Old Rochester Regional School Superintendent Douglas White hopes he will have time this spring to walk the hallways, peek into classrooms and enjoy the successes of his decade-long tenure scheduled to end on June 30, the final day of the fiscal year.
“I spent quite a bit of time building the budget,” said White to the Rochester Memorial School Committee during its February 6 meeting at Rochester Memorial School.
It is not yet known who will be the superintendent operating within that budget.
The School Committee completed its interviews of candidates on January 29, and one of multiple day-long site visits of candidates’ present school systems was scheduled for February 12 at Dartmouth schools. The final round of interviews is Saturday, February 29.
In his budget review, White considered $2,850,000 a good number for Rochester schools, being only a small margin higher than last year’s.
“If we take it under consideration for some the good things that we are already doing (regarding gaps and a strategic plan), it shouldn’t be too hard to go forward,” he said.
Going forward, goals will review what has been happening in all the departments.
“The objective this year was to identify all the courses that are being offered and what kind of skill that’s there,” said White. “The big thing for us to update the skill… make sure those conversations are happening across the board. Our goal is K-12 in June.”
White estimates that art, music and physical education departments are 50-60 percent toward their goal.
Michael S. Nelson, the assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and student services, reported on Diversity Talks, a non-profit in which students sell their own stories. Nelson called it a great set-up for cultural-proficiency teams with engaging activities.
“(The students) finished the day with a presentation with real talk about the human vices we all deal with. We’re going to continue to design an action plan that makes sense,” he said.
Workshops included a responsive classroom, and teachers left with a plan for implementation on how to connect morning meetings to all classes.
School Committee member Sharon Hartley is working on town report documenting historical accomplishments for the town.
“It’s very cool to look at how the town has progressed and all that we accomplished,” said Hartley, who keeps records of meetings and awards for town reports including news about people that have retired and major issues. Members were encouraged to email Hartley with their own records.
Rochester Middle School Principal Derek Medeiros reported that Kindergarten registration is entirely possible now online.
White listed $215,000 earmarked for special education. That number is down by $136,000.
The potential need for additional staffing was discussed.
“Our bus company needs to ensure that they can continue to do routes,” said White. “We can get a dialogue that’s going to support the needs of the Rochester community.”
Under Capital Projects, White acknowledged a one-year capital need to push forward tech so that devices work to capacity.
“To run our system, we need to be the best,” he said, alluding to the HVAC system, units on the roof and the potential cost of replacement units. “We have a couple (of units) that are not going to be operating the way they should.”
The capital plan also addressed the need to irrigate the field out back, and White asked the committee how they want him to respond as the budget goes forward.
The two main parts of the irrigation project are the pump and the pump well for the soccer field out back and the playground adjacent to the building.
“Part of being able to use it on a consistent basis. You need to aerate it, you need to water it,” said White. “We put our priorities to the subcommittee with inside environment and tech needs.”
That left irrigation off the committee’s priority list.
Medeiros said initial cost was the big thing. It was also noted that the Parent Teacher Organization has some experience with people with wells and irrigation experience who might donate their time.
School Committee member Sharon Hartley, who opened the meeting, identified athletic-field irrigation as a third priority.
In a review of building policy, White said that it used to cost groups the same amount of money to rent out the gym for an event that lasted one hour as it did an event that lasted eight hours.
“We brought the number down. We thought that was a little more fair,” he said.
School Committee member Danni Klemiman reported a one-time, $25 fee for facilities to cover administrative costs. Amounts per hour include utilities and up to $50 for wear and tear. If custodians were needed to set up and/or clean up, it would result in an additional hour of pay.
A recreation-league basketball coach asked the Committee about the situation that Rochester residents face, considering Marion and Mattapoisett have recreation departments whereas Rochester does not.
“One of the things that we have to take into consideration as schools… are building their budgets (is) to address the school needs. There’s nothing to address the activities after hours,” said White. “Before (a revision on user fees) ever comes into practice, there is a lot more work that needs to be done… a forum that allows people to say we need to charge people this much more. There are conversations happening that this committee may not know about. We need to bring everybody to the table.”
A coach in attendance said that Rochester children presently do not pay for gym use and that anyone can use the gym as part of the Tri-Town Recreation Department.
White said more feedback is needed before changes can be made.
“I think we need to make sure that we go slow before we go fast. I don’t want headlines to say we’re raising our fees – we’re not – we’re beginning conversation,” said White.
“Right now, we’re going to proceed slowly,” said Hartley.
The next regular meeting of the Rochester Memorial School Committee is scheduled for March 12. The next joint meeting will be held March 5 for discussion about hiring a superintendent.
Rochester Memorial School Committee
By Mick Colageo