Sue Flicop

We should always be open to exploring new innovations in education.  There are many ideas on how to improve education that would be interesting to pilot here in Newton.  With proper planning,  support, and review, we can evaluate which ones are helpful and sustainable over time.

One example to consider is the idea of expanded learning time (ELT).  I recently heard Chris Gabrieli, author of Time to Learn, talk about this subject, along with two staff people from a Framingham school with a longer school day.  It’s true that most of the schools that have an expanded day have very different concerns than we have here in Newton–issues like low graduation rates and low MCAS scores.  But Newton still does have challenges in the school system that might be addressed by having a longer school day.  It is worth exploring this idea and how it might be applied to a school in Newton.

It is important, though, when considering all these different ideas to be sure there is consensus in the particular school community among parents and staff to try a new program.  Additionally, resources needed for a pilot must not take away from those needed in other schools, and should be integrated into a long-range financial plan in order to ensure sustainability.

Now that the Board of Alderman has voted to approve the local hotel-motel tax but not the local restaurant tax, it is unclear whether or not the School Committee will have enough money to bond for four new modulars at Oak Hill, in addition to using the full $1.75 million for capital improvements.

In my opinion, the School Committee needs to more fully explore the possibility of adding two modulars at Oak Hill next year, while still planning and designing for four.  If the student projections remain the same, the second set of modulars could be purchased next year instead.  This might not be the most efficient method of meeting Oak Hill’s space needs–the numbers need to be run and presented before a decision is made.  This could be a pragmatic way to move forward with much of the original CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) list, while still working to solve the space crunch in the system.

As I watched the School Committee deliberate on how to spend $1.75 million in capital funds, I kept asking myself how I would vote if I were sitting at the table.

This is an extraordinarily difficult situation, though quite simple to explain:  there simply isn’t enough money to pay for the capital projects the School Committee would like to undertake this year.  This means that some projects need to be put on hold–the question is how to determine which ones.  Among the choices were:  roof improvements; new second boilers; new windows and doors at an elementary school; an elevator in an elementary school; and four new modulars for a middle school.

There was an extensive discussion that addressed many alternatives and needs.  The only area I would have like to see explored was the possibility of adding only two modulars at Oak Hill next year, followed by two the following year.  While this would not be the most cost-efficient method for design and construction, these inefficiencies might be offset by the ability to continue to move forward with other projects.  I’m not suggesting this is the way to go, but it is another alternative that could have been evaluated.

In the end, the argument that made the most sense to me was to focus on the items that would have a substantial impact on the educational program–the ones that would lead to significant impact on education if they weren’t done now.   To me, this includes the roofs, the elevator, and the modulars.  Clearly, a roof failure could mean a class or classes need to shut down or be moved until repair can be done.  This could also mean a substantial repair expense–far more than a proactive repair would cost today.  The elevator is a no-brainer–it not only means giving all students the ability to move easily around the school, but also it gives them dignity and self-sufficiency.

The Oak Hill modulars are necessary because in September, 2010, a large cohort of students begins entering the school, causing a space crunch.   Not enough space leads to large team sizes (predicted to be greater than 100 students) which will substantially affect students’ education.

I forsaw the Oak Hill space situation  several years ago when Bowen and other Oak Hill feeder schools were struggling with increases in student population.  However, without a comprehensive capital plan that includes both municipal and school needs, it is impossible to properly plan for and meet the capital needs and the associated financing necessary to avoid these difficult situations.

Unfortunately the current funding difficulties require placing the needs of one school over the needs of another, and in the end no decision satisfies everyone.

FYI…clips of me on Laurie Mokriski’s show, The Local View, will be available on this website shortly.

In the meantime, I was recently on Ken Parker’s show, Common Ground.  This show is on the Blue Channel, on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and midnight, as well as Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 6:30 p.m., Mondays at 5:30 am and 1:30 p.m., and Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

Look for me soon on Tom Sheff’s show, debating my opponent!  I’ll have the schedule up soon. 

I’ll be on Ken Parker’s show, Common Ground, on Thursday evening, July 16th from 8 to 9 p.m.  Be sure to check it out!

