It was determined at the April 27 meeting of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee that up to 12 eighth graders will be allowed School Choice slots within the ORR District during the 2023-24 year. The vote will not change either the maximum of 125 School Choice students allowed in Grades 7-12 or the maximum 20 students allowed slots in Grade 7.
The committee voted unanimously to approve Old Rochester Youth Football’s request of four game days of use of the high school’s Multipurpose Field, each day including five games on either Saturdays or Sundays in September or October.
“It’s a good relationship. We like having Bulldogs on campus,” said ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll, recommending a positive vote from the committee.
Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said that ORYF’s usage would be subject to weather, field conditions and the needs of the high school which take precedent. Devoll noted that an ORYF game day was cancelled last year due to weather-related field conditions.
“I think last year we had the same conversation, we were able to make it happen. As far as I know, there were no negative effects,” said committee member Jason Chisholm, adding that varsity football coach Bryce Guilbeault is supportive of the idea. “I think we should absolutely support this. I know we have to follow protocol, but it would be nice if (ORYF) didn’t have to come back every year.”
The ORR District is the recipient of several donations of varying kinds.
Approved by the ORR School Committee were: a Perkins Grant of $5,000 for class supplies and transportation earmarked toward high school students doing internships and a Northeast Food for Schools grant of $14,583 to procure local and minimally processed foods for ORR’s meals program in 2023-24.
In separate votes, ORR’s DECA chapter became the recipient of three donations, $300 from Fieldstone, $500 from Hiller Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram and $500 from Basic Financial Charitable Foundation. The donations support the DECA program and particularly trips.
In separate votes, the committee unanimously approved Memorandums of Agreement between the committee and the ORR Teachers Association for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 sports stipends.
The committee voted to approve several donations, including two 5×7-inch plaques to be given students for the Director’s Award and the Woody Herman Jazz Award. FORM also donated an amount not to exceed $400 for pizza, water and desserts for the band and chorus students’ end-of-the-year festival celebration on May 26 at the Junior High. FORM was also approved for a donation of a $100 gift certificate to Symphony Music for the James Armour Award. The McNulty Family’s donation of a snare drum to the Music Department was also approved.
The committee voted to accept two 12 book donations from Greg Hardy, including “Woke Racism” by John McWhorter and “False Alarm” by Bjorn Lomborg. Devoll explained to the committee that the school librarian reviewed the texts and found that the other 10 books either met with negative or no professional reviews.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Federowicz updated the committee on the literacy program and recognized committee member Rose Bowman for her work presenting on parent-teacher engagement.
With help from Devoll, attending the ORR boy’s winter track-and-field team was recognized for its 2023 Division 4 state championship.
During public comment, Tom Kearns thanked the administration and the committee for the job they did in 2022-23 during trying times. He also thanked the librarian staff for its work and expressed confidence in the department.
Nicki Demakis echoed Kearns’ sentiments and praised the committee and Matt Monteiro in particular for acting without bias and relying on experts in the evaluation of books. She also praised Chairperson Michelle Smith for her effort.
Shortly after the public session began, the committee entered executive session and returned to public session.
The next meeting of the ORR School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm at the ORR Junior High Media Room and are accessible live via Zoom.
By Mick Colageo