Public School Leadership
October 8, 2004
Bridgewater
Raynham
Easton
East Bridgewater
West Bridgewater
Massachusetts
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Bridgewater-Raynham Schools
Massachusetts
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
On Tuesday, October 5th, the Curriculum Leadership Center, in conjunction with the Center for Public School Leadership, hosted a half-day program at Bridgewater State College.
Attendees from the Bridgewater-Raynham School District included: Superintendent Dr. Robert McIntyre, Asst. Supt. of Business George Guasconi, Asst. Supt. of Curriculum Diane Bemis, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Gay Yelle, and School Committee Members Joseph Gillis Jr. and Ursula Garfield.
The keynote speaker was scheduled to be Commissioner of Education David Driscoll. However, he was unable to attend. Juliane Dow, from the Commissioner's Office, did address the gathering. Since many of us had arranged our schedules to hear Mr. Driscoll, and his thoughts on MCAS, No Child Left Behind & Adequate Yearly Progress, and the Hancock case before the courts on school funding, his absence was noticed.
Bob White (West Bridgewater) and Margaret Frieswyk (Avon), School Superintendents spoke on the issues of School Choice. Avon has been involved in this for many years - predating its formal acceptance in 1993 - with 'tuition-in" programs for out of town students. Both School Systems have utilized the program to bring their classrooms to ideal numbers and accept funding for additional programs. In West Bridgewater for 2005, the estimate for grade 1 was for 76 students. They agreed that if the number of students was 84, that would still be an optimal number to be able to be evenly divided into classrooms. And, the addition of those eight students would bring the school district additional funds. For each class year, the goal number was determined, and by subtracting the estimated in-town enrollment, seats were declared available.
David Tobin of Mass Assoc. of School Superintendents put on a session about Alternate Sources for School Funding. There was discussion amongst the attendees on various initiatives by school districts to generate funds. Also, slides and handouts described many options to reduce expenses and/or increase revenues.
There were also sessions on Tier 2 Assessment and MCAS.
The Curriculum Leadership Center released its calendar for upcoming events.
November 18, 8:30-10am. Data Analysis and Planning for EQA, Tier 2 Assessment. At Bridgewater State College, East Campus Commons South Dining Room.
December 16, 8:30-10am. Leadership and Strategic Planning for EQA, Tier 2 Assessment. At Bridgewater State College, East Campus Commons South Dining Room.
February 17, 8:30-10am. MCAS and Curriculum Frameworks in the EQA Tier 2 Assessment. At Bridgewater State College, Moakley Center Room 135.
March 24, 8:30-10am. Promising Practices and Mini-grant Awards. At Bridgewater State College, East Campus Commons South Dining Room.
