Devens survey shows satisfaction with Harvard schools
Devens Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) representative Maureen Babcock reported on a survey sponsored by the DEAC to test Devens residents’ level of satisfaction of with the Harvard Schools. She said 113 surveys were sent out and that 44 people responded.
“Ninety percent of respondents said we should continue the contract, and 100 percent of parents with children in the elementary school (four) thought we should continue the contract,” Babcock said. In addition, she added, “95 percent of parents of Bromfield school attendees said we should continue the contract.”
Harvard Schools Superintendent Thomas Jefferson said that the Devens contract is coming up for renewal and that it is “good practice to sign it rather than let it just drift along.”
School Committee advises move of Town Meeting back to March
The School Committee consensus was that this year’s May 1 Town Meeting was too late, with Jefferson saying, “They were in the dark at the end of March in much the same way they were in the dark in May” with respect to budget numbers. Jefferson said that the earlier budget numbers are set, “the earlier we can look for teachers on the ‘A list,’” meaning that it was advantageous for the schools from a personnel perspective to have the ATM in March. He also commented that parents find it easier to attend the ATM in March.
Finance Director Lorraine Leonard, who was in attendance, commented that “We had more money in May,” referring to the fact that estimates for a balanced budget in March were lower than estimates for a balanced budget in May, when more accurate numbers on state aid were available.
School Committee accepts grants from the HST
The School Committee accepted grants from the Harvard Schools Trust in the amounts of $1,250 for the Fire Department SAFE program, $1,570 for Academic Bowl, $5,000 for the Weather Bug program, $381.99 for Digital Storytelling, and $750 for a Drama Club honorarium.
HEAC recommends solar panel installer
Three bids were received for placement of solar panels at the Bromfield School. Bill Blackwell of Harvard Energy Advisory Committee (HEAC) reported HEAC’s recommendation that Ostrow Electric of Worcester be awarded the contract for $39,420 to install a solar array sited on the Bromfield butterfly roof.
Leonard supported the award contingent on a $5,000 rebate, pointing out that “we only have $35,000 to spend” on the project.
Music director to take sabbatical
Bromfield Music Director Tom Reynolds requested a sabbatical for one year, with the cost of a substitute for his responsibilities to be deducted directly from his salary over the next year. This arrangement affords Reynolds the opportunity to attain a doctoral degree at no cost to the town and return to teaching at Bromfield the following year with doctoral-level credentials. Jefferson enthusiastically endorsed Reynolds’ proposal, and the committee voted unanimously to approve the request.
Committee plans to assess goals progress
The School Committee agreed to a high-level discussion to examine progress against the goals drafted at their July 6, 2009, meeting. School Committee member Piali De commented that “we never got to the new stuff.”
Jefferson commented, “The important thing is core functions: only you can communicate and develop a budget, only you can negotiate a contract, and only you can develop policy and that’s the lion’s share of the work of the School Committee; beyond that is supporting the strategic plan.” He added that critical questions are, “How does your student achievement data inform your budget, your policy development, and how does it inform your professional development?”
