School Committee elects officers
In its first post-election meeting on April 11, the School Committee reelected Keith Cheveralls as chairman for the upcoming year, with Kirsten Wright as vice-chair and SusanMary Redinger as secretary. Cheveralls thanked the committee for their support and noted that he intended to make this year—which will be his third as chairman—his last in that position. Cheveralls also thanked other town boards, town officials, the school administrative staff, and voters for the development and approval of the school budget and capital requests.
New leadership posts created at HES
School Superintendent Thomas Jefferson summarized the new leadership positions at the Hildreth Elementary School (HES) for the upcoming school year 2011-2012. Gretchen Henry will be both interim associate principal and math curriculum team leader. Judy Moore and Kathy Kittredge will serve as co-team leaders for the science curriculum. Amy Bassage will be team leader for social studies. Peggy Bragg will be director of literacy, K-8, including both HES and the middle school, with Reenie Keith as literacy coach.
Jefferson noted that the new administrative model is “revenue neutral.” Bassage’s position required and received School Committee approval, as it is technically a new one; but it is funded through a grant. All the appointments are for one year, Jefferson explained, to allow incoming HES principal Linda Dwight to have a voice in any longer-term decisions.
Bill for roof snow removal comes in at more than $98K
Town Finance Director Lorraine Leonard told the School Committee that the bill for removing last winter’s heavy snow load from the school roofs totaled a whopping $98,424. The amount will be covered under the $300,000 approved at the Annual Town Meeting as a supplement to the fiscal year 2011 budget. Committee member Piali De asked if there was any chance that the town might be reimbursed from state or federal emergency funds. Leonard explained that Worcester County is not currently included in the area eligible for emergency funds, but there is still a possibility that it could be added.
School Committee approves Nature’s Classroom plan for October
Next fall, Harvard fifth-graders will again attend Nature’s Classroom, a five-day environmental education field trip to Ivoryton, Conn. The School Committee gave its unanimous approval to the expedition, which is set for the week of Oct. 3. (Any trip involving an overnight stay requires a School Committee vote.) In a handout on the program, faculty advisor Terry Monette noted that Harvard students have been taking part in nature programs like this one for the past 19 years. Teacher Barbara Kelley described the fall trip as a bonding experience that strengthens the fifth-grade class, as well as an educational opportunity with benefits that continue throughout the school year.
