UPDATED: School Committee to Discuss Budgets and Principal Searches; Denies ORCA a Spot on Agenda

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.) – Monday's School Committee meeting has been moved from the TV production classroom to the Medfield High School cafeteria.

The Medfield School Committee is expected to open Monday's meeting with a discussion on the current status of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 and preparations for the budget mailer that will go out to residents in advance of April's annual town meeting.

The committee will follow that discussion with an update of the fiscal year 2012 budget, provided by Maguire and Charles Kellner, Medfield Schools Director of Finance and Operations.

Maguire is expected to provide an update on the principal searches taking place for the and Schools and there will be a presentation on the district's technology plan.

At the conclusion of the scheduled agenda, the school committee will hold public participation and it is expected that members from the _ and others from the Medfield lacrosse community will be in attendance to publicly protest the school administration's decision not to renew the contract of boys' lacrosse coach Bob Aronson for the 2012 season.

ORCA had formally requested through a letter to the school committee on Feb. 27 it be included in Monday's agenda to formally discuss with members the administration's decision regarding Aronson.

School Committee chair Susan Ruzzo in conjunction with Maguire, denied that request in a letter to ORCA on Feb. 28 after determining it was contrary to the legal role of the committee. Ruzzo stated in the letter that the decision to hire high school coaches is made by the principal of Medfield High School, Robert Parga and not the school committee.

Ruzzo writes: "In this instance, [Parga] made his decision with respect to the boys' varsity lacrosse coach and his decision was reviewed and approved by the superintendent of schools. Under the law, the school committee does not have the authority to review decisions related to the hiring of athletic coaches and we have communicated this publicly. ... The school committee has repeatedly stated that it stands behind the decision of the principal and superintendent in this matter. At this point in time, it would not only be contrary to law, it would be inappropriate to convene a group of individuals to second-guess the principal's decision and perpetuate this matter."

Maguire told Medfield Patch Monday afternoon the fundamental issue with ORCA's request – and why it was denied – comes down to the school committee's legal role in dealing with personnel matters.

"It was something that Susan [Ruzzo] believed when looking at it that the request would be contrary to law," Maguire said. ... "I think for the committee to actually schedule something on to their agenda that appears to be contrary to their legal role and responsibility is very difficult for them to do."

Maguire said while ORCA's request was denied; the school committee does schedule public participation at every meeting.

"There’s still an open forum on every school committee agenda that is intended to allow people to rise on any issue they might have a concern on," Maguire said.

At the Feb. 13 school committee meeting, over 40 residents, including former and current Medfield lacrosse players were present to publicly voice support for Aronson and ask the administration reconsider its decision. After both Maguire and the school committee denied that request, ORCA was formed in an effort to bring Aronson back.

Monday's School Committee meeting is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on _Medfield.TV. _