Connelly reviews 'extremely difficult' year for local school system
Published on May 25th, 2005
"The 2004-2005 school year was extremely difficult due in large part to the Central School tragedy on October 1st, continued staff reductions, and the ongoing serious budget crisis in Stoneham," School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly told the School Committee on Wednesday night. "The above issues certainly overshadowed the fact that the job offering children quality education in a safe and supportive environment continues to exist in Stoneham despite of all those efforts."
Connelly outlined the struggles and accomplishments of the school system over the past year in preparation for his annual review by the School Committee. Committee members listened to Connelly's remarks before completing individual evaluations for the Superintendent by June 2. School Committee members Marie Christie and Kristin Russo are then set to compile one composite evaluation to be presented publicly on June 16.
Of the approximately 35 goals that the School Committee set for the current school year, Connelly reported that all but one have either been accomplished or are in the various phases of completion. The lone goal not reached is pursuit of a field house for Stoneham High School.
Among the year's accomplishments are the successful search for a Special Education Director to replace Bob McArdle last summer. That process led to the successful hiring of Kathleen Curtis, who was in place for the start of the 2004-05 school year.
In addition, 20 staff positions, initially lost during last year's budget process, were able to be restored due in large part, according to Connelly, to close monitoring of the school budget and state funds. The elementary school principals established maximum class size guidelines and a back up redistricting plan. Enrollment projections continued to be very accurate. Major capital improvement projects at the high school and Middle School have been completed. Traffic flow problems at South and Central schools were addressed, and money from revolving funds made possible the hiring of additional traffic guards at each school.
"Stoneham's school lunch program really has to be considered one of the success stories of the last year," Connelly said. The system's new Lunch Director Dennis Dockham has made some exciting changes to the menu and has taken on the responsibility of extending the lunch program to St. Patricks School. These projects have helped to generate a positive balance in the lunch budget revolving fund, which in turn has helped to offset other budget difficulties.
"About $190,000 of our budget next year is expected to be offset by revenue from the lunch program at a time where many school districts' lunch programs are losing money."
Connelly also praised the School Committee for initiating joint Tri-Board meetings with the Board of Selectmen and Finance Board prior to last fall's Town Meeting which have proved instrumental toward development of the FY2006 town-wide budget.
Other factors that lent themselves to another successful year in Stoneham, he said, is that the school system's relationships with parents as well as its 375 school employees remains respectful and positive in spite of a difficult fiscal climate.
"Due to our ability to work and communicate effectively, I believe we were able to maintain public trust and accountability."
In spite of the monumental struggle with coming up with ways to finance next year's school budget, the School Committee and administration took time to recognize certain parties that have gone above and beyond in contributing to the continued success of the Stoneham school system. Committee member Marie Christie, resident Donna Weiss and the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce were all nominated and awarded statewide recognition of their efforts by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
Connelly concluded his summary by addressing the event with which the current school year will be forever associated.
"I believe the Central School tragedy is a terrible memory that we will all live with for our entire lives. I am very proud to state that I honestly believe everyone in the Central School community, the Stoneham community, and beyond did everything in their power to appropriately respond to this terrible accident. Many times one looks back and wishes they could have changed how they reacted or handled a difficult experience. In regard to the Central School accident, I believe that everyone stepped up and did the very best they could for all concerned. I thank the School Committee for giving me and all of our school personnel your emotional support and steadfast backing throughout the total experience."
"In spite of our difficulties, it has been a very productive year."
With School Committee approval, the last day of this school year is Tuesday, June 21.
In other news, the Seem Collaborative is seeking additional space for its program and the timing of that need may be on Stoneham's side. Currently, the old Central School houses orth Reading's Batchelder School population while awaiting their school'd building project. North Reading students are expected to leave their temporary digs at Stoneham's old Central School at the end of next year, coinciding with the timing of Seem's need for additional space. Seem is interested in purchase or long-term rental and Stoneham school system is working to steer them in the direction of the historic building on Central Street.
Finally, Marie Christie has taken over the gavel from Cheryl Walsh and will serve as the committee's new chairperson for the coming year.
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