We’re well into October
and the month is flying by! So many great things happening – sports, band, and
of course academics. Our School Committee meeting of September 27th
covered a lot of great things too – a very substantive session. For the official version, please check the
meeting minutes, but here are the highlights from my perspective. (Remember
that the items in red are documents located on the Agendas page on the SC
section of the MPS web site.)
Senator Katherine Clark
(joined by Representative Paul Brodeur and bill supporter Amy O’Leary of
Strategies for Children)
Senator Clark, co-sponsor
of H. 4243: “An Act Relative to Third-Grade Reading Proficiency”, announced
that the bill had been signed by Gov. Patrick the previous day. She indicated
that 39% of MA third graders read below grade level, and that 50% of
third-grade students in 100 communities read below grade level. The bill
establishes an early literacy panel to support improvement in this area. For
more information, click here: http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012926-close-achievement-gap.html.
Report of the Student
Representatives
MHS students welcomed
Spanish exchange students, and indicated that the Guidance Dept. was hosting a
College Fair on October 9th (with 50 colleges expected to
participate).
Announcements of the
Superintendent
Supt. Taymore offered a
progress report on her 100 Day Plan (100 Day Plan Sept
29). <If you want to know what
your superintendent has been doing every day, it’s right here!> She also
introduced her New Superintendent Induction Coach, Rosemary DiTullio. * Supt. Taymore announced that Winthrop Interim
Principal Bob Arsenault is stepping down for personal reasons and that the
position will be posted internally. (Parents were notified immediately.) * She indicated that she is searching for a new
Business Manager and that the Committee would be considering a contract in
Executive Session. (We reported out that we had approved a contract.) * School,
subject, and proficiency gap/growth MCAS results were presented (MCAS Data), indicating whether schools were above
target, on target, no change, improved below target, or declined.
Announcements of the
Chair
Ms. Thorp presented the
tentative School Committee meeting schedule for 2013 (2013
SC Calendar), which was approved with the understanding that we may
revisit it if Thursdays seem like they may be a better fit later next year. * Open Meeting Law Training was recorded and DVD’s
have been made and forwarded to principals. Supt. Taymore has a copy available
should anyone like to view it.
Consent Agenda
Ultimately approved were
the School Committee Minutes of 9/11/12, a second vote on Committee By Laws (By Laws
Amendment), and Warrants.
Educational Programs
and Personnel
Guidance Dept. Chair John
Buxton presented a three-fold review including the Class of 2012 Update,
Standardized Test Review, and Middle School to High School Retention (MHS Update). He
stressed the importance of finding the best post-secondary match for graduating
students. * Responding to a prior Committee
request, Mr. Zammuto presented an FY12 vs. FY13 comparison of staff attrition.
With start dates on or after 7/1/11 (FY12), the district had 47 new hires compared with 51 in FY13, an increase of four new hires this year. (A
full list of those changes along with a listing of most MPS personnel can be
found at Administrative and Teaching Staffing).
Policy and Planning
Asst. Supt. of PPS Patti
White-Lambright presented an update to our Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan – Year 3 – 2012).
Finance and Facilities
Ms. Casatelli distributed
a School Committee blog proposal for consideration later in October. * We voted in
favor (and with appreciation), gifts and donations by generous members of our
community (Acceptance of Donations Memo). * A memo was presented that reviewed financial
details of the newly purchased health curriculum as well as monies incurred for
the Victorian Fair School Dept. booth manned by Committee members (Health Curriculum and Victorian Fair).
Stay tuned – I’m catching
up on Committee updates! While that’s happening, thank you - thank you (as
always!) for all the time and energy you devote to our students. Together we
really can make a difference!
