A $26,928 donation from the Marion Institute will build seven new gardens at Sippican Elementary School and implement the Grow Education Program after a vote to approve by the Marion School Committee in a special meeting held via Zoom on July 26.
Chairperson April Nye and members Mary Beauregard and Nichole Nye McGaffey heard from Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson on the culmination of a six-month partnership with the Marion Institute.
“Ultimately, the Marion Institute has been awarded a grant from the local (Community Preservation Act) funds to help rehab our gardens and actually enhance them, and then also the Marion Institute has been able to offer some free tools regarding the curriculum that supports the program and professional development,” explained Nelson.
The School Committee was reminded of its 2023 approval of the curriculum as presented by ORR Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz.
Citing collaboration with Liz Wiley, executive director of the Marion Institute, Nelson said work on the gardens has been discussed. Having consulted with Marion Town Counsel (KP Law), Nelson said it was determined that the School Committee’s vote to accept the donation was the best path to get the funds into action.
Nelson said ORR Facilities Director Gene Jones has held a preliminary meeting with the facilities lead from the Marion Institute to go over the scope of the project and to ensure all compliances. The gardens will include a small structure for compost and weeding, etc.
Nye McGaffey suggested adding the new gardens to the School Committee facilities tour.
The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, at Sippican Elementary, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, at the ORR Junior High media center. Both meetings start at 6:30 pm.
Marion School Committee
By Mick Colageo