The School Committee met
Tuesday night and reviewed a wide variety of topics. Most importantly, we began
with a moment of silence in memory of MHS student Rob Davey who tragically died
last week. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and the MHS staff who
cared so much about him.
In the Announcements of
the Superintendent, we first reviewed the SEEM Annual Report. (Many of our
special education students attend SEEM schools, and two former Melrose
buildings are rented to them.) Supt. Taymore announced the resignation of
Director of Finance and Administrative Affairs Jay Picone, effective in late
April. She also noted that two Melrose educators, Tom Scudder and Josh
Cristiano, have been asked to present at the Mass. Computer Using Educators
conference. Finally, she indicated that a newly revised chain of command has
been crafted and is on the web site under the student link, with the intention
of “…guid[ing] anyone with a specific question to the correct source…[so
that]…questions and concerns can be addressed promptly by the specific person
who has direct responsibility…”
MHS Principal Farrell and
Assistant Principal Fogarty shared that three students from Brazil are joining
our student body until June. They are living with Melrose families and are very
excited to be a part of our school family. Also in the area of Educational
Programs and Personnel, Ms. Kourkoumelis offered the subcommittee’s beginning
of year report.
In Finance and Facilities,
the Mid-year Budget Update was provided, and Director of Finance Picone
explained that he did not expect end-of-year budget overages as of this time. Legal
bills that will come before the Committee in February for approval were
summarized (as a point of information), broken down by type of expense and
month. Supt. Taymore spoke to her interest in training staff on improving
their communications, and has retained a consultant to perform that training, funding his work through some unexpected computer refunds from the state. (He
has, and will continue to, help the district craft communications to the
community that keep us informed in a more comprehensive and timely manner.)
Finally, the Supt. provided her FY17 Budget Message, in which she outlined
budget priorities in the areas of staffing, contractual obligations, curriculum
resources, technology, professional development, transportation, and budget
flexibility. She then outlined challenges in the areas of state and federal
funding; city revenues; health insurance; enrollment changes; special education
reimbursements from the state, programs, and services; English as a Second
Language programming, training, and resources; state and federal mandates;
anticipated curriculum changes (e.g. science and social-emotional learning);
contractual obligations; and concerns about unknown possibilities (e.g. MCAS
2.0, data reporting requirements, etc.).
Two dates were added to
the budget calendar: On Saturday,
March 5th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., administrators will present
their budgets and explain their recommendations. On Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00, the
Committee will convene a Budget Forum in which Supt. Taymore will address
questions from the community about her recommended budget. Stay tuned for
location info!
If you want to know the
topics anticipated for future Committee meetings, please read the newly updated
rolling agenda. Committee norms were discussed, and we expect to finalize them
at our next meeting. Liaison assignments were announced, and reports were heard
regarding the Competency Based Education Task Force, State Advocacy, and the
Melrose Master Plan (Melrose Forward), which will hold a public forum on February 10th at 7:00
at the Milano Center (with all welcome!).
Next meeting is Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00 in the Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall. The agenda and packet documents will be posted on Friday, February 5th. Anticipated topics at this time include a public hearing on school choice at Melrose Middle School, Campus Kids fees, and a technology update.
