WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Committee discusses additional budget expenses

At the Oct. 26 meeting of the Ware School Committee, Andy Paquette of the Management Solution advised the committee about two items that will need to be incorporated into the district’s budget.
The first is a potential increase in special education tuition. Paquette said the amount of the increase has yet to be determined by the state, but he is anticipating an amount between $102,000 and $150,000.
The second is a $20,000 tuition charge for four youths who live in Ware but are School Choice students of the Virtual Academy at Greenfield, an online school operated by the Greenfield School District.
Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach noted that three of the four virtual high school students have never attended a Ware Public School and she regretted that the district didn’t have the opportunity to show those students what it could offer them.
Beach added that Ware is still in the process of pursuing its own virtual school options, including possible collaborations with other school districts.
Committee member Aaron Sawabi asked if there were any plans on how to fund these increases. Paquette said the $20,000 will likely come out of the district’s Chapter 70 money. He suggested that the district continue to be “judicious” with its spending and said the district will have to wait to see if the state will offer any circuit breaker financial relief to help address a potential deficit.

Committee approves two articles for November STM warrant

Paquette submitted two proposed warrant articles for the upcoming Special Town Meeting scheduled for Nov. 29.
The first one asks the town to reimburse the district the $34,600 the town received in insurance money for damage that occurred to the Ware Middle School roof and gutters last winter. That amount represents the amount the town has been reimbursed by the insurance company, minus the deductible.
The second article asks the town to raise and appropriate or transfer $63,216 to pay for two additional vans needed for in-district special education transportation. Paquette said the need for more vans is due to additional students requiring special education transportation. The committee unanimously approved presenting the articles to the town for inclusion on the warrant.

District looking into web-controlled energy system

Paquette said the district is in talks with a company regarding the possibility of having a web-controlled energy system installed that would save the district money in energy costs. “We’re in a process to use Ware as a test case,” he said. Paquette said the company would first need to do an assessment to see where on campus the controls could be installed and how much the district might save.
Beach said the district is looking into a lot of its current expenses. One aspect they are reviewing is whether or not it is cost-effective to open the school on weekends at all when energy and heating costs are factored in. Beach also noted that it costs $200 to light the football field for night games. Committee Chair Christopher Desjardins said that the revenue from the admission fees to the games might help cover the district’s operating costs. He suggested determining whether more spectators come to afternoon games or evening games and then adjusting the schedule accordingly. “It might be more beneficial to have the games at night,” Desjardins said.

WJSHS to pursue future JROTC program

Beach said the district is considering offering a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program at Ware Junior Senior High School next year or the year after. While there are different branches of JROTC programs available, Beach said the district is leaning towards offering an Army program due to the proximity of the National Guard base on West Street.

Payment must accompany use of facility form

Beach announced that the district will no longer accept use of facility forms unless the form is accompanied by the use of facility fee. Beach said there have been too many instances where the forms were turned in without payment, meaning staff has to spend time tracking the fee down.

WARE TOWN HALL NOTEBOOK

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Special Town Meeting set for Tuesday, Nov. 29

At the recommendation of acting Town Manager Tracy Meehan, the Special Town Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Ware Junior Senior High School auditorium. The board opened up the warrant for the STM at their Oct. 18 meeting and will be accepting articles from the public until the warrant is closed at noon on Monday, Oct. 31. Talbot reminded citizens that petition articles need to have 100 signatures in order to be included on the warrant.
The selectmen will hold a joint meeting with the Town Moderator, Finance Committee and the department heads on Nov. 15 to review the warrant and prepare their recommendations.

Public hearing on CDBG fy2012 application set for Nov. 22

Director of Planning and Community Development Karen Cullen asked the board to set a public hearing regarding the town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fy2012 application. The hearing will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:10 p.m. Cullen said the changes in the way the CDBG will be awarded will affect the way the town structures its applications. Given those changes, Cullen said the top priorities for the fy2012 application will be continuing the housing rehabilitation program and continuing to support the social services that have received funding in the past.

