Thursday, June 6, 2013
One government official said they would not run for re-election in November.
The city's School Committee will be down a member unless someone steps up to fill the shoes of member Jennifer Hardy who announced she did not intend to run for re-election in November. "I have to pursue the next steps in my licensure and I cannot create more hours in the day," she said explaining that she enjoyed her time on the committee and hopes to return some day. She encouraged anyone interested in the position to pull papers and run for the role. She said that she would welcome meeting with people who are interested in the position to discuss it with them. “I would love to have coffee or conversation with anyone interested," said Hardy. The other two committee members whose positions are up in the coming elections, Michelle Bodin-…
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The School District has wrapped up negotiations with a large group of employees in the district.
The School Committee Negotiations Subcommittee has wrapped up negotiations with paraprofessionals within the district. The school district will now wait for the paraprofessionals union to ratify the agreement with the district. This leaves only three groups still working with the district negotiations team: School Committee Member Heidi Matthews, who chairs the negotiations subcommittee, said all the contracts should be negotiated by the end of the current fiscal year.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Increasingly frugal budget options were given to the School Committee with warnings of possible repercussions from school officials.
Three phases of increasingly frugal school budget proposals were presented at the School Committee Meeting Tuesday. “We are not talking any pink slips,” said Mayor Arthur Vigeant as he addressed the committee regarding the most frugal of the budgets presented. “We are saying 2.7 percent ... that is keeping everyone in the system employed.” Three budget options, representing a 2.74, 3.5 or 3.8 percent increase over current school budget of $50,852,532 were discussed Tuesday. They all represent cuts from the 4.4 percent increase in the $55 million school budget presented by Interim Superintendent Steven Dlott. “This committee and I and the City Council supported a 7.1 percent increase last year,” said Mayor Vigeant in reference to a $2.6 …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The search will begin immediately for a new special education director following the resignation of Special Education Director Tina Betley.
The search will begin immediately for a new Special Education Director following the resignation of much-loved Tina Betley. “If I had the option to not accept it that is what I would do," said School Committee Member Jennifer Hardy as she motioned to accept the resignation while praising Betley's work. “This is a very critical need in any district.” Betley's resignation goes into effect on July 1, but the search committee has already been formed, said Interim Superintendent Stephen Dlott. The search will take place through multiple avenues, he said. “It is very, very important to get the right person. We have many programs that are run through special education," said Dlott. “They have big shoes to fill." She has served many years in the …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The City Council voted this week to approve an additional $2.6 million to the school district.
The school district will receive an additional $2.6 million to cover essential services following a City Council vote Monday. The council passed the additional funds with little discussion, unlike during a Finance Committee meeting in which City Council President Patricia Pope called the supplemental funds "unnaceptable." In that meeting, Pope called the School Committee’s budget an abomination and embarrassment before the committee voted to recommend the funds to fill out the school budget. The additional $2,581,967 represents a 5.3 percent increase over the FY '13 appropriated school budget of $50,852,532. The funds cover five major areas that include additional curriculum costs and special education expenditures. City Councilor, and …
Pay increases are set to be retroactive and cover the entire fiscal year under the contract that was voted through last night.
The School Committee voted Tuesday to approve a three year teacher contract that includes 2 percent increases each year. "We're really appreciative of the consideration of the position we were in," said Katherine Hennessy in reference to a delay in the vote until the City Council approved $2.6 million in additional school funds. Without that holdup, the contact could have been approved much earlier. The teachers approved the contract on Nov. 8 with 94 percent of those voting favoring the contract, according to a release from the Superintendent's office. Receive breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here The contract includes: The contract was voted through by every committee member except Mark Hediger. …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Superintendent focus groups have revealed community concerns with contention between the City Council and School Committee, a poor image of the district and not knowing who to trust.
In looking for a new superintendent, the company Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), conducted focus groups that revealed concerns that are often not discussed in a public forum. "Lack of trust across and among many individuals and groups in the school district is a large challenge," according to a report from HYA. Interviews with 111 people including community members, staff, students, school board members and employees were conducted in November. A total of 397 online surveys were also conducted. The interviews and focus groups were done to guide the selection of a new superintendent. Receive breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here Challenges were found to include the diversity of the …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
From the teacher contracts negotiations to area jobs; we have what you need to know today.
1. It's a busy day tonight with the Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals and School Committee all meeting. 2. The School Committee is set to discuss the Marlborough Education Association contract. 3. Looking for a job? We have a listing of area jobs available right here. 4. With Hanukkah in full swing, we have a list of tasty recipes to help you get into the spirit of the holiday. 5. Grafton has lept ahead in submissions for the "Deck the House" contest. You don't have to have a Chevy Chase house to win, so lets see those great homes.
Friday, November 30, 2012
City Council President Patricia Pope told the School Committee in no uncertain terms that returning for additional funds was unacceptable and must never happen again at a Finance Committee meeting Thursday.
City Council President Patricia Pope called the School Committee’s budget an abomination and embarrassment before the Finance Committee voted to recommend an additional $2.6 million to fill out the school budget. "This is absolutely unacceptable ... the budget is due to the city council the same time it’s always due,” said Pope explaining that the “hiccup” was no excuse as she referred to the ousting of Former Superintendent Anthony Pope. “The budget process this year was nothing short of an abomination and embarrassment.” The additional $2,581,967 represents a 5.3 percent increase over the FY '13 appropriated school budget of $50,852,532. The funds cover five major areas that include additional curriculum costs and special education …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The School Committee is requesting money to fund core services.
The School Committee is asking for $2,581,967 in additional funds through a supplemental appropriation. The additional funds — that represents a 5.3 percent increase over the FY '13 appropriated budget of $50,852,532 — will be voted on by the City Council at their Monday meeting, said Mayor Arthur Vigeant. The appropriation was the result of a truncated discussion of the FY '13 budget that was being resolved under the leadership of Former Superintendent Anthony Pope, said officials. The appropriations were grouped under five major categories that were presented to the committee by Interim Superintendent Steven Dlott. Exactly where all the funds would come from was not finalized during the committee's discussion. The city did see higher …
Denise Grant Ryan
6:56 am on Thursday, June 6, 2013
Denise Ryan has pulled papers for the school committee position. more ›