School Notes

**Dave** · Admin Posts: 284 Join date: 2009-01-18 Age: 97

I am starting this thread as a go to place for information and comments on school stuff;

Just wanted to drop a note on a few School things…

Hats off to... Lucas Thompson

The Middle School held a Career day. I was very impressed at the setup and speakers. Featured were a Toymaker (Hasbro), an Attorney General Prosecutor, Police, Fire, DEA, and at least 15 other occupations.

The Middle School Bands (6th, 7th, and 8th each have a band) participated in the Great East Competition in North Andover. 6th received a Gold, 7th a Silver, and 8th a Gold for their performances.

Though limited time kept me from attending other district events that perhaps other members can comment on, I must say that the level of commitment and pride on the part of faculty, parents, and students alike has been quite impressive.

We are moving through quite a transition period between the incoming Superintendent and the almost daily budget issues. Several policies are in the process of being updated or created. One such policy that is in the process of being finalized is a Multi-Media Communications policy. The goals of this policy are to connect the public information generated from School Committee meetings, such as budget information, contracts, information used to determine a motion on, with the taxpayers through the website, cable 17, School Notes, and e-mail.

Another topic that is entering the High School is a pilot program that creates student advisors. This person aids a student by being a confidant and pointing them in the right direction for resources. This is done at no additional cost to the district and is another example at the level of commitment in our schools.

Hope to add more as time allows.

Dave

**terrybohax** · Re: School Notes on Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:21 am **terrybohax**

Thank you so much to the SC members for producing a fair and transparent agreement about the pool use by the outside aquatics team. fish

I always felt before that the taxpayers were being taken for a ride by nepots overseeing and scheduling pool time and payments.

Wendy · School Hours on Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:08 am Wendy

My sister was here last week from NY and she was shocked that our elementary school hours are only from 9 to 3 pm. Her school (my niece's school and the schools my sister teaches in as a sub) all run 9 to 3:30. Why are the Seekonk school hours shorter?

This fits in with another concern I have. The kids have only 15 minutes for lunch. Last year, the kids were also required to be silent (!) for 5 minutes at lunch time. (I don't know if that still applies; my daughter is in 5th grade and thinks it's a benefit for 5th graders that they don't have to be silent.) They also have only one recess of about 15 minutes long. That seems way too little for elementary children.

My daughter was very upset by the lunchtime policies, but I told her I wouldn't intervene but I would help her write a letter to Mr. Madden. Hey, when I was in 5th grade, my friend Amy organized a strike of the lunchroom (Amy is now a corporate lawyer, fwiw. Wink

. I guess things were different in 1976.

Has it ever been proposed to lengthen the school day?

Wendy · Another idea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:10 pm Wendy

I should just run for SC... but I never have time during the school year. Sad

Anyway, I just saw this article: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/08/12/37whitmire_ep.h28.html?tkn=YXVFlPFPqxBGIzJeksD%2FaXCIce20a8HghGlu
or
http://tinyurl.com/lex9c7 if that link gets broken up.

It's about how acceleration might be a good strategy for handling gifted children in schools that don't have gifted ed programs. I was skipped from 2nd to 3rd grade myself, and other than some initial social awkwardness, it worked out fine.

Sorry to drop out on you guys a few weeks ago, but I started my academic year and have been pretty busy. Not only that, but I have a broken ankle, and it's amazing how much harder and more tiring everything is when you get around on crutches and have to depend on other people to drive you everywhere.

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:23 am **Dave**

I am a bit behind with a lot going on in life but here are some latest tidbits from the school side of things;

The computer capabilities in the district were discussed. It is true that more than half of the computers are seven years old or older. To me anything over five years is very limited as the option to perform upgrades is not an option. That being said it is great to have the numbers and see the effort of determining where we are so that planning can be done to figure out where we are going.

A revamped facilities policy is now in affect. In addition to providing a lot more guidance on the use of the facilities and fields, language was also included that allows the recreational Committee to be our agent in managing most of the school gyms. This includes opening the long closed Pleasant and North School Gyms. There is no reason that Taxpayers should not have full use of those Gyms and this is now remedied.

A sub-committee was formed to analyze our existing financial polices. One of the first steps was overhauling language regarding money transfers. A mechanism is being placed that requires committee approval prior to the transfer of personnel monies over to operations and vice versa. Other language has been streamlined or better defined. The bidding policy now ties directly into MGL. These are critically important policies with the economic conditions that the district is experiencing and will continue to be huge priority.

Also I was very impressed with the level of volunteers and hours that went into rebuilding the concession stand at SHS. This was accomplished at a very reasonable cost because of donations.

