Schools plug final holes
Published on September 1st, 2004
STONEHAM, MA -While many children and parents are realizing this week that summer is essentially over for them, the School Committee realized the same at its meeting last Thursday, as it scrambled to put in place as much as it financially could before this week’s reopening of school doors.
A recent special Town Meeting warrant article attempted but failed to transfer $300,000 from the town’s stabilization fund to the school budget to hire back some of the teachers let go when a proposition 2 1?2 override in the spring also failed to win voter support. And, with just six days to go, committee members concurred with School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly that the best use of $91,000 recently made available, was to hire back one elementary music specialist and one elementary art specialist.
“Tonight I recommend utilizing this available money to fill two of the eight positions that we could have potentially filled if last week’s warrant article had been successful,” Connelly said, referring to the wish list of positions to be filled if the $300,000 transfer to the school budget had been approved.
By installing these two positions, elementary students will now have some semblance of a fine arts program. Students will enjoy 45-minute fine arts classes each week with the first half of the year dedicated to music, and the second to art.
“I think that would fill a tremendous void…It would benefit all 1,300 elementary children, not just one certain group, a grade, or a section.”
Another benefit to the hirings is that it frees up a 45-minute planning period for teachers. Two physical education sections were restored at an earlier meeting, providing teachers with another such planning period.
“I can assure you it’s not free time. It’s put to very good use,” Connelly said, emphasizing the importance planning time for teachers.
But where the money came from brought up a word of caution from the Superintendent. Two teachers gave notice of leaves of absences. While such action frees up a considerable sum of money that Connelly wants put to good use, he warned the committee that contractually, those teachers have until March to decide if they will be returning, and contractually, the school department must restore both their positions and salaries. Yet, the school needs the money now and he said it should be used as long as it is currently available.
Connelly also said he wanted to use the balance of that money to hire two crossing guards to monitor traffic on site at Central and South schools.
Budget cuts forced traffic directors to give up their posts for this school year, but Town Meeting in June brought back 15 of the 26 positions.
Last week, Connelly suggested that the balance of the recently available money be used to hire two on site crossing guards, one at Central School, and the other at South School, to help those two congested sites provide more safety for students.
Committee Chair Cheryl Walsh liked the idea, saying that once the children step on school property, they become the responsibility of the schools.
“These two schools, unfortunately, just have a parking nightmare…I would support hiring two guards. I know the money needs to go to the schools but because it is on school property, the money is going toward the kids’ safety.”
“If we can’t guarantee a safe environment for our children, we’re doing a disservice to the education.,” committee member Kristin Russo agreed.
But member Marie Christie disagreed.
“I still maintain it’s the parents’ responsibility to get them there…If the parents are going to take them to school, then they should know how to behave in a school yard…We can’t afford teachers in our classrooms…I just have a hard time funding crossing guards.”
Christie suggested instead that the respective PTO’s provide the parking lots with volunteers. Committee member David Shiels liked that idea, saying that to him, it made more sense getting the time donated.
“I am sure we can get parents. The parents have been so supportive,” Connelly said. “But reality is…nothing takes the place of a paid position,” with regard to commitment and priorities.
The committed voted 3-1 in favor of hiring two crossing guards, one for each school in question, at $10 per hour, 2 hours per week.
Other areas where regular traffic directors will not be restored are Bonad Road, and intersections at Franklin & Perkins streets, Frankline & Pine, Main & Montvale, Pleasant & Pine, Pond & Summer, Spring & Stevens, Washington & Elm, and Williams & Pomeworth.
Some great news for student athletes was announced last week. Just in the nick of time, fall high school sports have been reinstated, Connelly said, thanks to the hard work and generosity of students, parents, and private groups.
“All of our fall JV, Varsity and Freshman sports will be fully funded with private donations.”
The sports include varsity golf, boys and girls soccer, varsity and JV volleyball, and Freshman football. Connelly called this a “tremendous achievement.”
“Our small businesses in Stoneham do so much for our children and they do it over and over and over again,” Walsh praised.
“But we should not have to rely on all of the people, the donations, and the foundations. It should be in the budget. I firmly believe we are doing a disservice to the kids in this community, as well intentioned as it is.”
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