Schools

School Administration Reorganization Could Reap Savings

In a meeting filled with music--and the singing of praises--the School Committee advanced a plan to reorganize senior administrative positions, a plan that will reduce salary expenses heading into fiscal year 2012.

The School Committee is backing a new organization that will shave salary expenses by eliminating some senior administrative positions, but will maintain or even enhance student services.

Superintendent Bob Tremblay presented the latest draft of his proposed organizational realignment Thursday, one that eliminates the positions of technology director and  assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services.

“The overall idea is to combine some positions and use in-house personnel where possible to get the same jobs accomplished for less,” said School Committee Chairman Paul Mazzuchelli.

Barbara Cataldo, who currently holds that assistant superintendent position, will . Instead of filling her position, the plan would split her duties between a director of special education and an assistant, Tremblay said. The change could result in $98,500 in savings in fiscal year 2012 and going forward.

The director could take responsibility for all special education programs in the upper grades, while the assistant could oversee the Milestones program and other special education efforts at the pre-school, kindergarten and primary grade levels. “That would create some flow and continuity in the oversight of those programs,” Tremblay said.

Tremblay emphasized that the new structure would keep a single person in charge of all special education programs, as required by state law.

The elimination of the technology director position is made possible in part by the hiring of Chief Technology Officer Rob Bonnell. The technology director would be replaced by two lower-level positions, one for the secondary grade levels and one for the elementary schools, which will be able to provide staff support and instruction on technology.

That change would net a savings of $37,000. “It looks to me like we’re able to save $37,000 while also putting two people capable of handing technology issues right into the schools to support what Rob is doing,” said School Committee member Patrick Holland.

The changes, which will continue to be refined and worked into future budgets, were presented during an unusual School Committee meeting that began with praise being heaped on outgoing member William Kingkade Jr., who chose not to run for re-election after nine years on the committee.

Kingkade was praised for his commitment to the students of Milford, while also maintaining a conservative fiscal approach. “You put students first and kept taxpayers in mind right along with them, and that showed in all your decisions,” said Mazzuchelli.

Other members said Kingkade’s willingness to take a public stand on difficult issues made him an effective advocate. Member Michael Walsh noted that Kingkade first ran for re-election long before he met his wife, Lisa, and started a family. Now that Kingkade’s son is about to start school in Milford, Christine Boyle said, “our loss is the school’s gain.”

Members also had some kind words for Mazzuchelli, whose one-year term as chairman came to a close. The committee will reorganize at its next meeting. 

Thursday's meeting was punctuated with a number of musical interludes, as the regular curriculum presentation focused on both the performance and classroom music programs. Students from elementary school through high school played drums, sang musical numbers and closed with a chamber music piece featuring several seniors who are heading to college in the fall.


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