More info to follow should time allow…

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:46 am **Dave**

Quote:

Source: Sun Chronicle

SEEKONK - School officials are bracing for a reduction in state aid as they prepare a budget for the next fiscal year. At Monday's school committee meeting, Barbara Hamel, the finance administrator for the district, said there might be a 5 percent cut in the budget due to a reduction in funding from the state. Hamel said that amounts to $900,000.

"It's a pretty deep cut," School Superintendent Madeline Meyer said. "It doesn't sound like a lot, but it is a lot."

Meyer said that it was all a guessing game right now as to how much money the schools may actually lose.

I can say that the administration is being very proactive on this. Between D'Amico's comments at town meeting and the known 2 billion dollar tax shortfall facing the state (at this point), you can count on cuts coming our way.

I think the approach of running the ship right from the get go under that assumption and not just worrying about it in the spring is the responsible and practical approach. Our percentage of expended budget by percentage compared to the same period last year is less and I encourage everyone to keep up to date on our numbers by downloading a monthly copy of the budget from the school website.

d

**mkreyssig** · Re: School Notes on Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:52 pm **mkreyssig**

I had heard it wasn't going to be pretty. Hopefully that 900k can be absorbed somehow without having to make significant cuts...

Wendy · 2010-2011 School Year Schedule on Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:23 am Wendy

Dave (or anyone): do you know when the schedule for next year is coming out? I'm really interested in what day the school year will start.

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:58 am **Dave**

I know that we approved one of two options before us about 2 months ago. It should be on the school website by I do recall that it will be after Labor Day, as that is a contractual obligation.

With a lot of resources devoted towards the recent fiber optics warrant it has been fairly quiet along the school front. We have the budget coming up and that should be an interesting process to participate in as most of that was developed prior to my joining the SC.

Wendy · Schedule on Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:58 pm Wendy

Thanks!

How is it a contractual obligation to start after Labor Day? Last year they started before Labor Day. Is it a new contract?

Starting the day after Labor Day is inconvenient for me because I start my school year that day, too. And the week before, I often have work obligations/meetings and need child care for my kids. It's difficult. That said, Seekonk should not make its schedule to please me. Smile

However, if you want to, feel free. Wink

Can you give me a quick version of what's happening with fiber optics? I approve 1000% any money devoted to improving technology infrastructure, but I do know sometimes the devil is in the details.

seek2mend · Re: School Notes on Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:40 pm seek2mend

Wendy wrote:

Can you give me a quick version of what's happening with fiber optics? I approve 1000% any money devoted to improving technology infrastructure, but I do know sometimes the devil is in the details.

I can't offer any information about technology. But today's Sun Chronicle published a letter from the Capital Improvement Committee regarding the warrant article's approval.

That committee held such promise. It's too bad this town is so dysfunctional we can't see the value of properly funding for the future.

**tombenoit** · Re: School Notes on Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:47 pm **tombenoit**

Dave;

I saw the debate over this warrant article and read the letter in the Seekonk Star. I also have some grave concerns over the method that appeared to be used to ram this thru. The new supt. continues to claim ignorance over the process. That argument is wearing thin.

The problem with bringing thing forward in a piece meal matter is that, individually, everything seems like a good idea - but - there is no opportunity to weigh the value across all needs. The other issue I have is that apparently, this is set up to be funded by reusing debt service that has been paid off. I would love to know what debt service was paid off to free up funds. Do you know?

Additionally; debt service is factored - before - the 65/35 split. That means that 35% of the cost of this will be coming from the town budget pool and the total cost is now insulated from the operating budget decisions.

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:15 pm **Dave**

Fiber snapshot:

The fiber optics will replace the school's current intranet AKA the
I-Net. It was 30 years old and housed in a shed next to a water tower on top of a hill. It broke down alot and was a top priority for the new Super.

At a rapid (non-Seekonk) pace, the Super priced out and developed a fiber optic system to replace the I-Net. Resistance began in the form of ever changing viewpoints and communications from the Town Manager and BOS...a whole other topic that I will deal with when I have the time but I have seen the machine and it is not pretty. For example the BOS kept changing positions on whether or not to include the town on the warrant and one Selectman went so far as to direct that the fiber be looped and left hanging from a telephone pole next to the library, rather than include it.

During this process neither the TA or BOS involved the Capital Committee or directed the Super to seek their approval. I do think that the Capital Committee should have been brought into the process and clearly a better job should have been done with doing that. This along with the fact that it would replace anything to do with cable, drew fire from the Harts.

