Three residents attending the September 29 public meeting of the Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55 in person at the Media Room of the Junior High School participated in the Open Comment session.
Addressing the high school’s library, the residents aired concerns about books available with “graphic behavior” and “sexual content,” though none of the speakers identified any specific book.
One of those who spoke said that as community members, they should be included in approving or rejecting library books, “included but not limited to sexual education and sexual narratives, gender resources, gender narratives and political resources.” They suggested there be a committee for approving public library books where members of the community could be involved.
“Say there is a student who says, ‘I’m having some difficulty with gender dysphoria.’ Is that a phone call? Is there a policy? How is that handled?” a resident asked the committee.
Open Comment policy dictates that the committee hear from the public but does not respond to or interact with the topics introduced beyond facilitating and managing the session, which has rules for total duration and time for individual speakers given the floor.
Updated substitute-teacher eligibility requirements and compensation rates were presented for the ongoing academic year in order to remain competitive in the current environment. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree or comparable two years of study from an accredited college or university, as well as passing a CORI and National Fingerprint background check.
Compensation rates are daily and vary depending on the specific role, starting at $100 for Instructional assistants, up to $140 for nurses. Cafeteria, clerical and custodial workers will be paid per hour at the Massachusetts minimum wage. Long-term substitutes, when pertaining to vacancies longer than 20 consecutive days in the same position, will have a separate pay rate and are eligible for full benefits after 60 consecutive days.
After a unanimous vote to approve the pay rates, the committee moved on to the updated student discipline and dress code, with minimal updates to both.
“The responsibility for the dress and appearance of the students will rest with individual students and parents/guardians,” read the statement posted on the committee website. “They have the right to determine how the student will dress, providing that attire is not destructive to school property, complies with requirements for health and safety and does not cause disorder or disruption.”
The committee then discussed the updated, non-discrimination policies, including procedures for responding to harassment and retaliation, followed by the policies for equal-opportunity education, hiring and the School Choice policy.
School Choice, a random selection of nonresident children seeking to fill a limited number of vacancies in the ORR student body, awards priority to students with siblings already enrolled. After a brief revision of language used in the document, which can also be found on the ORR Joint School Committee webpage, the document was approved.
The administration presented a Strategic Plan Update for the 2022-23 school year, outlining goals.
“As a reminder, we are in the final year of our approved strategic plan,” ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson began. “Certainly, since this plan’s adoption approximately four years ago, the pandemic has impacted our thinking from when we first started out and certainly our priorities. During the presentation tonight, the administrative group… will provide an overview of where we have been and where we are going. … We aim to inspire all students to think, to learn and to care.”
A PowerPoint presentation shared on screen began with the chairperson of the 21st Century Learning Team, ORR Junior High Principal Silas Coellner, who welcomed the new members of the team before diving into the presentation.
“If we provide all students with life and career skills… by integrating these skills into a rigorous and relevant curriculum and create a school-district environment that broadens our students’ leadership skills, understanding and appreciation of multiculturalism, diversity and global awareness by building relationships to establish a broader worldwide network, then we will have provided our Tri-Town students with 21st-century academic skills, strengthened their social and emotional competencies and prepared them to be engaged global citizens,” Coellner read.
Strategic initiatives included core subjects, life and career skills, learning and innovation and technology. Coellner explained the expected outcomes from each category and how they are integrated into the curriculum, followed by a more in-depth breakdown. This included discussion of classroom and one-on-one devices such as display boards and laptops, as well as behavior-reporting systems and updated security measures, including cameras, alarms and ALICE (active-shooter response) training.
The committee then opened the floor for nominations of this year’s chairperson. Sharon Hartley was nominated and reelected unanimously as union-side chair. Cristin Cowles was nominated for the position of vice chair and also elected unanimously.
The committee moved into executive session, after which it returned only to adjourn.
The next meeting of the Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55 is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2023, in person at the Media Room of the Junior High School and accessible via Zoom.
ORR Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55
By Jack MC Staier
