Vote Medford 2007

Attenazio: (Q1) Transparency of Decision-Making

In terms of re-districting, discussions regarding the purpose of it should be discussed openly in SC meetings and provide Open Forums for public input and comment. Regarding hiring of teachers, this is an administrative matter delegated to the Superintendent. Ed Reform laws outline how this administrative matter is be site based and typically managed by building Principals.

The SC can provide some guidance or discussion on how they might like to see that handled, but, technically, this is not in their purview. The purview of the SC is in governance, policy and fiduciary matters.

Attenazio: (Q2) Individualized Education for Above-Grade-Level Students

First, students with LD or any other disability are not issued IEP’s to optimize their ed experiences, but to address those obstacles or disabilities that impede their ability to access the general curriculum and be able to learn the same subjects as their peers. This process is governed by law only for those students assessed and determined to have a disability. The laws in special education are designed to “level the playing field” for students with disabilities, not to give something extra for them to get ahead or have some advantage over any other student.

Secondly, there is nothing that would prohibit a district from developing education plans for any and all students, but that typically is the coursework or the general curriculum the district provides to meet the DOE Curriculum Frameworks.

Attenazio: (Q3) School Choice with Uniform Quality in Elementary Schools

The district should have articulated standards for each grade that connects to the next. These standards should be publicly available through the district website or as handouts to parents by grade at Open Houses. Some districts have these posted on their websites and parents can view them. These standards show what will be taught by grade and what a student should know as they exit that grade.

The district can help to strengthen the schools by having strong school councils that are meaningful in their participation and discourse. Each school develops an annual performance plan per Ed Reform law and these reports should also be made publicly available to parents and citizens so they have the information they need to determine their school choice.

Attenazio: (Q4) Overcoming Financial Constraints

Generally, the property tax is very limited in funding public schools properly. The typical town budget is not often able to adjust to growing populations or increased costs such as utilities and health insurance premiums. Funding is adequate, but no means a guarantee of a high-quality education. High quality education requires teachers to be paid at a living wage, and classroom sizes need to be smaller than they are now. The district and town determines if these are values they wish to support and fund.

There are some private education grant sources, DOE grants, USDOE grants and sources, including businesses which can provide additional financial resources for expanded opportunities in some creative areas. Some grants fund innovative teacher programs above and beyond the curriculum, some provide for after school programs, and some provide after school tutoring or enrichment opportunities.

Fundraisers can be targeted for specific programs. In one community, Asian American families do fundraising to bring in Chinese as a language in the schools. In another, a local education foundation provides a grant each year to a district to support a disability awareness program.

Attenazio: (Q5) Expansion of After-School Programs for All Students

One SC member alone cannot personally act without authorization or vote from the SC, unless they are acting as a volunteer or citizen. Personally, I would recommend the SC do a poll of families to find out what they are looking for or what they would like to see available to their children in after-school programs. Then I would recommend that each member research 1or 2 of these goals or ideas and bring the research findings to the SC to discuss, deliberate and vote on the next steps.

Attenazio: (Q6) Arts Education: Funding, Staffing, Quality, Diversity

The school could use more funding and they need teachers to teach this. However, there is a need to expand, but at the same time, there’s not enough time during the day given math, English, science, so the the schools have been trying to supplement this by adding field trips, after school programs, etc. From my understanding, the resources from 2002 have not caught up with state aid.

Attenazio: (Q7) Fostering a Hate-Free, Supportive Environment

There are very good programs at the state level that could be invited to the district to provide presentations on topics like bullying and harassment, discrimination, etc (We actually held a forum a couple of weeks ago at city hall about this). The Attorney General’s office has excellent resources for cyber-bulling, bullying and harassment, in general, and strong civil rights programs that are made available to districts at no charge.

The Anti-Defamation League also has strong programs available to districts which also includes a disability awareness training curriculum. Disability is a significant component to the discussion on Diversity given that in this country today, 1 in 5 people in this country will live with a disability for some time in their lifetime. The ADL also has a program to designate communities as “No Place for Hate” that the town could review and incorporate.

Attenazio: (Q8) Leadership to Improve Quality of Education

The SC needs to set concrete goals and objectives each year that move the district forward in key educational matters and report on that progress each year. MCAS scores need to be reviewed to determine where relative weaknesses may be and assign Task Forces to more fully determine where things could be improved and strengthened. Graduation and drop out rates need to be evaluated, with perhaps exit interviews with Guidance to ask key questions on the student and parent perspective of what could be improved. The SC needs to acquire real data that pinpoints where any efforts should be expended.

Attenazio: (Q9) Green Initiatives

Some ideas…water conservation and rebates for Energy Star products to citizens. Expanded recycling options during trash collection days. Working with Water Dept., DPW, etc. to determine other ideas and to check with neighboring towns for fresh ideas and perspectives. I also like the idea of the wind turbine.

Attenazio: (Q10) Nutrition and Activity Against Obesity

First, we now should have a Health/Nutrition Policy that was directed by the state in the past two years. This should be reviewed to see if it is current and relevant. If it is not on the books, the SC needs to provide policy on that. Physical education is still required in our schools at some levels. Reviewing schedules at middle and high schools might open up expanded opportunities, but again this would be budget driven in many instances because it would impact staffing.

The district can provide nutrition focused newsletters generated by school nurses, the schools or PTO’s to get the information out to families. In these communications, further reading or internet resources should be shared. The district should also dedicate a Nutrition page on the district website.