Week in Review

Superintendent Stays in Spotlight, Hot Sauce Assault

Patch takes a look back the week's biggest stories.

Here is collection of headlines from the past week on Marlborough Patch. Follow the link to see the stories: A local  man made local and national headlines after his arrest for assaulting a 6-year-old child and pouring hot sauce into his mouth. The alleged assailant has his bail revoked due to earlier criminal activity.  Superintendent Anthony Pope dominated the headlines on Thursday, when the city's teacher's union took a vote of no confidence in the schools leader and Pope was in court, where a clerk magistrate cleared him of any charges in connection with an alleged shoving incident during a rally at the high schoole earlier this year. The city's community garden inititiave is proving to be extremely popular, with city officials telling…

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QCC Mints 34 New Grads from Marlborough

The college held commencement on Thursday with 1,327 diplomas handed out in all, 34 of them to Marlborough residents.

Thirty-four Marlborough residents were among those who received certificates and diplomas from Quinsigamond Community College's commencement on Thursday.   In all, 1,327 diplomas were granted at the ceremony, on the college's Worcester campus.  QCC said it has met President Obama's goal of doubling graduation rates nationwide, issuing twice as many diplomas as it did in 2007. Obama set the goal shortly after taking office, with a target date of 2020.  Those from Marlborough earning associates in science degrees were: Laura Anderson, David Bacon, Sherry Bresnahan, Natalia Coelho, and Tyler Russell.  Awarded associates in science degrees were:  Soraia Andrade, Christine Bennett, Nicholas Castellone, Diego Correa, Ryan DeGiacomo, Jeremy …

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Superintendent Update: Magistrate Rules No Probable Cause; Teachers Vote 'No Confidence'

Pope said he fears ongoing controversies could become a distraction for students.

The Marlborough Educators Association (MEA) on Thursday approved a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Anthony Pope, just hours before a clerk magistrate in Marlborough District Court ruled there was no probable cause to charge Pope for assault as requested by a high school guidance counselor.  A magistrate ruled there was insuffient evidence to move forward with criminal charges against the embattled superintendent, who was accused of pushing the female staff member during a student-led rally at the school. Marlborough police had earlier investigated the allegations and likewise found there was not enough evidence to warrant charges.  The teachers vote came in support of a resolution which claims Pope showed disregard for the welafe …

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Councilors Express Frustration Over Schools in Budget Hearing

Several councilors leveled criticism at school officials during a review of their spending plan for 2013.

While they stopped shorting of making steep additional cuts into the proposed school budget for fiscal year 2013, members of the Marlborough City Council's Finance Committee used budget hearings to express their dissatisfaction with school leadership. Superintendent Anthony Pope said $1 million in cuts already made to his proposed budget--the school committee trimmed about $50,000 and Mayor Arthur Vigeant removed nearly $950,000 more--are “hurting us a lot.” “We have a lot more work to do” to balance the budget, Pope said. A major reason for the needed increase is rising special education costs, he added. That part of the budget alone grew 4.2 percent, including rising costs of paying for students who are placed out of district due to …

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Keith Regan

9:49 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Mary-Ann, the topic of accreditation did come up during the hearing. The context was the library, where the decision to fill a slot with a less experienced and non-certified librarian prompted some councilors to question whether the move would affect future accreditation. School officials assured the council it would not.   more ›

POLL: Should the State Ban School Bake Sales?

State health officials want to put restrictions on school bake sales to discourage unhealthy eating habits, but will this hurt fundraising efforts?

  Massachusetts state health officials recently recently approved regulations that would prevent bake sales from being held during school and in the 30 minutes before and after school to discourage unhealthy eating habits. Gov. Deval Patrick has backed down on the regulations after criticism from parents and organizations that say putting restrictions on bake sales would negatively impact fundraising efforts for the schools and nonprofit groups, according to USA Today. Legislation passed in 2010 will still require schools serve healthy snack options in the cafeterias and limit sugary foods. In today's poll question, we're asking: Do you think Gov. Deval Patrick should enforce the bake sale ban to help encourage Massachusetts youth to have …

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Tara Spiegelman

8:50 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Ironically the most popular "Bake Sales" in Milford are the ones the political candidates have to raise money for their campaigns.   more ›

Bake Sales Back in Business

State officials are rapidly undoing ban on school bake sales, a plan based on nutritional concerns and aimed at helping to reduce childhood obesity, but one widely lambasted by parents and educators as over-reaching.

Frugal Family

Mom's Night Out and After-Prom Party Fundraisers

Celebrate National Mom's Night Out at the Solomon Pond Mall, help raise money for safe and fun after-Prom all-nighters, and find a Hallmark Store Coupon.

1. The 4th Annual Mom's Night Out at the Solomon Pond Mall will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 10. This mall-wide event will be full of great activities and freebies that moms will love! Starting at 5, the first 75 moms who register at guest services will get a "canvas swag bag" filled with great samples, such as shampoos, makeup color samples, and chocolates. Starting at 4 p.m. near JC Penny, register to win great prizes. Each hour a gift basket will be given away, such as a basket with a variety of products from Yankee Candle. There will be fitness demonstrations, shopping discounts, and a variety of cuisine samples from restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Regina Pizzeria, and Sam's Club. Horseshoe Pub of Hudson will offer …

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Lois Black

8:27 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Dear readers, the date for the Honeydew Fundraiser is May 12, this Saturday. My apologies for the error.   more ›

Assabet Valley Announces 2nd Term Honor Roll

This is a list of the students from Marlborough who achieved honors, high honors and highest honors.

Here is a list of the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School students from Marlborough that achieved some level of honors during the school's second term of the 2011/12 school year. Share your congratulations in the comments! Highest Honors: Christopher Caissie, 11th Grade; Sky Chalmers, 9th Grade; Jennifer Fortin, 10th Grade; Ryan Keane, 9th Grade; Alicia LeBlanc, 10th Grade.  High Honors: Evan Byron, 9th Grade; Melissa Duarte, 10th Grade; Porsha Funches, 11th Grade; Rachel Hooper, 10th Grade; William Kalilainen, 12th Grade; Lauren Quinn, 9th Grade; Kaitlyn Saunders, 12th Grade. Honors: Juan Ardila, 12th Grade; Rachel Auger, 12th Grade; Ana Luiza Barroso, 11th Grade; Jarrod Beauchemin, 9th Grade; Tyler Bishop, 11th Grade; Victor …

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