Former Superintendent Anthony Pope a Finalist in Wareham Search

The former Marlborough superintendent is in the running for the same position in Wareham.

Former Marlborough Supterintendent Anthony Pope is in the running for another superintendent position in Massachusetts. Pope is one of three finalists in the Wareham School District's search for a superintendent. The other two finalists are Kimberly Shaver-Hood, who serves as the superintendent of the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District in Blackstone and Elise Frangos, who currently is the assistant superintendent of curriculum for the Old Rochester Regional School District, in Mattapoisett. Former Superintendent Anthony Pope resigned in July. His resignation followed months of controversy and cost the district $99,000. Pope's decision to first suspend and later fire Marlborough High School Assistant Principal Adam Bakr angered …

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$250,000 Cut From School Budget

The Finance Committee voted 3 to 2 to cut $250,000 of the $55.3 million school district budget.

Citing an 8.7 percent increase over the previous year's budget, the Finance Committee voted to cut $250,000 from the school district's budget in the coming year. “We have to be fair to all the residents of Marlborough," said City Council President Patricia Pope who said schools are extremely important to the community. "We can’t continue to grow at this rate ... Mayor Vigeant, when you sat on our side of the table, your head would have blown up with that number.” The committee discussed a $500,000 cut to the school budget as was proposed by City Councilor Richard Jenkins. He amended that figure to $250,000 in cuts which was voted through by committee members Michael Ossing, Robert Seymour and Jenkins. Committee members Mark Oram and Joseph…

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Meet Marlborough's New Special Ed. Director

Heather Lange Geary brings classroom and administrative experience with her to Marlborough.

Classroom experience was chief among the attributes that spurred school officials to bring Heather Lange Geary on as their new Special Education Director. "I think that's terrific in terms of credibility with our faculty and administrators here that you have walked a mile in their shoes so to speak," said School Committee Member Margaret Dwyer. "You have tremendous credentials." Geary went through two screening committees, both of which picked Geary unanymously. She currently works in Saugus, where Langlois the city's next superintendent is from. "Her academic background is superb," said Interim Superintendent Dr. Steven Dlott. With the district bringing data analysis to bear throughout the entire district, it is important to have someone …

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You Ask, Patch Answers

When is the Last Day of School?

With six "snow" days, when is the last day of school in Marlborough?

The School Committee has spoken and the last day of school will be Monday, June 24. “Hopefully we are finished for snow,” said Interim Superintendent Steven Dlott. It was snow that was on the mind of School Committee Member Mark Hediger who asked whether it wouldn't make more sense to hold off on a final day of school until the area was definitely clear of more snow. Other committee members pointed out that people like to be able to plan their vacations while Dlott pointed out that storms can come along at unexpected times. Two of the six "snow" days the district has clocked this year were not caused by snow, but by Hurricane Sandy. How do you feel? Are you happy with the final day of school falling on a Monday? Would you prefer the …

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$55.3 Million School Budget an "Investment in Our Future"

The School Committee approved a 3.46 percent increase for next year's school budget.

The School Committee unanymously approved a $1.9 million increase for next year's school budget that will fund 14 new positions. “This is part of the direction in our future and an investment in our future,” said School Committee Member Katherine Hennessy of the addition of engineering and Mandarin Chinese positions in the district. The two positions were among 14 that would be added to next year's school budget if the proposal makes it through the City Council where the budget will next be discussed. “It will make them very competitive in the global economy," said School Committee Member Margaret Dwyer of Mandarin which employers in the area have told the committee will be increasingly important moving forward. Cuts in the school budget …

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Mayor Doesn't Want More ELL Staff

Mayor Vigeant states "... If we have it they will come."

With school officials aiming to add five English Language Learner positions across the district in the coming school year, Mayor Arthur Vigeant spoke against the expansion saying it would continue to grow as people move into the district for the services. “I can't continue to attract people to the program, because if we have it they will come,” said the mayor, who chairs the School Committee, during a budget meeting Tuesday night. "I can’t continue to absorb what we are absorbing now." The mayor said the students that are in the district now need to be served, but that by expanding the services it will continue to draw people into the district, requiring the additional expansion of the program in coming years. “You are going to give me the…

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Had It

9:43 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Every students that leaves takes the per-pupil expenditure with them. Districts prefer to keep the money in the district than pay it to another district.   more ›

Staff Increases in $55 million School Budget

The budget that will form the basis of the School District's budget for FY 2014 features staff increases along with a budget increase.

The addition of 14.4 staff positions and a 4.4 percent increase in the total budget was proposed by School District officials Tuesday. “The most important people in our system are the ones who deal with direct services,” said Interim Superintendent Stephen Dlott of a proposed FY 2014 $55,769,250. “We are trying to address the needs of all children.” The budget represents an increase of $2,334,751 over the FY 2013 adjusted budget. This budget is a jumping off point for the discussion of a final budget that will be voted on in March, said Dlott. “This is really a draft of a budget. It is how they do the state budget," he said. “This is not a complete budget. It is a first run through of the budget.” The focus on staffing in the budget is …

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Marlborough AP Teachers Recognized

Two Marlborough AP teachers are among 15 to be recognized by a Massachusetts educational organization.

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by the Marlborough Public School District. Congratulations to Marlborough High School English teacher Jose Reyes and science/technology and engineering teacher Kathleen Richov, two of just 15 advanced placement (AP) teachers throughout the state to be named “Teachers in Excellence” by Mass Insight Education and Partners in Excellence. Teachers in Excellence are recognized for their exemplary contribution to student success through their involvement in and support of the Mass Math + Science Initiative’s (MMSI) work to increase high school AP course participation. Reyes and Richov will be guests at the Partners in Excellence Award Celebration on March 7 at Boston’s Museum of Science and …

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Marlborough Schools Closed Friday

Marlborough Schools will be closed Friday.

The Marlborough School District has made the call to close school tomorrow, according to the city's official facebook page. Keep your eyes here as we update with any additional information that comes out about the decision to close the schools. You can also keep yourself up to date about the storm at our Blizzard 2013: Marlborough Information Center.

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