10 Fast Facts from Last Night’s School Committee Meeting

1. Superintendent Marianne O’Connor explained how she makes the decision to close schools due to weather. She explained that the process begins around 4:45 a.m. and includes:

• Calls to town officials about the conditions of roads and sidewalks
• Discussions with superintendents of seven surrounding communities
• Occasionally sending her husband out to drive the roads

“It is not an easy decision,” she stressed.

2. The calendar includes 5 snow days. So far, the district has used 4 of them.

3. Parents of incoming kindergarten students were encouraged to watch Teaching from the Top on . O’Connor said she just completed recording a program with principal Patricia Berkey, guidance counselor Dana Catarius and kindergarten teacher Mary Beth Higgins. The program includes information on kindergarten registration, preparing a child for kindergarten, the screening process, placement decisions and school tours. To find out when the program runs, visit the .

4. Registration for kindergarten closes on Feb. 25. Questions can be directed to the central office at 508-836-7700.

5. On Feb. 15, freshman and sophomore girls at the high school will be attending an anti-bullying presentation specifically designed for young girls. Also on Feb. 15, the entire student body will be attending a similar program designed for the school’s age group.

6. O’Connor said that candidates for the Hastings School principal position were interviewed on Feb. 8 and 9. Five people were interviewed on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. She said that the potential principals will be visiting the school and spending time with faculty there. She also mentioned that a recent Westborough News Letter to the Editor erroneously suggested that the new principal would be serving the school along with Mrs. Berkey. O’Connor clarified that the two will not be overlapping in responsibility, as Mrs. Berkey will remain principal until her contract to do so is completed. At that time, the new principal will take over.

7. Dan Hendricks, Director of Business and Administration, reported that the snow has been removed from the roofs of all of the schools. He said additional work is yet to be done in snow removal at Hastings and . The snow has caused some leaks at and the high school due to clogging drains, he said. He added that those issues are being addressed.

8. School Committee member Stephen Doret expressed his concern with the recent introduction of a Fiscal Year 2012 Budget presented by Town Manager Jim Malloy at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday night (see ). He reminded those in attendance that the numbers offered for the School Department budget are not real numbers and do not include the deliberation that goes into the budget process. He said the number for the School Department budget will change and suggested that the possibility for an override cannot be dismissed.

9. Craig Harris said that he will not seek re-election for the School Committee.

10. Mill Pond School Parent Group President Linda Townsend went before the committee for approval of a Family Bingo Night, a fundraiser and community building event. She received unanimous approval from the committee. She said the event is planned for March 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and concessions.