Against this resistance a proper warrant was brought to and explained at town meeting. The taxpayers decided to approve the motion. In no way was the meeting stacked and it was after midnight when the article was debated. The taxpayer has the power in this town, over any board or committee. Some members of these boards or committees feel that they have final say.

They do not.

How dare someone question the will of the taxpayer through a letter. This is not the 1st letter speaking against the taxpayer that I have seen in the last two meetings. Another one was authored by someone who is running for BOS.

Any citizen can bring a petition to town meeting where it will be judged by the taxpayer on its merits. Sorry if I have a twinge of frustration in my writing but I have witnessed a lot of deceit in the past few months and I am far from inspired on what we have for candidates for the BOS. Until fresh faces step up and put their time into bettering this town then disfunction is a best case scenario.

seek2mend · Re: School Notes on Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:30 am seek2mend

Dave:

I feel the same way about this public debate as I did with the one from the nurses. Letters to the editor are bad form.

But I do have a question or two. You imply that the warrant article was a citizen petition. I believe the warrant indicated it was from the school committee. Which was it? And did everyone on the board approve of the article?

Also, since Mitch put a great deal of time into the capital planning committee and served for a time at its inception, did he ever suggest that the CPC would be the go to group regarding such an infrastructure expense?

BTW, I am beginning to think the BOS may have to consider moving in a different direction regarding the TA. IMO, he has not lived up to his promise of facilitating communication between the boards.

I had great hope for the CPC. But since all the boards can't get on the same page and work for the betterment of the town as a whole by encouraging town meeting to fund the MCSF, may as well close up shop.

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:31 am **Dave**

After a good nights sleep...

To answer more directly Tom's questions;

I believe that state bonds are going to fund the cost. I know that it is over a 5 year period. I am far from an expert on debt service. I do recall that there was a discussion (I think I was at a BOS meeting) on the amount of obligations out there and there were several smaller debts outstanding with talk of trying to combine them into a single debt at a new rate. I know there is a sheet that breaks this down somewhere and if I can find it I will post it here.

In reference to piecemeal, everyone should be made aware that from the start the plan and the bid where for one of three options;

1-Schools Only
2-Schools and Library
3- The Town

This was where the fun began. Getting the town to select one of those options and stick with it changed daily. For those of you who feel this process was rushed I want you to be aware of two things;

This process actually began three years ago before stalling out in the discussion phase (does this sound familiar to anyone- senior center, Rt. 152, ect.).

The town found the I-Net unreliable years ago, so they built their own intranet (non fiber) without going to anyone for approval...they used operating cash (moving it from here to there) to make it happen- anyone can feel free to correct me if this is inaccurate. The cost for this was a lot less because the buildings are closer together.

People had mixed feelings on this warrant. I myself wanted to do this for the May town meeting, probably because I am used to it taking a lot of time to get things done in this town, but also because I was not convinced that it had to be replaced right now.

After attending several meetings on this and seeing how many times the network actually shut down (interesting fact- the high school portion of the network was inoperative the morning of town meeting) I asked myself this question...what would change between this meeting and the one in May? The price was already out on bid, the network itself was not going to repair itself or begin behaving, and I am sad to say this but it is the truth- people that just wanted to kill it because it was going to the schools or had to do with cable would just have more time to try and derail it.

I am fairly new to Seekonk. I understand that there is some bad history out there between the town and schools. We all have to get over the history thing. I do hope bringing new blood into elected positions will accomplish that. Demand that the government be transparent and hold people accountable when they try to manipulate groups against each other.

Time for coffee...

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:42 am **Dave**

Seek posted this while I was writing-

Quote:

"But I do have a question or two. You imply that the warrant article was a citizen petition. I believe the warrant indicated it was from the school committee. Which was it? And did everyone on the board approve of the article?"

The warrant is another fun tale. The wording of the warrant changed several times. The super and TA worked on the original language. The TA then re-wrote what they agreed on. This caused it to be revised several times. Then it went back and forth on who would be on the warrant, the original had both the BOS and SC on it. The BOS signs all warrants and voted (I was at that meeting) to place the warrant on for town meeting.

For some strange reason Rolling Eyes

the BOS were removed from the warrant that they signed, leaving only the SC on it. Almost as strange as it being placed dead last for the evening on a long night. Now even though the Library was clamoring to be included in the fiber project, there sure seemed to be a concerted effort (just leave the fiber looped on the pole outside of the Library) to make this a schools only project and I can tell you that it was not the schools doing it.

My reference to petition was only to point out that any taxpayer can petition town meeting for a cause.

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