The Rochester School Committee began its 2022-23 academic year on September 1 with a tour of Rochester Memorial School and then held its first scheduled committee meeting where Chairperson Sharon Hartley stressed the importance of planning and goals and beginnings and endings and shared her excitement at the sight of teachers and students on opening day of classes.
Principal Derek Medeiros said that RMS has the second-largest group of new staff of his tenure. They include: Instrumental Music Teacher Kaitlyn Laprise, Grade 2 teacher Anne Realini, Grade 3 teacher Jen Hunter and Assistant Cook Fatima Pimentel.
Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson estimated that 18 to 20 new professionals have joined the ORR School District systemwide.
“It’s great to have Week 1 in the books,” said Nelson, who shared a greeting with a student that has him in the market for a new pair of shoes. “My favorite interaction with a student was a third grader … who was quick to point out I wore the same exact pair of shoes as last year. … I hope I don’t disappoint him next time I see him,” he said.
Nelson reported on a district-wide, meet-and-greet recently held at the high school over breakfast treats. He noted that 25-year paraprofessional Kathleen Hardy leads RMS in staff longevity, with Scott Huckaby at 20 years and counting as the school’s reading specialist.
ORR Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz started in her new role on August 1 and spent time getting to know teachers and staff.
Fedorowicz started right away working on literacy and said she is working with Medeiros and DESE-approved partner Hill for Literacy toward a needs assessment this fall. She reported having applied for a literacy grant and discussed plans for professional development including three targeted training sessions.
“She’s had to jump right in and get going,” said Nelson, referring to her work writing grant applications.
In her first school committee meeting, Fedorowicz addressed the RMS committee members.
“I have to say, even as a new person coming into the district, the energy was so impressive and warm and welcoming and people were so excited. There’s really a great energy (at RMS),” she said. “Opening day … It was fantastic here. … The classrooms were sparkling, they were clean, they were friendly and they were open.”
Director of Student Services Craig Davidson credited Assistant Principal Charlie West and teacher Kyle Letendre for their programming efforts during the summer SAIL program.
Fifteen high school students worked as mentors in the summer programming, and Davidson said grant funding made it possible to hold a second Acceleration Academy. All participants received lunch over the seven weeks in the high school building, and Davidson credited ORR Food Services Director Jill Hennesy and Facilities Director Gene Jones for making that possible.
In his Principal’s Report, Derek Medeiros noted that RMS began the 2022-23 school year with 498 students, a number he said would increase but noted, “the building is in phenomenal shape” and technologically ready.
An Open House was held on August 30, and Medeiros thanked the PTL for its work helping “Chalk the Walk” for Opening Day. He also reported that online student notifications are now accessible through private-access accounts.
The committee voted to approve amendments to the Student Handbook for 2022-23 but not without its own tweaks.
Committee member Anne Fernandes suggested improving on the adjective “indigent” where it concerns students and the waiving of certain fees. She applauded Nelson’s suggestion of replacing the phrasing to substitute with “financial hardship.”
Fernandes also questioned whether the ORR District had defined “institutional and systemic racialized practices” as part of the school’s Anti-Racism Resolution as referenced under Discrimination on Page 22 of the RMS Student Handbook.
Nelson explained based on his interpretation that any changes would necessarily go through the Policy Subcommittee, then solicit feedback and then come back to the Joint School Committee for vote.
The committee voted to approve the Student Handbook with Fernandes’ two recommendations.
Medeiros explained that the Student Handbook is accessible online but can be printed on request.
In the Open Comment session, resident Kelly Thomas spoke to the committee about her dissatisfaction with curriculum.
“There needs to be steps to ensure Critical Race Theory (CRT) and ‘comprehensive sex education’ does not take root in our standards or curriculums. To quote a parent, ‘CRT is definitely happening,'” said Thomas, citing reports of Florida and Texas of school committees voting against allowing CRT in its communities’ classrooms.
Referencing examples in specific New England towns, Thomas asserted that classrooms are teaching children to reject traditional social norms and “embrace gender ideology.” She told the committee regarding its surveys that there should be parental consent to any type of questioning that goes toward a student. Thomas openly questioned how student data is used as RMS and who has access to that data. Referring to “sexual preference” and “identity,” she asked, “Why is this even part of the lesson plan?”
A second person connected via Zoom expressed dissatisfaction with the vetting process of guest speakers. (Activist Liz Kleinrock spoke to ORR District-wide faculty.)
In his Financial Report to the committee, ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said that the local district’s overall remaining funds are just under $48,000 with Bristol Aggie accounting for $27,000 and the RMS general operation budget accounting for $21,000.
Barber said there has been air-quality testing and appropriate maintenance in the facilities as recommended by Gene Jones.
Food services are continuing as administered by Hennesy with ORR District schools serving one free meal per student per day, with a charge for a second meal. Barber said menus are challenging with the shortages and dramatic price increases on a national scale.
Nelson told the committee that the Food Services department would be running at a deficit and to anticipate reviewing the meal rates in the future.
The committee voted twice to approve recommended movement on the Surplus List, first approving the disposal of Special Education Evaluation Tools and also an Expired List of Literacy Resources.
The committee entered executive session and only returned to adjourn the public meeting.
The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, at 6:30 pm, and the Joint School Committee meets on Thursday, September 29, also at 6:30 pm.
Rochester School Committee
By Mick Colageo