Freshly out of a special meeting held in concert with the Select Board to hear the UMass Boston Collins Center’s conclusion that the economic benefit of school consolidation would be offset by the resultant expansion of Center or Old Hammondtown Elementary School, the Mattapoisett School Committee focused Monday night’s regular meeting on causes for celebration.
And there were others, beginning with Old Hammondtown fifth grader Emma Lowe, whose “It’s Time for Trees” Arbor Day contest poster was recognized by the state Department of Conservation & Recreation as first among 2,300 entries statewide.
Old Hammondtown Principal Kevin Tavares told the committee that the school will receive a tree. It was the only scheduled vote on the May 15 agenda that was tabled, as stakeholders need time to determine details.
In her Chairperson’s Report later in the meeting, Carly Lavin cited that success and noted that “two things can be true at the same time …”
Lavin, who was running for reelection to the committee on Tuesday, also cited Town Meeting approval of Old Rochester Regional’s Operations and Capital budget as signs that Mattapoisett residents value education. She thanked ORR staff, the PTA and paraprofessionals and discussed an exciting May and June full of field trips and student activities.
As if she was offering parting words, Lavin told the members that they need to push for more. “We should continue to ask all the hard questions” on literacy, etc. and “advocate for our children,” she said, stressing the importance of accessible financial information. “My hope is this body continues to make sure the interests of the community are communicated in a transparent manner.”
Lavin publicly thanked the ORR Administration and Budget Subcommittee, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco for working with the Mattapoisett School Committee and the UMass Collins Center for engaging the committee during its study.
The Mattapoisett School Committee voted to approve what amounts to a general move to Thursday as meeting night with the following dates for the 2023-24 academic year: September 21, October 26, December 7, January 11, February 15, March 21, May 2 and June 13.
The committee also voted to approve two grants as introduced by ORR Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz: an Early Literacy Universal Screening Grant of $5,076 to purchase the DESE-approved Early Literacy Screening Assessment DIBELS 8th Edition for grades K-3 and a $152,000 Accelerating Literacy grant to cover 50% of the cost of new core instructional materials for Mattapoisett Public Schools.
The $152,000 Accelerating Literacy grant covers up to the entire cost of the initial professional development for educators to implement the materials. Fedorowicz told the committee it was an “extremely competitive grant” and that she reached out for quotes. She noted that $1,000,000 was awarded statewide, and ORR received three to serve all three district towns.
“Oftentimes, we’re not identified as a community with a certain poverty threshold,” said ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, noting that ORR’s needs-assessment program turned out to be “really a great decision that we made,” as it revealed the needs that prompted the award. “We’re very excited to bring this forward.”
The committee also discussed before and after-school program options that would necessitate the moving of a Kindergarten class from its regular space.
In his Principal’s Report, Kevin Tavares said there were 22 school days left as of Monday and discussed visits that sixth-grade students would make to ORR Junior High and a visit that third-graders will make to Old Hammondtown. A podcast interviewed sixth-grade students on what fifth-grade students should expect.
Tavares also thanked the Mattapoisett Land Trust for funding the upcoming Cuttyhunk trip for Grade 6 students. “It’s really cool that the island embraces this visit. We’ve been going every year,” he said. Grade 5 students will make a walking trip through Mattapoisett village, and a concert will be held on June 12.
In her Principal’s Report, Dr. Linda Ashley discussed the June 7 concert and graduation.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported that there was slightly over $310,000 remaining in the FY23 operation budget.
The committee entered executive session and only returned to adjourn.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 12, at Center School, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 8, at the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School media room. Both meetings start at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett School Committee
By Mick Colageo