In reporting to the Rochester School Committee on recent actions of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee during the former’s April 7 public meeting, member Jason Chisholm talked about the request by the president of ORR Youth Football to once again use ORR’s multipurpose (stadium) field.
The ORR School Committee discussed the matter in detail before tabling it until after the high school’s spring sports season ends, field conditions can be properly evaluated and a recommendation is given by ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll.
ORRYF requested four dates for 2022 (five games are held per date.) The organization successfully hosted two youth-football dates in 2021 and drew praise in a prior meeting from committee member Frances Kearns for leaving the facility devoid of any trash or belongings.
On what he called a personal note, Chisholm told the Rochester School Committee that it should give “very careful consideration to this request.” Alluding to discussion about the impact of community involvement on future positive experience at high school, Chisholm said, “I don’t know if we’re doing enough of that.”
Chisholm, a Rochester resident who played college football and currently coaches in another youth-football organization, has kept a keen eye on ORRYF and has also noted that participation numbers are affected by the amount of travel families must take on in a program unable to host home games.
“At some point the conversation is going to come back to the town,” he said, calling it a “small ask. … If you have any opinions on that, even if you’re against it … I think it’s important that we’re vocal about that.”
Chisholm also reported that the regional committee voted to maintain school choice numbers at present levels.
In his Central Office Administrator’s Report, Mike Nelson said as of April 7 that “Covid data remains in a good place.” Rochester Memorial School had no positive cases as of the meeting. Nelson described protocol as “still a layered mitigation approach with social distancing … time to think about next steps.”
According to Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell continues to move forward filing the ELL audit and working with other stakeholders on building ORR’s professional-development calendar.
Director of Student Services Craig Davidson reported that through the Mass Blackboard program, local schools gave away 65 bookbags with books and materials. Davidson also reported that transition meetings are being held for sixth graders scheduled to enter ORR Junior High School later this year and that Principal Silas Coellner visited Rochester Memorial School.
On Tuesday, April 12, Dr. Jesse Jackson III was scheduled to speak on how to deal with children when racial incidents happen at your school. The talk is Part 4 of a 10-part series over the next year. Jackson has trained more than 1,400 schools on the subject.
In his Principal’s Report, Derek Medeiros told the committee that a March 17-30 campaign sold 27 items that raised over $6,000 “scholastic dollars.” Last week, Medeiros attended a webinar on literacy designed to measure how well schools meeting state expectations. Rochester is well underway with MCAS testing.
The School Committee approved a name change for the Anti-Racism Subcommittee to the Equity Subcommittee. Member Kate Duggan explained that in a series of meetings, it was determined that the scope of the subcommittee had refocused beyond racism to the celebration of inclusion, diversity and belonging.
Nelson told the committee that Mattapoisett had already approved the change, and Rochester followed with its unanimous approval.
The School Committee approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Rochester School Committee and the Rochester support staff.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported that approximately $196,000 remains in unencumbered funds but told the committee to expect those funds would be spent by the end of the fiscal year. Barber also relayed from Food and Services Director Jill Hennesy that there has been a much higher participation in meal plans this school year.
In her Chairperson’s Report, Sharon Hartley accompanied new Rochester Town Administrator Glenn Cannon and Principal Derek Medeiros on an April 6 tour of Rochester Memorial School. “Derek is a great tour guide,” said Hartley, referencing his dialogue on the different sections of the building. Cannon grew up in Freetown, and Medeiros brought him up to date on the building’s changes over the years.
Chisholm said he will attend the Monday, April 25, 6:00 pm Select Board meeting to ensure the Rochester School Committee had a quorum present to its appointment at Town Hall regarding Old Colony Regional School District.
Hartley opened the meeting by reading from a poem by Amanda Gorman and thanked everyone for the light they bring to the meetings and to RMS. The committee began with an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and to comply with state laws.
The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, April 28. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm.
Rochester School Committee
By Mick Colageo