A two-year bus contract for the fiscal years of 2013 and 2014 for the district was approved by the Marion School Committee at their meeting on Wednesday night, January 4.
The Braga Bus Company offered the 2011 rate for the fiscal years of 2013 and 2014, which will cost $377,215 per year for the district, but will save $59,918 over the next two years. The contract cost does not include bussing costs of special education students or late busses leaving the junior and senior high school.
“We’re very pleased with the service they’ve provided over the past few years,” said Superintendent Doug White. “We work with them and the Department of Public Works in the towns to determine road conditions and the safety of our students, especially in winter weather and they have been attentive to any concerns we’ve had.”
The contract cost does not include a “fuel escalation” clause which was described as “plus or minus 5 percent of the cost of diesel fuel in 2009 when the contract bid was accepted,” according to Katie Isernio, School District Business Administrator. “It (fuel surcharge) has run us approximately $4,000 per year so far,” said Ms. Isernio.
Mr. White presented his report and said that fiscal year budget 2013 presents a challenge, with the expiration of federal and state funds, which were used to offset a decrease in local revenue. “Over the next several months, finance subcommittees from all four school committees will be meeting regularly with administration to create the proposed FY 13 budget”, said Mr. White.
Another item discussed was a grant application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that could possibly secure funds up to $500,000 for the purpose of finding new and more efficient ways to deliver core local services which could include delivering technology services. The district agreed to push for inclusion of a position for a technology director in the FY 2013 budget to coordinate all the schools in the district. After the technology subcommittee presents their report in February, describing the importance of technology direction for the district, the grant application can proceed.
Elise Frangos, Director of Curriculum presented the January 13 Professional Development workshops available to teachers. There will be no school for students on that day. All the teachers from all the district schools will attend, with many of the sessions touching on the “common core curriculum” found both in and outside of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).
Another professional development day is planned for January 27 and there will be no school for students on that day.
Lyn Rivet, Principal of Sippican School said the Sippican School Council discussed the School Council’s discussion of a dress code and a survey was done. Of the 368 families at Sippican School, 227 responded, with 21 percent voting yes for a strict dress code and 79 percent voting no.
Committee member Michelle Ouellette asked about the wording of the survey question which used the words “strict dress code” and also said that in looking at the time stamps recording the votes, some only seconds or minutes apart, it appeared that some people had replied numerous times to the question. “I think it’s still open to debate,” said Ms. Ouellette.
“We asked the School Council to gather information on the topic, whether it’s valid or invalid or if it was a negative or positively worded question… they did their job,” said Chairman Brad Gordon. Mr. Gordon said that the School Council agreed that the current code could be ‘tightened up’ and that topic will be listed on the agenda for their next meeting.
Ms. Rivet said that the teacher training module for the grade tracking software program, Power Grade, has been purchased for $2500. Sixth grade teachers will begin working with the tool and transfer current grades over to the system. The system allows students and parents to view the grade standards and how a students progress stacks up tot he standards.
Facilities Manager, Steven Murphy said that the district had locked in a 6 cent rate for electricity for the FY 2013. The current rate ranges from 6 and a half to 8 cents, saving approximately $1000 per month for Sippican School. Mr. Murphy said that a flat gas rate has been negotiated and with a lower average daily temperature, he is projecting a 7 percent decrease in gas costs for FY 2013.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry