary schools. South School was the first school to open in September of 2000 followed by the new Central School, which opened in November of 2001.
Scholarships
The School Committee gratefully accepted a scholarship gift to the system by two community members. Stoneham residents Thomas O'Connor and Clayton "Skip" Cleveland furnished the Robert Manson Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $3,000, to be awarded to selected football and baseball athletes each year. Manson, who died in December of 2001, was active in the community and is remembered for this dedication to youth sports.
Ten Titleist golf bags, adorned with the Stoneham High School logo, have been donated by Stoneham residents Dick Corbett and Jim McCarthy and the Danvers Savings Bank for the Stoneham High School Varsity Golf Team. Athletic Director Mike Lahiff and the School Committee graciously accepted these gifts as well.
School Rental
While the School Committee did secure Town Meeting approval to rent out space in the high school's old metal shop, a tenant has yet to move in.
The town Cable Access Committee has expressed interest in the space as it looks to move its studio and offices from its current home on Montvale Ave. Discussion between the school department and the Cable Access Committee regarding feasibility of the site in meeting both parties needs took place earlier this summer, but one remaining concern is expected to be addressed this week.
Noise from the gymnasium above might affect acoustics in the sound studio. To evaluate this, a consultant and a few basketball players were expected to bounce these concerns around to determine the need for possible sound-proofing.
SEEM Leases
Following a public hearing on the rental of the North and East Schools in July, the School Committee executed those lease contracts with its tenant for both spaces, the SEEM Collaborative on Wednesday. As it has done for the past few years, the School Committee entered into a one year lease with SEEM. The School Committee approved a $1 per square foot increase in rent for the coming year, from $8 to $9. Per contract, SEEM assumes all utilities and any routine maintenance expenses.
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