Letter to the Editor from the Greely's

Dear Editor,

People don't come to Holbrook to work in a high rise office building. They don't come here to shop in a mall.
You won't see tourists or people seeking "night life" in Holbrook. What you will see in Holbrook is families.
Holbrook exists so you can raise a family. An essential part of raising children is ensuring that they
are properly educated so they can face the challenges that await them in the competitive technological society
they will live in.

Last year Holbrook High School was listed as one of the top ten most improved schools in Massachusetts in MCAS
results. Absenteeism, tardiness and disciplinary problems are all down from prior years. These improvements are not
the result of a "happy accident". We have in place now a proactive school administration that does not consider
the less than stellar results we've historically had "good enough". They are doing something about it. They are
doing this in spite of rising costs, shrinking state aid, and buildings that are not up to par.

During the coming election we have a chance to vote on the direction that we want the schools to take.
Right now, the schools are going in the RIGHT direction. Vote for incumbents Barbara Davis and Christine Ward
for school committee. Vote to continue the progress that's been made towards the quality school system
that Holbrook's children require and deserve.

Sincerely,
Charles and Patricia Greely

Holbrook schools may cut 30 positions-increase class sizes

Posted Mar 26, 2011 @ 06:19 PM

Holbrook —

Holbrook school officials may have to cut 30 staff positions due to a $2.1 million hike in mandated costs as well as to cover the loss of federal grant monies.

During a March 23 public hearing on the proposed 2011-2012 school budget, Superintendent Joseph Baeta said specific cuts would be determined in the coming weeks and that the loss of personnel would drive up class sizes.

“Of the 30 positions we are cutting, there would be 24 teaching positions cut and impact class sizes to 32-plus at the elementary level and 35-plus at the secondary level,” Baeta said. 

 Baeta said 14.7 positions that have been funded by the waning federal grants are to be eliminated.  

“There will be no saving positions in August as we have done in the past because all federal assistance is being cut,” he said. “This is because of the impact of losses of federal grants which this community relies on.”

The superintendent said the district could “live with a $1.2 million (increase) and have limited issues.”

He explained that the majority of the increase is for resources and staffing needs.

Included in the school department’s proposed $13,350,889 spending plan for next year are $175,000 in total salary increases along with hikes in mandated special education costs and student transportation. The district must also cover $13,000 in Medicaid bills.

Other increases in the budget include $12,700 for administration and paraprofessional cost of living salaries, $30,000 for special education materials, $50,000 in various line items for professional development, a 2 percent hike in regular education transportation, and a request for a part-time maintenance worker.

Baeta has previously explained that the district must address an audit report by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that listed a number of issues.

Compounding the budget crisis this year is the loss of federal monies.

The district is losing $527,000 in federal grants that paid for a number of teaching and paraprofessional positions.

This year there is a request of $100,000 to purchase new textbooks and classroom supplies and materials.

Baeta has said the district is in dire need of new textbooks and that many date back to the 1980s and 1990s. He added that the school system has been putting off putting off purchasing new ones.

The superintendent has also noted that there is an increase in the number of English Language Learners in the district and that a fulltime teacher and a part-time teacher have been requested to address that as required by state law.

Administration salary increases range from 0 to $33,000. He has previously explained that for the first time administrators’ pay is based on merit.

The superintendent noted that some administration positions are shared.

For instance, Baeta oversees facilities and he and the business manager share grant writing duties. He said a proposal is being floated to share administrative duties with other districts to save money.

The proposed budget will go before the May 3 Town Meeting.

Read more: Holbrook schools may cut 30 positions - Holbrook, MA - Holbrook Sun http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/archive/x1608497677/Holbrook-schools-may-cut-30-positions#ixzz1HoRj6jUY

Let's meet

Tonight the Board of Selectmen Voted to Meet with the Permanent School Building Committee on Thursday April 14th  at the Jr/ Sr High School. This will be a joint meeting with the Fin Com (Finance Committee), the School Committee, and the Capital Improvement Committee.  Kudoos to BOS(Board of Selectmen) Chairman  Matt Moore for  getting this meeting set. This is a very important meeting to attend. There should be alot of discussion about the future of our public schools. Please mark your calendars. Maybe we can get some movie night/ babysitting  planned!

Contributors Wanted: Events, issues,documents, comments etc.

We encourage anyone to post information, etc on this blog,We need help posting meeting dates, community events, issues, documents,comments; anything that will make this site, current, relevant and useful. All  input is welcome.  The more information we can share with each other and the community, the more we can help the schools!Please send an email and we'll make sure you have access. If we all do a little the results will be great!

Candidates for School Committee

School Committee Candidates will speak Tuesday March 15th at the  HEPG meeting at 7:00 pm at JFK; (HEPG starts at 6:30) this is a good time to see what these candidates are all about for the upcoming elections. We will have voter registration forms on hand, too!

Invited candidates are:

Barbara Davis of 49 Summit Road

Christine Ward of 32 Sunflower Road

John Callahan, Jr. of 520 South Franklin St.

Thomas E. S. Haskins of 308 South Franklin St.

