7 Things You Missed at School Committee

If you missed the June 8 meeting, here are some of the highlights:

1. Dr. Joseph Sawyer recommended the School Committee appoint Mary Beth Banios as the new assistant superintendent. Banios is currently the assistant superintendent in Maynard. Banios has previously worked in Shrewsbury as the assistant principal at Floral Street School and as the principal at Spring Street School, said Sawyer. The School Committee voted to appoint Banios and the motion passed unanimously, without debate or discussion.

2. Coordinator of Volunteer Services Elizabeth McCollum reported on the volunteer initiatives and activities this past year. Avalon Bay Communities and Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union each donated $7,500 to fund McCollum’s position, one she has held for five years. Sawyer said McCollum’s role has benefitted the district well beyond the initial investment. Activities such as the annual Shrewsbury Road Scholars 5K Fun Run and the upcoming Celebration in the Garden Party (June 11) were highlighted, as well as events involving outside speakers, such as the Northeastern University’s STEM Re-SEED program (Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations).

3. Judy DeFalco, lead nurse and Pamela Johnson, high school nurse, reported on the district’s nursing services from the past year. DeFalco reported that there were 37,682 student visits to the schools’ health offices this past year, with a return to class rate of 92 percent. There were 1,114 staff visits. School Committee member Dr. Dale Magee commented that the nursing department is a “remarkably productive group.”

4. The School Committee heard the second reading of the proposed amendment agreement with the Assabet Valley Collaborative. The amended agreement, which had not been revised since 1988, was voted upon and approved unanimously, without debate.

5. The School Committee, Thomas Kennedy, director of human resources, and Sawyer recognized the eight faculty members who are retiring this year. Kennedy said the eight members averaged 34 years of service in education. The retiring faculty members recognized were: Jean Dewar, Elisa LaChance, Jean Lalone, Kenneth Largess, Paula Leva, Carla Mack, Marjorie Potash and Marion Tauras.

Sawyer proposed that the large gathering space at the front of , known as The Commons, be dedicated and named after Largess, who has worked in the Shrewsbury district for 39 years, 30 of which in the role of assistant principal of Shrewsbury High School. The School Committee voted, and the motion carried unanimously without debate.

6. Sawyer announced that Greg Nevader, presently the director of the guidance department at SHS, will assume the position of interim assistant principal at Shrewsbury High School for the 2011-2012 school year.

7. School Committee members thanked departing Assistant Superintendent James Cummings, who will be assuming the superintendent position in Grafton in July. School Committee member Erin Canzano said, “You have made everyone better, around you. They [Grafton] are getting a gem.”