Connelly expects kindergarten class of more than 50 by fall
Interim Superintendent Joe Connelly announced that after the first wave of kindergarten enrollment, the number stands at 40, with 28 full-day students. He expects that the enrollment will be in the upper 50s by September. For the pre-school, the number is currenty 13 students.
New POS system for school lunches is operational
Connelly reported that the new point of sale and register system for the school lunch program went into operation at both school cafeterias this week. Parents received information on how to set up a pre-pay account for their children. The board was assured by Finance Director Lorraine Leonard that there is a system for “warning” parents if the account is running out of money.
Service-learning trip to Philadelphia approved
The School Committee approved a proposal by Bromfield science teacher and advisor to Bromfield Cares Patricia Nilan for a five-day service-learning trip to Philadelphia that includes the Memorial Day weekend. She and six Bromfield students will stay at a hostel and work in soup kitchens, men’s and women’s shelters, and literacy programs. Nilan said that opportunities for service learning—as distinct from community service—are one element of the advisory program and 21st century learning skills being put in place at Bromfield in response to one of the recent NEASC recommendations.
HES will open eight choice slots for 2013-2014 school year
The committee continued its discussion of school choice from a previous meeting. Before deliberating further, members agreed that next year the decision about choice needs to be made before the budget is determined, so that policy, not money, drives the decision. For this year, the committee voted unanimously to open four kindergarten, two first-grade, and two third-grade slots to choice students.
Search for search consultant continues
Committee member Kirsten Wright reported that she has sent questions to five search firms in regard to hiring of a professional company to lead the superintendent search next year. Despite an April 12 deadline, she has heard back from only two.
Committee rates Connelly “exemplary” or “proficient” in all categories
Chairwoman SusanMary Redinger discussed the newly completed Superintendent’s evaluation and said that Connelly had received “exemplary” or “proficient” in every category of the evaluation. She told him that she hoped it was obvious how pleased the committee is with the job he is doing. For his part, Connelly thanked the committee for taking the evaluation so seriously and for setting such a great example of one of the most important jobs of an educator. He said that he feels the committee accomplished a great deal this year, even with so much going on, like negotiation of new teacher evaluation, the search for a superintendent and for an interim and then permanent pupil services director. The board’s acceptance of the evaluation was unanimous.