Holiday Flair in Ware to be held Friday, Nov. 25

Members of the Holiday Flair in Ware Committee appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss their plans for the event which will be held Friday, Nov. 25.
Committee member Peter Harder asked the board to approve the use of the town’s bucket truck to put up the decorations on Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20. Harder said he had already received the o.k. from DPW Director Thom Martens to use the truck. Harder also asked for permission to hold a toll road to raise money to pay for the decorations from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on both of those days. The selectmen unanimously approved the requests.
Harder also asked the board to approve shutting down Main Street during the Holiday Flair in Ware event as in previous years. Harder said he hadn’t had the chance to speak to Police Chief Dennis M. Healey about it but that he would. The board unanimously approved the request, pending Healey’s o.k., as well as the use of the Great Hall at Town Hall for the event.
Board of Selectmen Chair Nancy J. Talbot thanked the committee for all their hard work to make the town look nice for the holidays. “I know it takes a lot of effort to bring this together,” she said. “It is very much appreciated.” Harder said the committee was grateful for the help the townspeople have given them over the years.

Town will apply for FEMA grant funding for Hazard Mitigation Plan update

Cullen asked the board to approve Ware’s participation in a grant application for funding to cover the costs of updating the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. She explained that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering grants for towns to update their plans. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is working on a grant application for funds for the towns of Ware, Agawam, Easthampton and Hampden to update their plans. Cullen said the town’s plan was approved in 2009 and is set to expire in 2014. “It is early, but this is an opportunity where we can extend our plan with a very small expenditure of town resources,” Cullen said. If the town receives the grant, it will be required to match $800, but Cullen said that can match can be done through in-kind services. The Board unanimously approved the town’s participation in the grant.

Vacancy on Council on Aging

The board accepted the resignation of Judy Aversa from the Council on Aging with regret. Aversa’s resignation leaves a vacancy on the council. There is also a need for someone to serve as an alternate member. Anyone interested in serving in these roles should send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen at Town Hall. The deadline for letters of interest is noon on December 4.

