Buildings and teachers are ready
Superintendent Tom Jefferson thanked the custodial and maintenance staff and the office staffs for their hard work in readying the buildings and the Department of Public Works for its road work at the crossing area in front of the elementary school. He said things are off to a smooth start and that the teachers are full of energy.
Speaking of energy…
Board member Patty Wenger reported that the Energy Advisory Committee is working with Finance Director Lorraine Leonard to look into expanding town gas lines, and working with National Grid to do a whole building energy assessment at Bromfield. The town group is gathering data for an energy baseline, using expenses for the past two years. Current energy-saving measures include computer shut-down at night and the new dual-fuel boiler at Bromfield
Board to seek help from state
Keith Cheveralls reported that he had attended a seminar put on by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, which is willing to send a speaker to help town boards figure out exactly what they are allowed to do with respect to publicizing warrant articles and ballot questions. Chairman Stu Sklar later referred to the reprimand from that office in connection to his Connect Ed use for a town election. In the future, the School Committee will send a draft of any announcement to the office for approval.
Tribute to Fernandez
Superintendent Jefferson paid tribute to guidance counselor Gary Fernandez and called his recent death a real loss to Bromfield. He called attention to the thoughtfulness with which students had painted the rock in front of the school in memoriam. Kathleen Doherty, president of the Harvard Teachers Association, also paid tribute to Fernandez and acknowledged the sadness his death brings.
Considerations for educating Devens students
Jefferson described the income to Harvard from the contract with MassDevelopment to educate Devens elementary students, starting in 2009. He said that, in addition to a $75,000 annual stipend for supplemental educational support, Harvard will receive $20,000 annually ($40,000 in the first year) for capital expenditures, and $12,000 for each pupil annually. As part of the contract, Harvard may lease the Shirley School at Devens, an early childhood education building, for one dollar a year. A task force was appointed to explore a use for that building; any proposal must be approved at Town Meeting. The School Committee is looking for a community representative to join the committee.
Comments on Corrective Action Plan
Jefferson commented on the Corrective Action Plan which was submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education following the coordinated program review of last January. Jefferson said, “We weren’t cited for anything that was significant.” He said there were a few procedural things that he plans to address right away.
HTA looks ahead to contracts and new school year
Doherty told the board that the start of school brings “happiness, hope and optimism.”
“It is a time focused on new beginnings and looking ahead,” she said. “I am hopeful—as I am every year—that this will be a wonderful year.”
Doherty went on to talk about the contract negotiations that HTA and the School Committee will begin this fall. Even though the current contract does not expire until August of ’09, Doherty said she hopes to have negotiations concluded “long before then, hopefully in time for the town budget planning process.” She added, “I pledge to work my very hardest to see that a fair contract is reached as quickly and smoothly and amicably as possible.”
The HTA president emphasized that the association’s purpose is not solely to negotiate contracts. As an organization of highly trained and dedicated professionals, the HTA wants “to work in partnership with the administration to be a positive voice for education in this district.”
Ideas presented for support of schools
Leo Blair, speaking, he said, as resident and not as selectman, said there are two things he wants to get on the School Committee’s “radar screen.” The first is to have the committee endorse the establishment of an endowment fund for the Harvard schools. He said he, personally, is interested in participating and believes it would become the charity of choice for others in town and that corporations could become involved. Blair envisions a fund of $5 million over the next few years, the interest from which would pay for capital expenses of the schools.
The second idea Blair proposed was to use the old town library as an after-school study center for kids in fourth or fifth grade and higher. Blair said he thinks this would bring vitality to the center and offer kids an alternative to the new library. As a study center, the old library could have areas for videos and socializing as well as quiet places. Because of septic constraints, the building can be used for nothing other than a library. Rather than have it sit vacant, Blair suggested using it for what it is grandfathered for, at least until a long-term solution is found for town sewer needs.
Chairman Stu Sklar said he would put both of these items on the agenda for the next meeting.
The School Committee will meet on Sept. 2 at 8:45 a.m. at Bromfield House to set goals for the next year.
