November 2018 Superintendent Monthly Memo

Dear Colleagues,

I hope your fall is going well! I have had the opportunity to be in all of the schools and look forward to visiting more classrooms.  I want to thank Colleen Trager, Grade 5 at BW for recently not only welcoming myself but the entire admin team and two of our Content Coordinators into her classroom to observe coaching from Patty Robie in real time.  We are so appreciative of you helping us to learn by making your learning public!

The month of October is Principals’ Month as many of you know! I know many of you already have but please join me in thanking the five amazing principals we are fortunate to have leading the schools in CBRSD.  Thank you to Aaron, Annie, Debbie, Kathy and MaryKay.

Also the summer/fall newsletter is available.  It is linked here and is available on the school website under the Superintendent’s Page. Please take some time to read about happenings in the district. The next issue will be out this winter.  If you have a suggested topic or something you would like to contribute please let me know. 

I have had my first request to provide coverage for a teacher in order for her to observe another colleague! The offer still remains for anyone who is in need of coverage for the same or a similar activity.

Stay Warm (sadly I already need to say that!)

Laurie

Professional Development Updates
Spinning PD is underway on Tuesdays at 3:30 at the CRA.  You do not have to spin to participate.  Also if you just want to spin we do have a few extra bikes.  The PD is a book study based on Elizabeth Stein’s Elevating Co-Teaching through UDL.

The next in district professional development date is Friday December 7th.  Leslie will be sending out the schedule for all staff.

Personnel Updates
With regret I have accepted the resignation of Mr. Brian Gilman, Grade 4 teacher at Craneville Elementary School. Brian’s last day will be Wednesday October 31st.  While we will certainly miss Brian as a member of our staff, we are happy for him as he has accepted a new teaching position in a location more convenient for his family.

Mrs. Gretchen West was unanimously appointed by the School Committee as the Director of Student Services.  Mrs. West will officially start in her role on Monday December 3, 2018.  I appreciate everyone who took the time to provide feedback as to our needs for a future Director.  This feedback will all be shared directly with Mrs. West.  I also want to thank Mrs. Stephanie Case who for the second time has served as our Interim Director.  Mrs. Case’s knowledge has provided for continuity of services and supports even during transitions between directors.

As many of you may be aware we are piloting a shared services agreement with Adams-Cheshire School District this year for a Director of Technology.  What this means is Rick White is on site in Adams-Cheshire 2 days a week. In his absence our Assistant Director of Technology Joe Stergis oversees the department.  To accommodate this change our technician, Traci Borden is a full time position.  We are continuing to dialogue with Adams-Cheshire as to how this is working to make a determination about continuation next year.

Budget Updates
The Technology Budget will be reviewed on Monday October 29, 2018 with the Technology Sub-Committee of the School Committee.

The Preliminary Budget will be presented to the Finance Sub-Committee of the School Committee in December.

The Superintendent’s Budget will be officially presented to the full School Committee on January 10, 2019.  After it is presented it becomes the School Committee’s budget until it is formally adopted in March of 2019.  I will be attending a staff meeting in each school over the winter to go over the budget in detail.

Rural Aid-You may have heard in the news that CBRSD will be receiving Rural Aid.  CBRSD will receive $246,056 in Rural School Aid in FY19.  Senator Hinds championed the establishment of this new budget line item for the rural school districts across his Senate District, and is very excited that the funding is now ready to be disbursed by DESE.  DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley is coming to the Berkshires on Monday, Nov. 5 at 3pm to co-host a press conference with Senator Hinds announcing the FY19 Rural School Aid awards.  Sen. Hinds has requested to hold this press conference at Wahconah Regional High School where I will welcome them and both he and Commissioner Riley will speak. More details about the aid and ways it can assist in CBRSD will be shared as we learn more.  One of the purposes is to look at shared services.

Curriculum Assessment and Instruction Updates
The building principals presented the School Improvement Plans to the School Committee on October 25, 2018.  I have linked the presentations to this report for your information.  As you will see the goal areas align to inclusive practices: UDL, PBIS and SEL.

MSBA Update
On October 31, 2018 the MSBA will vote to approve the Preferred Schematic Report.  This is for the Massachusetts School Building Committee to approve the design of the building that has been voted on by the School Building Committee and School Committee.  This vote is not for the funding of the project.  That vote will take place in April of 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered:
I have not received any questions to date but will continue to check the link and respond if any are submitted.

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