Vote Medford 2007

Skerry: (Q11) Three Ideas to Enhance Community & Parental Involvement

Refer to question 3. Also: Each school may have its own style but parents must always be welcome as partners.

Volunteerism in classrooms is something that should not be seen as either negative or beneficial in every instance. There needs to be a balance between helping and interference.

There are many ways for parents to help the school and their children. Including:

• Participate in the Homefront Initiative. Make sure that your child gets a nights sleep, eats properly, comes to school regularly and is prepared.
• Communicate with your child’s teacher regarding the progress of your child.
• Participate in field trips and on special events at the school
• Help fundraise to support special events or to bolster the schools overall resources
• Help with other parents who may not be as available or may require special assistance.
• Serve as a guest resource to your child’s classroom when appropriate

  Parents play an important role in the education of children. They are also essential partners for schools. Each school should encourage responsible involvement of parent and provide meaningful opportunities for involvement.

Skerry: (Q12) Three Changes To Improve District's Hiring Practices

Medford has attracted and retained many highly qualified professionals. When interviewing prospective faculty Medford offers many advantages such as:

• Competitive pay scale
• Quality benefits
• Accessible location near Boston
• District Based Licensure program
• Mentoring program
• New schools K-8
• Diverse student population

Medford has made significant affirmative action hires in recent years including Principals and a Language Arts Director. Medford held an Affirmative Action Job Fair as well. However we still need to identify and hire more faculty that is representative of our student population.

We will need to do more outreach. However, recruiting faculty from out of state has not worked well since many leave and return home after a short period.

Skerry: (Q13) Recognizing Religious Holidays Fairly

Yes. Religious holidays are respected for all students and faculty. The decision of which to hold school is based upon the numbers of students affected by the holiday.

In our community most students would take off Good Friday and then attendance would be poor. Therefore we schedule it as a day off. Very few students will take Passover off therefore it in not a day off for all. However, faculty has been instructed not to give tests of other major assessments on such days where students taking the day will be affected. No one is to be penalized for taking an appropriate religious holiday.

As our community grows more diverse there will be many different religious affiliations. The schools system will respect al religious and not favor one over the other. Decisions on the school calendar will be made for practical reasons.

The role of religion in the history of the world is significant. We will treat religion as an important part of the human experience but the various observances will be viewed from a cultural rather than a religious holiday.

Skerry: (Q14) Strategies Against Classroom Overcrowding

Class size in Medford is very good. Overall it is among the best in the state.

Currently (07-08) class size in the elementary schools is approximately 19-20 per class.

Class size remains good at the middle and high school as well compared to other area school systems.

There are several smaller classes for specialty classes that have been preserved despite budgetary constraints.

Occasionally there is a popular course or two that is larger than the average in the secondary schools.

Skerry: (Q15) Special Education: Strengthening IEP Teams & Improving Dispute Resolution

The Committee just hired a new Director of Pupil Services. It would be prudent to give her an opportunity to assess the situation and make recommendations.

Our goal is to have a quality process that identifies student needs and assigns services that are necessary and appropriate.

There will always be some disagreement. Hopefully they will be limited and quickly resolved at the local level.

School systems across the Commonwealth struggle with this process and differences of opinion between parents and providers. The goal is to be fair and provide a fee and appropriate education (FAPLE) to every special education child.

It will be important to development local programs and services that parents believe can help their children.

It will be important to ensure that special education has a strong budget backed by Federal/State funding as well as local funding.