John McMahon of 345 Pine St

Let's give them a good turnout, and hopefully they will do the same for us!

Register to Vote!

Here is a link to download a form to register to vote: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elestu/stuidx.htm

Candidates Corner: Davis stresses highest possible quality of education for Holbrook

Holbrook Sun-

Barbara Davis, candidate for re-election to the school committee, said, “I want to ensure that the public school students of Holbrook receive the highest quality of education as possible.
“I take my job as a member of the school committee very seriously. I am visible in the schools. I attend many school events, from football and basketball games to concerts and drama productions. I visit the classrooms in all three buildings on a regular basis and touch base with the principals often. I also speak with teachers and staff frequently.
“We need to expand our course offerings at the Junior/Senior High School level so that students have more options. We need to make sure that all our students take challenging courses so that they are prepared for college and life after high school while fulfilling the Common Core Curriculum at the same time. We currently have six advanced placement courses, more than a couple of the local private schools combined. We need to ensure that students continue to have these options, as well as those of Virtual High School, which we joined this past year.
“We need to implement a full day kindergarten program. The state is strongly encouraging this implementation. Studies show that the earlier we are able to reach a child, the more likely it is that the child will be successful in school.
“We also need to continue our work in lowering and maintaining class sizes. Schools with students who are most successful on standardized tests typically have lower class sizes. This is critical, especially in the earlier grades.  Holbrook ranks near the bottom of the list of communities in Massachusetts for regular education per pupil expenditures and in the percentage of school versus non-school expenditure.
“We need to strengthen our arts programs. Courses like art, music, and drama, rather than being frills in a school curriculum, are a necessity. Studies show that schools with strong arts programs have students who perform better on standardized tests such as the SATs or the MCAS. Music making develops students with better math skills, better reading skills, and better social skills. In short, making music makes you smarter. In order to expand our arts programs, we need space to have art and music areas in each building.  In addition, the Junior/Senior High School doesn’t even have any music practice rooms or a decent rehearsal hall, items that have existed in most area high schools for decades and which are necessary to run a good quality music program.
“There have been many positive improvements over the past several years in the Holbrook public schools, but there is still much more to be done. I want to continue working towards our goal of making the Holbrook public schools a model for academic excellence and innovation. I want to ensure that all our students receive a challenging, well-rounded curriculum that will enable them to be prepared with all the tools they need to be successful after high school.
“In conclusion, I believe that students in small towns like Holbrook deserve the same opportunities as students in more affluent communities. I will continue to work hard to make that happen.”
To find out how you can help, contact Campaign Manager Alex Mann at alexandermann@yahoo.com or Barbara Davis at barbarapdavis@gmail.com.

Read more: CANDIDATES CORNER: Davis stresses highest possible quality of education for Holbrook - Holbrook, MA - Holbrook Sun http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/archive/x904832385/CANDIDATES-CORNER-Davis-stresses-highest-possible-quality-of-education-for-Holbrook#ixzz1GJcpEViP

Candidates Corner: Davis stresses importance of firsthand knowledge of Holbrook school issues

Holbrook Sun—

Barbara Davis, candidate for re-election to the school committee, said, “I have been a visible presence in the community and continue to be passionate about making the Holbrook public schools an exceptional school system. Students, staff, and parents need to feel supported by the school committee, and one way of doing that is by being visible and available at the schools and events. Visiting the schools, I speak with everyone about issues and concerns. Attendance at school events helps me to get a better understanding about what is needed and what the issues are.
“Being on the school committee is more than attending two meetings a month. It is very important to see firsthand the problems and issues affecting the schools. The committee makes decisions on items that will directly affect the buildings, staffing, supplies, and other important matters.
“I have worked hard to ensure that all of Holbrook’s public school students receive the best education possible. I am committed to continuing to work diligently to help make the improvements necessary so the Holbrook public schools can become an exceptional school system. In the past two years, the public debate over renovations or regionalization have finally come forward. I have been involved at every meeting in and out of the district on these matters. I am the only candidate who can say that.
“A school committee member should be an advocate for the children of Holbrook. I am a visible presence in the schools and work hard to ensure that all of Holbrook’s students receive the best education possible. I continue to work toward adding staff to reduce class size and maximize student potential, and wish to move forward on a building project, seek out alternative revenues to offset the rising costs of underunded mandates, and encourage students and parents to continue at the Holbrook schools.
“The residents of Holbrook have a right to a school committee member who cares enough to go into the school buildings regularly and see what goes on firsthand. I form my opinions and make decisions based on facts, rather than popular misconceptions, and I listen with open ears and an open mind.”
To find out how you can help ensure Davis continues her work in improving the education of the Holbrook public school students, email her at barparapdavis@gmail.comor campaign manager Alex Mann at alexandermann@yahoo.com

Read more: CANDIDATES CORNER: Davis stresses importance of firsthand knowledge of Holbrook school issues - Holbrook, MA - Holbrook Sun http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/archive/x1174962483/CANDIDATES-CORNER-Davis-stresses-importance-of-firsthand-knowledge-of-Holbrook-school-issues#ixzz1GJcAS1qM