The Rochester School Committee began its September 25 meeting by acknowledging a comprehensive list of new hires and veteran employees.
Superintendent Michael Nelson announced that, starting on the first day of the new school year, Sarah George is the new Human Resources manager. Tri-Town resident Lucy Fuller is replacing Kim Reed as district receptionist/administrative assistant. At Rochester Memorial School, Jennifer Rosati is a new paraprofessional. Emily Lacasse is a new speech language pathologist. Lisa Rusello is the principal’s new administrative assistant. Bailey Sweet is a new Special Education teacher, and Meghan Craig is a new paraprofessional. Past Sippican Elementary School staffer Debra Smith is a new RMS Special Education teacher.
Nelson then acknowledged those with 10 or more years of service to the district. At RMS, that list is highlighted by art teacher Beth Hemenway, who was recently “pinned” for achieving 25 years of school district service this year. Within the region, both Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner and ORR High School Principal Michael Devoll have reached 25 years of service, as has groundskeeper Bill Tilden.
As a special aside, Nelson noted Margaret DeMello, a paraprofessional and Title 1 Director at Old Hammondtown Elementary School in Mattapoisett, has served the ORR District for 51 years. “And she is back for her fifty-second,” he said.
In other action, the school committee approved accepting $833.33 from the Savaas Learning Company that will be used for supplemental curriculum materials and a donation of miscellaneous school supplies from the Rochester Democratic Town Committee.
The committee approved a Small Rural School Achievement Program grant award of $55,317 from the U.S. Department of Education that will be used to offset the cost of school materials.
The committee announced the next meeting of the Joint School Committee on Thursday, October 9, in the ORR Junior High Media Center, 133 Marion Road, Mattapoisett.
The Rochester School Committee’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 6:00 pm at Rochester Memorial School, 16 Pine Street.
Rochester School Committee
By Michael J. DeCicco