Student addresses officials on definition of inappropriate display of affection

Student addresses officials on definition
of inappropriate display of affection

200 students sign petition asking for clarification

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

WARE – Sophomore student Karoline Delisle and her parents, David and Janine Bertrand, met with Ware Junior Senior High Principal Marlene DiLeo and the Policy Subcommittee of the Ware School Committee Oct. 12. Delisle was invited to the subcommittee’s meeting after she presented a petition to the School Committee signed by 200 students asking for clarification on the district’s policy regarding “inappropriate displays of affection.”
Delisle said she and her boyfriend had been reprimanded at school several times for holding hands and hugging, but couldn’t find any definitions of “inappropriate displays of affection” in the handbook. “It should be in there,” said Delisle. “You’re expecting us to follow something that’s not in there.”
DiLeo said when the topic had been discussed at a faculty meeting, staff said they found it difficult to determine what sorts of student displays of affection were appropriate and which weren’t. “It’s very hard to draw that line,” DiLeo said. She said that no students have received detentions or been suspended for inappropriate displays of affection, but they have been asked to abstain from that type of behavior. She suggested that instead of trying to pinpoint what types of affectionate touching such as hand holding and hugging are allowed, it might be easier to not allow any. “Then there aren’t any issues,” she said. “In elementary school and middle school, students are taught to keep your hands to yourself.”
DiLeo said her job was to prepare students for their future. “I’m trying to teach students about being successful in the workplace or in institutions of higher education,” she said. “It comes down to what goes on in the real world. Can you be successful with that type of behavior in the workplace?”
According to DiLeo, several parents have come forward to say their children are relieved that the school is trying to curtail this type of behavior because it makes them uncomfortable. “There’s a silent voice here that doesn’t get heard,” DiLeo said. “Some kids are afraid to say they don’t like it because it’s not cool to speak out against it.” DiLeo said one parent told her that their daughter admitted that she signed Delisle’s petition because her friend asked her to. DiLeo also said she recently learned that last year, some students put up signs on their lockers saying they were against inappropriate display of affection. She said that the school’s small hallways make it difficult for students to pass when students are holding hands and some students have trouble getting to their lockers when others are hugging in between classes.
Another concern for DiLeo is that those students who don’t have somebody to hold hands with might feel excluded. She also mentioned the complex issues that could arise when a young couple breaks up and one of them starts dating another and is then seen holding hands and hugging that person.
DiLeo also said she was concerned about the wide range of age groups of students in the school and the ramifications of that. “We have some students that are 19 and some freshmen that are 14,”she said, adding that she wondered whether allowing this type of affectionate behavior would put the school in an awkward situation should something inappropriate happen between those students outside of school. DiLeo also stated that whether or not teens are allowed to be affectionate with each other should be a parental decision. “To me, that’s a family thing,” she said. “As a parent, I want to be able to have that control.”
David Bertrand said he thought whatever the school’s policy was on the issue that it should be clearly spelled out in the handbook, adding that even adults often need to refer to their workplace handbooks for guidance on their behavior.
Subcommittee member Aaron Sawabi said he had done some research to see how other schools handle the issue of PDA (public display of affection) and found a mix of approaches. “Nobody really knows how to address this,” he said. He asked Delisle to put herself in the shoes of someone who was uncomfortable with PDA and how she would feel if she still had to face it every day at school. Sawabi also noted that the purpose of being in school is to learn and asked Delisle if she thought she would get less of an education if she was not allowed to hold hands with her boyfriend. Delisle admitted that not being able to hold hands with her boyfriend would not affect her ability to do her schoolwork.
Subcommittee member Danielle Souza said she thought it was important to take the feelings of all students and even staff into account. She suggested a survey of the student body to determine their opinions, similar to the student survey taken two years ago when the school’s dress code policy was established. “We had some really good responses, including some you wouldn’t expect to come from students,” Souza said. “The feedback was amazing.” Souza said making sure that students had input into the policy would help with enforcing it. “I want them to own it,” she said.
Souza told Delisle she was very impressed with her willingness to come forward with her concerns. “This (policy handbook) is a living document and something we need feedback on,” Souza said. “When something’s not working, we need to know.”
At the School Committee meeting later that evening, Sawabi and Souza updated the full committee on the meeting. Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach said she felt that the issue could be handled by the junior/senior high school administration. She asked DiLeo and her administrative team to review and clarify the school’s policy on student displays of affection.

Student presents petition asking for definition of ‘inappropriate display of affection’

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Ware High School sophomore Karoline Delisle brought a petition signed by 200 students to the Sept. 28 School Committee meeting, asking for clarification as to what constitutes an “inappropriate display of affection” and what the district’s policy is on the issue. Delisle said she had been reprimanded several times at the school for “inappropriate display of affection” when teachers and administrators witnessed her and her boyfriend holding hands or hugging. Delisle said she couldn’t recall this type of rule ever being in place before, but said it was being strictly enforced this year by Principal Marlene DiLeo. “We students would like to know why hugging and hand-holding is inappropriate,” Delisle said. “It seems ridiculous to all of us.”
Delisle went on to say that the school bus she rides on picks up some younger students that attend St. Mary’s School. She said those younger students are often holding hands with their parents at the bus stop and give their parents a good-bye hug. “Is that inappropriate?” Delisle asked.
Policy subcommittee chair Danielle Souza invited Delisle to the subcommittee’s next meeting on Oct. 12 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss the matter. “We want to hear what you have to say,” Souza said, adding that she was “very impressed” with the way Delisle was addressing her concerns. Souza also noted that the subcommittee would seek input from DiLeo. DiLeo said she would be at the subcommittee meeting, and called Delisle’s bringing the matter forward “a great display of democracy.”
Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach said she didn’t think there was a specific policy in place regarding “inappropriate display of affection,” but stated that principals have jurisdiction to stop behavior that is not conducive to education.
Committee member Aaron Sawabi thanked Delisle for bringing the issue forward. “We encourage any comments and concerns from citizens and students,” he said.

