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 Paquette said both clauses were nixed from the bid specifications because the subcommittee considered them “outdated”.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.