Our first meeting following the start of school was a busy and productive one. Here are the
highlights (from my perspective as always):
Supt. Taymore’s
announcements included the following: * A kindergarten update; * notification
of an increase to the district in Title I grant funds which will be used for a
tutor at Lincoln (with those funds by law only applying to Title I support),
and some Title III grant funds (for professional development and assessment
analysis), and she reminded us that these funds must not supplant, they can only
supplement teaching and learning expenses; * congrats to MHS for being
recognized by the MIAA as having no disqualifications in any sport at any level
last year, which is unusual for schools; * a statement regarding an Office for
Civil Rights investigation (as provided in my OCR post); * an upcoming
recommendation regarding a proposed shift in educating students which she will
describe in greater detail in 9/15’s meeting as part of the Strategy Overview.
Summary educator
evaluation ratings were provided (as opposed to individual educator ratings).
There are four standards and 288 staff members, meaning that there were 1152 (4
x 288) ratings. The report details what percentage of the ratings were
exemplary, proficient, needs improvement, and unsatisfactory. Individual
evaluation reports are considered personnel records and are by law
confidential.
Policy KF: Community Use of Facilities was
provided for review with no edits recommended. Reviewing this policy
complemented the presentation by Director of Finance Jay Picone regarding
facility rental rates. The presentation highlighted what facilities are rented,
who uses them, what we do with the revenue, and recommended fee increases.
Changes for this coming year include slight increases to the fees, and the
elimination of the rental fee for PTO’s and Booster Clubs (although custodian
rates still apply). Supt. Taymore and members expressed interest in developing
a fund for facility repairs and maintenance, especially for areas like the MVMMS
Auditorium given its high usage.
Ms. Thorp presented a
proposed summative evaluation of the Superintendent which was approved, as was
an increase in salary consistent with a step increase on the approved salary
grid.
The Committee voted to
support the override question on the 11/3 ballot and gave Ms. Thorp permission
to draft and send a letter to the press stating that. The delegate to the Mass. Assoc. of School
Committees conference is Ms. Casatelli. Ms. Dugan reported on the Birth-to-Five
group and referenced their recommended Kindergarten transition and registration
changes and enhancements, after which I reported on City Wide PTO (as noted in
my earlier blog post). The concussion report noted 11 concussions reported in
the ’15 school year. (There were 21 in ’14 and 19 in ’13 – Supt. Taymore spoke
to coaches being much more vigilant about student safety in this area.)
Remember that you can
access all packet documents on the School Committee portion of the
melroseschools.com web site, or watch the meetings on mmtv3.org. Next meeting
is tomorrow, 9/15 at 7:30 (note time
change due to Rosh Hashanah) in the Aldermanic Chamber.