Committee updated on AP program at Ware High School

John A. Smolenski, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative (MMSI) gave the board an update on the Advanced Placement (AP) program at Ware High School.
The MMSI is an effort to get more high school students to take high-level courses, particularly in math and science, in order to prepare them for college success and ultimately, for careers in those fields. AP courses are college freshman-level classes offered in high school. Students can earn college credits for AP courses if they score well enough on the final exam. The MMSI is currently funded by grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Exxon/Mobil, among others.
Ware High School has offered AP courses for three years, and has been associated with the MMSI for the last two years. “Your kids here in Ware are challenging themselves,” Smolenski said, stating that not only had the number of students enrolled in AP courses increased since the MMSI partnered with Ware High School, but the number of AP courses offered and the number of students earning high scores on the AP test have also increased.
The MMSI assists schools with AP courses by offering professional development and mentoring for teachers and extra training for students.
Smolenski told the committee about the academic pep rally he led Sept. 14 at the school to get students excited about taking AP courses. Smolenski stated that colleges want to see students challenging themselves by taking AP classes and suggested that Ware High School consider adding an AP math class such as calculus or statistics. “They you’d have math, science and English; the big three,” he said.
Additionally, Smolenski said the MMSI would like to see more of the district’s low-income students taking AP classes. “Our goal is for the demographics of your high school to match the demographics of the AP classroom,” he said.
Since the funding for the MMSI is based on grants, Smolenski encouraged the committee members to contact their local and state representatives and ask them to support funding for the future of the MMSI program. “For us to continue to stay in Ware, we’re going to need some combination of state, federal and private funds,” said Smolenski.

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Policy allows bus drivers’ children to ride on school bus

At the Sept. 14 School Committee meeting, Chairman Christopher Desjardins shared that a concerned parent had contacted him with concerns about a First Student school bus driver who had three of her own children on the bus with her. The parent questioned whether the presence of the three children would be distracting to the driver and whether or not the bus was already overcrowded with students. Desjardins said Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach had brought up the concern with a First Student representative, who explained that their company policy allows their school bus drivers to have up to three of their own children riding with them. Additionally, the bus in question is not at its total capacity for students, so the driver’s children are not causing an overcrowding situation. Beach added that there are five First Student bus drivers in Ware who have their own children riding with them, for a total of seven children. Committee member Aaron Sawabi explained that it is a common practice across the state for bus drivers’ children to ride with them.

Policy Subcommittee working on a set of operating norms for the committee

One of the goals the committee set for itself for the 2011-2012 school year is to create a set of operating norms, stating how the committee will conduct its meetings, how the members will relate to one another, and how the members will communicate with each other, the public, and the media. “We want ownership of this,” said Policy Subcommittee Chair Danielle Souza. To help get the committee started on the list of norms, the Policy Subcommittee presented some operating norms established by another Massachusetts school committee to use as a guideline. The committee will discuss the use of operating norms with a representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees at their training session scheduled for Sept. 19. They will also discuss the norms at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 28.

Beach plans for anticipated expenses

Beach said she and her leadership team met recently to identify some of the challenges the district will be facing this school year. One concern is the loss of seven computers from school computer labs. Another is the boiler at Ware Junior Senior High School, which is in need of repair. Beach said the repairs will cost approximately $20,000 and will be funded with the insurance money the district will be receiving for winter storm damage.

Cost-cutting measures discussed

Souza asked whether the district might consider imposing a limit of one student handbook per family due to the cost of printing the booklets. “If you have three or four students in school, you’re getting three or four of these,” Souza explained. “We’re trying to pinch pennies, here.” Desjardins said having the handbook available for download would be an even better option since there would be no cost. The committee discussed the possible use of electronic versions, although parents would still be required to sign a paper stating that they have received it. Sawabi said he considered the expense of printing paper handbooks “a legitimate cost of doing business.” Beach offered to run the numbers to see how much of a savings the district would generate if each family with children in the district received only one handbook. She will report her findings back to the committee.

Town manager’s tenure filled with ups and downs

Two years of service focused heavily on financial overhaul

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

WARE – In the two years that Town Manager Mary T. Tzambazakis has been at the helm before tendering her resignation last week, she has made many changes. While not all of her decisions have been popular, she has certainly left her mark on the town and made some positive changes for Ware’s future.

