Politics & Government
Medfield School Committee Report: Budget Updates and Spanish Trip Approved
A roundup of news and notes from May 16 School Committee meeting held at Medfield High School.
The Medfield School Committee received good news regarding its fiscal year 2011 budget from Charles Kellner, director of finance and operations of Medfield Public Schools at its May 16 meeting.
Kellner said he is “more than reasonably comfortable” with the state of the budget with five weeks remaining before the end of the year.
"Each day that ticks off where I can say [there has been no considerable change to the budget] is a good day," said Kellner. "Having to deal with unknowns and surprises with only five weeks left in the year is different than if it happens with five or six months left in the year. If we are absent any major surprises at the end, things will be fine."
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Tim Bonfatti, committee chair, asked Kellner if this was a difficult budget to manage than last year and Kellner quickly responded, "yes."
"With the snow, the cold and we had a couple of special education expenses," Kellner said. "There were some challenges in managing this year's budget. The cooperation I receive in trying to manage a budget like this from others who manage departments and schools … without that I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
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FY12 Budget Update:
Bob Maguire, Medfield Superintendent of Schools, reported everything remains consistent at the "state level" with the fiscal year 2012 budget proposal.
"Senate passed a resolution on local aid, so it appears that all of that local aid portion of the budget has been solidified," Maguire said. "Their latest monthly receipts at the state level exceeded bench marks again so it doesn’t appear that between now and the end of the fiscal year that they’re anticipating anything that should make Medfield’s proposed budget any worse.”
Maguire pointed out the obvious issue still surrounding the proposed FY12 budget is Monday's Special Election, where the town will ask its residents to vote "yes" or "no" on a $500,000 operational budget override. Under the umbrella of $500,000 is a requested 3 percent increase in the school department's budget.
"Polls will be open all day that Monday up at the Senior Center and we encourage people to get out and vote," Maguire said. "Which I hope they vote and see them use their democratic right."
Spanish Trip Approved:
At the request of Medfield High School principal Judy Noble and the language content specialist, the School Committee approved the school's proposed trip to Spain in April of 2012.
"It is a trip that has been done several times over the past," Maguire said. "The reason they are trying to get it out there is they are trying to get some of their planning going and start conversations with parents."
Report from the High School Student Advisory Council:
- Freshmen Class: Student government made a survey asking the freshmen class what they would like to see happen in terms of events. The things that were most asked for were a scurry hockey tournament and sweat pants. For scurry hockey, student government planned the dates for June 8-9 and have it in the gym. The tournament will likely be made up of teams of eight. For the sweat pants, student government will likely do royal blue and down one side will say "Medfield" and down the other side will say "2014" and possibly the Warrior head symbol. Sweat pants will cost $25.
- Sophomore Class: They hypnotist, Steve Marino, who has visited Medfield High School twice now, has been booked as a sophomore class fundraiser. On a school-wide note, "Fun Fridays" will be starting, which is at the end of the year during reading periods, students can sign up to use the gym or certain rooms to play games in. It provides students with something else to do during that period instead of sitting in the room studying. It allows students to use the free time they have during the day and gives them a much needed boost of energy heading into the last few weeks of school.
- Junior Class: An update on the MHS Theatre Society and end of year review: Fall show was "First Lady"; Musical was "Once Upon a Mattress"; Senior directed one acts were done in the winter. Overall, the Society was very successful this year as it gained a lot of interest school-wide. Drama banquet was held May 13 and new officers were elected. The shows for next year have not been decided yet but it will follow the same format as this year: Fall show, Musical, Senior directed one acts. Also on May 13 was the student council sleepout for the homeless. From 5:30 to 10 p.m. student council was out along Main Street raising money for the Medway Homeless Shelter. Afterwards, student council sleeps outside near Town Hall in boxes and the event is typically "fairly successful."
- Senior Class: Wrapping up senior year: May 20 is the seniors' last day of school, with the exception for those who have to come back for finals or community service days. These days will replace attendance absences or tardiness and students involved get to choose their own community service projects. Tuesday, May 17 was Senior Tea, held at Hannah Adams' birthplace. The Hannah Adams Women's Society hosts the event at the house and is for all the senior girls.
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