Olson: schools found savings in oil and special ed travel expenses
Published on January 23rd, 2008
STONEHAM, MA - Assistant Superintendent Ann Patriquin presented the Stoneham Public Schools professional development strategic plan to the School Committee on Thursday.
The plan seeks to improve design and delivery of programs and activities to enhance student learning. Based on the school district's strategic plan, the professional development plan covers the next three to five years and addresses the need for a formal, comprehensive plan for staff development to improve teaching and learning.
"Professional development is key if we are going to impact student learning," Patriquin said, adding that professional development must also be in line with the district 's overall mission and the Stoneham Public Schools strategic plan.
"We were adamant that the district's mission was critical to develop the mission for the strategic professional development plan. The district's mission is the overarching one. We wanted to be in line and consistent with that," Patriquin said.
The mission of the professional development strategic plan is to provide all staff with quality learning opportunities that support student learning and foster teaching excellence. To achieve this, professional development opportunities will focus on five key areas: curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture, and technology.
"We see this plan as purposeful and cohesive as it addresses our district's priorities," profession development committee member Sandra Fulmer.
An early release day for students is scheduled for March 5 to enable the plan to be presented and discussed in full with the entire staff.
In other news, School Superintendent Dr. Les Olson called his latest budget summary presentation to the School Committee "quite frankly one of the messier ones I've ever distributed to a school committee," with regard to the budget dance of surpluses and deficits.
"Thankfully, there is a nice round zero right now where we think we are year to date."
This budget summary presented on Thursday showed a five percent drop in oil prices last week, "for whatever reason," Olson said.
"When you have a five percent drop in an 8,000 gallon oil delivery, it does mean something to us."
In addition, the special education transportation account is showing a surplus due to a shift of some special education day students to residential programs.
Other budget savings being realized is the salary savings from retired staff as well as savings from a spending freeze put in place in December. According to Olson, principals have been advised that despite the spending freeze, needs critical to the education process in the classroom should be highlighted. So far, very few requests have been made.
"It's a very fluid situation, but right now it's looking good and well continue to update you through the year....We believe we will end the year within the budget appropriation that we have."
The School Committee's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 7 at South School.
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