Tzambazakis took over at Town Hall on the heels of the town’s first Town Manager Steven C. Boudreau whose contract was not renewed at the end of June 2009. Tzambazakis, the former chief financial officer for the city of Springfield, was hired first as an interim town manager with a three-month contract beginning July 1, 2009, only to have her interim contract extended for an additional three months. Ultimately she was offered the job on a permanent basis in December 2009.
One of Tzambazakis’s most controversial issues was a lingering legal battle with ABC&D Recycling over a special permit and a zoning dispute. After spending thousands in court costs, the town ultimately lost the case in Hampshire Superior Court at the end of 2010. Although the battle became somewhat personal at times, with Tzambazakis singled out as the target for pointed political messages displayed on the company’s sign at its 198 East St. location, to a great extent, Tzambazakis inherited the problem. The town and ABC&D first butted heads in 2008 when the Board of Health denied owner Richard C. Riley’s application to allow Municipal Solid Waste at the site.

Another inherited problem for Tzambazakis was the Casino Theater, directly across from Town Hall on Main Street. The issues with the Casino first surfaced under Boudreau’s tenure when the first buckle in the exterior wall was discovered. Previous owners Western Mass Theaters already owed the town approximately $10,000 in back taxes when Tzambazakis was hired and the garish safety fence that surrounded the historic building, blocking much of Veterans Park and the parking lot behind it had already been up for several months.

When Western Mass Theaters sold the Casino to Fred T. McLennan, Tzambazakis first tried to work with him, then began bringing him to court in an effort to raze the building or make it sound, claiming that the building was already a public safety hazard and deteriorating rapidly. Tzambazakis took flak from some who thought she should do more to help save the building. “The town should not be using public money for private property,” said Tzambazakis on more than one occasion. Others lamented the court costs involved, not to mention the cost of demolishing the structure. The town will hold a lien on the now vacant property at 121 Main St. Whether or not the town ever recoups its money to demolish the Casino, for some residents, Tzambazkis’ legacy will always be tied to the loss of the formerly grand structure on Main Street.

Tzambazakis’ financial background paid off when she found several sources of revenue the town had been missing out on. She discovered that hundreds of building permits had never been fully processed, causing the town to miss out on additional tax revenue. She also determined that when the town’s sealer of weights and measures left in 2003 and an outside contractor was hired for the job, the town never collected the fees from the businesses for the service.

Other changes Tzambazkis imposed included establishing personnel policies for department heads where none had existed. She created an Insurance Advisory Committee that worked to successfully negotiate better rates for the town and has put a Capital Planning Committee in place to help the town plan for its future capital expenses.

Perhaps one of Tzambazakis’s biggest accomplishments is the placement of several key town employees. After declining to renew former Municipal Finance Director Paul Nowicki’s contract at the end of June 2010, Tzambazakis reorganized the town’s financial administration structure and eventually hired Leigh Deveneau-Martinelli as a Treasurer/Collector. Two months after long-time DPW Superintendent Gilbert St.George-Sorel retired in Sept. 2010, Tzambazakis hired Thom Martens for the job, citing his experience with water and wastewater treatment plants as being a particularly good fit for Ware.

In terms of her lasting impact on Ware, the town will certainly benefit from Tzambazakis’ insistence on hiring a town planner. From the start, Tzambazakis touted the need for a town planner to update the town’s master plan, coordinate the work of various boards and consider some long-term goals. On town meeting floor, Tzambazakis fought for the money to hire a town planner as mandated by the Charter. Voters approved the expenditure in May of 2010 and Tzambazakis began interviews but didn’t hire anyone. “I’m not going to hire somebody just to hire somebody,” she said. “I’m going to hire the right person for the job.” When long-time Executive Director of Community Development Paul E. Hills retired in June 2011, Tzambazakis was able to creatively combine parts of the community development position with that of a town planner in order to save the town money while being able to hire a well-qualified candidate. Karen Cullen took over in July 2011. “This puts the town in a good position to move forward,” said Tzambazakis at the time.

