Politics & Government

Meeting Notes: Maguire Announces Administration Changes in School District

Medfield Superintendent of Schools Bob Maguire announced the appointment of Kim Cave to the district's Director of Curriculum and Assessment and Arlene Argir as interim principal of Dale Street School.

Medfield Superintendent of Schools, Bob Maguire, announced at Monday’s School Committee meeting two administrative changes in the district.

Current principal Kim Cave will accept the district’s director of curriculum and assessment position, vacated by Pamela Shufro, who retired prior to the start of this academic year.

Arlene Argir, who has 32 years of experience as a teacher and principal in the Ashland Public School system, will replace Cave as interim principal on Oct. 31, according to Maguire. Argir retired from the Ashland Public School system this past June.

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Maguire said the Dale Street School principal position is expected to be advertised the week of Nov. 28 with a closing date of Dec. 30. The hope is to have the position filled by Jan. 30.

Chinese Exchange Program Discussed

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Medfield teacher Hong Li shared with the Medfield School Committee Monday her role in the district’s Chinese Exchange program: teaching the Chinese language and culture to middle school and high school students.

Li will teach a Mandarin course to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Blake Middle School as well as high school students and will focus on the pronunciation of the Chinese characters.

Li said her course will consist of quizzes, tests and projects that teach about the Chinese culture, “express the sound of the Chinese language,” and write Chinese characters. Extra help will be provided to students who need it after school, according to Li and the classes will move at a “suitable pace” for the students with plenty of review sessions being provided.

Maguire said in related news to the Chinese Exchange program, the district received $11,000 from the Confucius Classroom Grant and a grant for $30,000 is still pending. This grant assists in the cost for travel and other expenses of the program as the school budget does not pay for the program’s costs.

On October 20th, nine students and two teachers from Blake Middle School and Medfield High School will travel to Bengbu, China for three weeks as part of the return trip in the exchange program. Maguire said plans for that trip are being finalized and students are “very excited.”

Workshop on Ethics Law Being Offered

The Town of Medfield is offering boards and committees an ethics law workshop on Sept. 22. The workshop is not mandatory and is meant for those interested to learn more about ethics law in a town setting.

FY12 Budget Update

"Frankly, it's early, but things seem to be on course," said Charles Kellner, Director of Finance and Operations. "Hiring is complete and we seem to have remained in budget there. At least at the early part of the school year, things look great. Hopefully I can say that as the year goes on."

Other Notes:

  • Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement from 2011-2014 was ratified at Monday's meeting by the School Committee.
  • Evan Berry, student representative to the school committee was introduced an welcomed at Monday's meeting.
  • Maguire thanked each school's administration and staff for a "smooth opening" on Aug. 31.
  • Veterans' Memorial Committee is currently working to finish fundraising efforts to construct a memorial plaque for Korean War veterans, similiar to the World War II memorial plaque outside of Dale Street Schol. The goal, according to Maguire is to have the plaque unveiled during a service on Veterans' Day this year.

Check Medfield Patch Tuesday for full stories on the district's administration changes and Chinese Exchange Program.


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