On May 18, the Mattapoisett School Committee voted in favor of a full-time substitute teaching position at Center School where projected kindergarten and first-grade enrollments have committee members concerned about swelling class sizes.
“We anticipate 54 [students] coming into kindergarten,” Principal Rosemary Bowman said. This figure accounts for the typical fluctuations due to prospective students moving out of town, as well as the movement of students into the district from out of town or from private schools.
Committee members noted, however, that it would not take that many additional students—a mere increase of two per cohort—to boost class sizes to 19, which is too many for what the committee feels are the most critical years of a student’s education.
“You always look to the youngest,” Bowman said about adjusting class sizes with the addition of faculty members. “The debate has been between kindergarten and first grade.”
Bowman added, in discussing the current and projected enrollments of the different cohorts with Assistant Principal Kevin Tavares, “it makes the most sense to have [smaller classes] in kindergarten.”
In a creative solution, Superintendent Doug White suggested that the committee consider hiring a certified teacher for a one-year substitute teaching position.
“That has been the biggest problem,” White said. “Securing highly qualified substitutes.”
Bowman explained to the committee that the school would benefit from having a substitute who reports to the building every day, but who could also be appointed to lead a class section when class sizes are too large for the current staffing.
Having a certified teacher already working in the school would help make hiring more efficient because the candidate would be selected from a pool that an interview committee had previously screened.
“I think it’s a pretty good hybrid mix,” Chairman James Higgins said before motioning for a vote. The committee unanimously voted to move forward with the full-time substitute teaching position.
In other business, the School Committee voted to increase the cost of the school lunches by 25 cents. Students will now be able to purchase a school lunch for $2.75 instead of $2.50.
“We’re seeing increased food and labor costs each year,” Food Service Director Caitlin Meagher said. She explained that increasing the cost of lunch would not only help defray these costs, but help the school replace many of its appliances that are swiftly aging.
Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos reviewed the professional development calendar for the next school year, which the committee approved. The calendar features a first kick-off event in September. A subsequent professional development event will “bring together teachers from Grades 6, 7, and 8 for some vertical teaming,” Frangos said.
“That was a very detailed layout of professional development for the next year,” Higgins praised.
In her principal’s report, Bowman announced that for the first time, Center School and Old Hammondtown School will have a joint Flag Day celebration. Students will attend Flag Day dressed as an American hero whom they have researched in preparation for the event.
Finally, prior to the adjournment of the Mattapoisett School Committee, many members expressed thanks to the Town.
“Support from the Town, greatly appreciated, will support the learning of our students,” White said. “I want to thank the sub-committee, as well as the full School Committee for the budget,” he added.
Higgins echoed White’s words.
“We were lucky with the support of our town to pass a very good budget,” Higgins said.
After reviewing minor scheduling conflicts, the Mattapoisett School Committee confirmed that the next meeting will be Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm at Center School.
By Anne Smith