- Tell us what you think the next town manager should bring to the table for skill sets and vision at our online “reader forum” or “Facebook” pages, found at www.warenewsonline.com

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK – 7-7-11

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

School Committee considers hosting a MASC event on campus

At their July 6 meeting, the Ware School Committee discussed the possibility of hosting a Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) course on campus.
As Chair Christopher Desjardins explained, each member of the school committee is required to take a course through the MASC within a year of being elected. The course covers basic meeting procedures as well as other topics regarding laws and policies. Desjardins noted, however, that committee members might also benefit from a MASC course after they have some experience on the committee. “There is a learning curve to this,” he said. “As people learn the job, they have more questions.” A course would also cover any recent changes to the laws that members might not be aware of.
School committee member Danielle Souza suggested inviting members of other school committees from the region. “It would be nice to bring in other school committees from our area that might have the same issues or the same questions,” she said. “Maybe they’re doing something that we could piggy-back on. Maybe they have the same struggles we’re facing.” Souza also saw another benefit to bringing in people from outside the community. “The more people that get into our school and see how beautiful it is the better,” she said.
Desjardins agreed with Souza but worried about the time commitment of contacting other school committees with the information about the course. “It takes a lot of time to reach out to people,” he said, noting that there isn’t an existing database of school committee members’ emails that would make a mass mailing possible. Souza asked whether the MASC would be willing to send out information to its members promoting a course to be held in Ware. Desjardins said he would look into it.

Committee to review its goals monthly

Souza asked when the committee would have the opportunity to review its goals. “I feel like I’m out of touch with what we said,” she said. Desjardins said it was too easy for the committee to get off track with their goals. “We set them and then a million other things get thrown at us and we don’t have time to look at what we set eight months ago,” he said. Committee member Aaron Sawabi suggested that the committee take advantage of the relatively quiet summer months to revisit their goals. Desjardins suggested that the committee adopt a schedule to review their goals at their first meeting every month.
Desjardins went on to say that he thought the committee should have fewer goals. “It’s hard to do 10 goals when there is always something else that comes along,” he said. “We should try to keep it to three or four solid goals. There’s much more likelihood of us sticking to them.”

Meet and greet for new SMK Principal Daniel Somes set for July 12

Faculty, staff and parents of Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School students are invited to a “meet and greet” for new SMK Principal Daniel Somes at 12 p.m. July 12 at the school.

The next school committee meeting will be July 20 at 6:30 p.m.

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK – 6-9-11

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

School Committee approves school improvement plans for all three schools

The Ware School Committee unanimously approved school improvement plans (SIPs) from each of the district’s three schools at their June 8 meeting. The school improvement plans were created by each school’s school council; groups made up of administrators, teachers, parents, community representatives and students.
Elizabeth Nicholas, a teacher at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School and member of the school council, said one of the areas the SMK SIP focuses on is the continued use of technology. She said the school council recommends training all SMK teachers on how to use the “Post It” program where teachers can update their homework assignments online for parents to access from home.
Nicholas said the council also recommends continuing to use positive reinforcement strategies such as the SMK School Store BINGO program, where students receive a BINGO card every month and earn BINGO stamps when teachers or staff members notice them doing something good. If they fill their BINGO card by the end of the month, they can select a prize from the school store.
Ware Middle School teacher and school council member Kim Senecal delivered a report on the WMS SIP and the school council’s activities. She said one area the WMS SIP focuses on is the school’s anti-bullying program. Senecal said the council also addressed the need for an increased use of technology, including web-based programs like Study Island which helps students hone their math and English skills by playing educational online games. She said teachers can select which skills they want their students to work on and can track their students’ progress. While the idea is for students to play the online games from home, Senecal said there is some opportunity for students who don’t have computers at home to play the games at school.
Ware Junior Senior High School Council member Kevin O’Regan said the WJSHS SIP also focused on the effective use of technology, including educating students on the different dangers relating to social media. This is O’Regan’s last year serving on the council, following his daughter Sarah’s graduation last week. He took the opportunity to tell the committee how pleased he was with the progress retiring Principal Lucille Brindisi has made with the school. “I believe quite strongly that Dr. Beach coming on board and bringing Ms. Brindisi in has turned our school system around in a dramatic and positive way,” he said. School Committee member Danielle Souza thanked O’Regan for his time and work serving on the school council for the past few years.

Last day of school

The last day of school will be Friday, June 17. It will be a half day with no lunch served.

Free summer feeding program begins June 27

Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach announced that the free summer feeding program in the SMK cafeteria will begin June 27 and run on weekdays (excluding July 4) through Aug. 5. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 to 12:30. All children ages 1 – 18 are eligible for these free meals. Adults accompanying the children are welcome to enjoy a meal for a small fee. There are no income limits.

Winner announced in Bob’s Discount Furniture raffle

The winning ticket in the district’s raffle for a $500 Bob’s Discount Furniture was drawn during the meeting. David Poulin of Ware was the winner. Beach announced that the raffle raised $1655 which will be used to purchase 60 cases of copy paper, one quarter of the paper the district will need.

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE – 5/27/11

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Committee votes to reinstate right of first refusal clause into contract specifications

Ross Kiely, a labor union representative with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1459, and a handful of First Student school bus drivers attended the May 25 meeting of the Ware School Committee to ask the committee to reinstate a right of first refusal clause for current drivers into the bid specifications for the next school bus transportation contract. “In the bid specifications, there appears to be an inadvertent omission of recognition of the service the existing drivers have given to the Ware Public Schools,” said Kiely. “You have a proven set of drivers who have passed muster within the school district.”
Andy Paquette of the Management Solution noted that the clause had been included in the previous contract. However, according to Paquette’s notes from a Negotiations Subcommittee meeting, the subcommittee wanted that clause removed along with another clause about compensation. Paquette said both clauses were nixed from the bid specifications because the subcommittee considered them “outdated”. While Paquette said it would be easy to amend the bid specifications to include the clause, he warned the committee about accepting Kiely’s request. “We are walking a very fine line allowing the vendor to develop the specifications,” he said.
Kiely said his request was not unusual and that such clauses were “routinely agreed to” by school districts. Kiely also noted that he does not represent First Student, or any other bus company. “I’m not a vendor,” he said. “I won’t be submitting a bid. I’m just an agent for the drivers.”
The committee unanimously approved reinstating the clause offering all current bus drivers a first refusal option for employment.
Additionally, Paquette said he had received a question from a possible vendor about the district’s current collective bargaining agreement and compensation package between UFCW Local 1459 and First Student. In response, Paquette said he would be sending copies of the collective bargaining agreement to all vendors who had picked up a bid package. The committee voted to add a clause into the bid specifications stating that the vendor must provide a compensation package that is comparable to the current collective bargaining agreement between First Student and UFCW Local 1459. Negotiations Subcommittee Chair Brian P. Winslow questioned whether the committee had the right to make such a request. “What if a non-union vendor is bidding?” he asked. Paquette said it was within the committee’s purview to make such a request. A majority of the committee voted to include the clause, with Winslow voting against it.

Eugene Rich commended for Junior Prom effort

Winslow congratulated teacher Eugene Rich for his work coordinating and supervising the Junior Prom which was held at Spencer Country Inn May 20. Winslow, who chaperoned the event, said Rich did an outstanding job and the event was a success. “The students danced all night long,” said Winslow. “That’s how you judge a good dance.”

District will accept School Choice students on a space-available basis for 2011-2012

The committee voted to accept School Choice students from other districts on a space-available basis for the 2011-2012 school year. Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach said the only grade that does not have any space to accept School Choice students is Kindergarten. Winslow asked whether the district should invest in advertising in order to attract out-of-town students. Beach said the district had advertised in the past and didn’t believe it had much impact. Beach added that children of out-of-town faculty and staff would be given priority for any School Choice openings.

WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK – 5-15-11

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Superintendent Beach receives annual review

Chairman Christopher Desjardins read the School Committee’s review of Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach at the May 11 School Committee meeting.
Beach was evaluated on sets of established expectations in six areas; relationship with the committee, community relations, personnel management, educational and professional leadership, business and finance and professional qualities. Committee members rated Beach’s performance on a scale of 1 to 4 with 1 as “exceptional” and exceeding requirements, 2 as “satisfactory” and meeting requirements, 3 as “needs improvement” and meeting some but not all requirements, and 4 as “unsatisfactory” and not meeting requirements. Each committee member scored Beach individually with the results averaged together for the final score. Committee members also had the opportunity to comment. Beach received ratings of “satisfactory” or higher in all areas.
In the area of relationship with the School Committee, Beach’s scores ranged from 1.8 to 1.4. Committee member Brian Winslow said he felt Beach’s relationship with the committee needs improvement and commented on the “lack of complete mutual respect and trust” between Beach and the committee. Winslow said information requested by the committee is not always forthcoming. Beach’s highest average score was in response to the way she “supports and enhances the committee’s core values, budget commitments and budget priorities.”
Under community relations, Beach’s averaged scores ranged from 2 to 1.2. In response to the expectation of working effectively and respectfully with parents and students, Winslow said parents often find Beach “unapproachable and at times intimidating.” Beach received the highest scores on the expectations of working effectively with state and local public officials and promoting the Ware Public Schools. Committee member Joanne Rys commented Beach “has made community relations a priority. In this regard, she is a true leader who has exerted tremendous influence.” Desjardins wrote, “I feel she tirelessly promotes the Ware Public Schools to all.”
In the personnel management category, Beach’s averaged scores ranged from a 2 to a 1.25. The 1.25 was her average score regarding the expectation of finding the best-qualified individuals for each position. Desjardins wrote. “Beach has put together a top-notch staff for the children of Ware. I think this has been a huge part of the improvement of the district.” Winslow said Beach “has surrounded herself with many capable staff members including probably the three best principals in the state.”
In the area of educational and professional leadership, Beach’s averaged scores ranged from 1.5 to 1.2. Desjardins applauded the time Beach spends within the schools. Rys commented Beach influences the entire learning community “to work to the highest professional standards.”
Beach received her highest scores in the area of business and finance, where her scores ranged from 1.4 to 1.2. Desjardins wrote “given the funds she has been given to work with, I think she has done an amazing job,” and mentioned the numerous innovative fundraising efforts she has initiated for the district. He also mentioned Beach’s offer to decrease her hours and salary in order to save the district money, often working from home on her days off. Rys said Beach “has found creative ways to maintain programs, keep staff and run efficiently at a minimal budget.”
In the area of professional qualities, ranging from exercising sound judgment to maintaining professional development by attending regional, state and national meetings, Beach received scores ranging from 2 to 1.6. Rys noted that Beach has a seat on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. “She is a true asset to the Ware Public Schools,” wrote Rys.
Beach thanked the committee for their feedback.

Coordinated Program review shows significant improvement

Beach announced the district has received the final report on the Coordinated Program Review (CPR) that took place last fall. The report listed six findings, mainly in the area of English language learners. Beach said she was pleased with the significant improvement the district has made since the last CPR six years ago when there were 53 findings.

Tag sale, recycling event raise $2000

Beach reported $2000 in proceeds from the May 7 tag sale and recycling event held on campus. The money will be used to purchase a new white board for the high school and agenda books for Ware Middle School students. The Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School (SMK) plant sale raised $500, the PTO’s Truck Day at SMK raised $1200, and the golf tournament raised $3000. Beach said the district is considering offering a weekly flea market on campus to be held Saturdays over the summer as an additional fundraiser. Anyone who would be interested in participating should contact Beach.

Dr. DiLeo will be new WJSHS Principal

Beach announced that Dr. Marlene DiLeo, currently the principal at SMK has been appointed as the next principal at Ware Junior/Senior High School. Current WJSHS Principal Lucille Brindisi will retire at the end of the school year. Beach said the district has posted the SMK principal position.