Over the summer, I’ve been getting caught up on reading the pile of articles and assorted materials on my desk.  Today I (finally!) read the May 2009 report from the Special Commission on Municipal Relief from the State House and found it filled with both big and small ways to help cities and towns across Massachusetts be more fiscally sound.

Regarding education, the Commission basically made three recommendations.  The first is to look at and possibly change some of the reporting requirements that the State has.  According to the report, there are over 120 reporting requirements, “a new report every 1.5 school days.”  We’ve all heard about the reports, but the numbers really bring home the burden to communities.  By paring down the reports needed, more time can be spent working directly to improve education.  At the same time, there seems to be a lot of data available–just wondering if some of it can be used to help with internal assessments.

The second area is regarding Special Education.  Within this area, the Commission proposes several interesting changes, including:  changing the way communities are reimbursed for medical expenses they need to provide students; and asking the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a set of “best practices for the purposes of providing quality, cost effective special education services.”  This would certainly align with the new study commissioned by the School Committee to evaluate our Special Education program and determine how to do things more effectively and efficiently.

The third area is one in which Newton has already been talking about and working on:  coordinating services with the municipal side and/or with other communities.  This is an interesting area to look at for budget efficiencies, and it is helpful to know that the State seems willing to assist.

For a look at the report, click here:  Special Commission on Municipal Relief, May 2009

Laurie Mokriski’s NewTV show, “The Local View,” features a debate between my opponent and myself for the Ward 7 School Committee seat.  It will air this Monday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. on the  Blue Channel, Comcast channel 10, RCN channel 15, Verizon channel 34.  Be sure to check it out!

Apologies for my absence to those who are following my blog!  I was overwhelmed by the avalanche of recitals, portfolio viewings, and other end-of-the-year school activities, not to mention all those meetings that need to be “fit in” before the end of the school year.

In reviewing all the interesting meetings I went to in the last half of June, I realized that I have spent a great deal of time thinking about my visit with Neil Bernstein, a School Committee member in Swampscott.   Neil has been the driving force in bringing long-range financial planning to Swampscott Public Schools (SPS), and is an avid ambassador for extending this to other school systems.

Two years ago, SPS had a year-to-year budget, just as Newton does now.   However, SPS did not have actual budget updates, accurate numbers, or a line item budget.   Newton, with a far larger budget, does have accurate and regular reporting on the budget, and is therefore starting off in a much better position to develop a long-range system.   It will still require a great deal of work, especially since Newton’s budget is so much larger.

One appealing aspect of the SPS system is its complete openness.  There is a line item in the on-line budget for each staff person, making any proposed cuts very visible and, in a sense, personal.   Everyone, including the parents, teachers, union representatives, and administrators can see exactly how much each person costs the system, and can determine how any increases (COLA and other contractual increases as well) will affect the school budget.

I’m sure that many of you have wondered like I have, if it is possible for someone to tell from Newton Public Schools’ proposed budget line items how much of a COLA increase is included in school budgets, especially during the years when a contract is still under negotiation.  It is such a complex figure–I haven’t been able to do it, but it is possible that someone might.  This year was unusual in that the Superintendent made clear that there were no increases for COLA in the FY2010 budget.

Budget openness in Newton that is similar to Swampscott’s, with a staff that includes about 1000 teachers, would lead to an incredibly cumbersome spreadsheet for the public (and the staff) to maneuver.  One issue, then, is how to bring a similar openness to Newton’s budget and still make it manageable and useful.  I think that this will be a work in progress over the next year.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday night, July 12th from 7 to 8:30 p.m! I will be debating with my opponent at the Newton Corner Branch Library, 126 Vernon Street (corner of Vernon and Centre Streets).  This event is sponsored by the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association and is open to the public, so plan on joining us.  Martina Jackson, co-chair of the Newton Democratic City Committee, will be moderating this event.

There is a lot of discussion about early release days here in Newton and whether or not they are worthwhile.  I’ve heard several comments lately from parents that the teachers don’t find them useful–but at least one teacher I know felt the opposite way.  Add to this conflicting information the idea that in-classroom professional development is more effective since it helps teachers while they are actually teaching.  So what do we do now?

First, I like the idea of a teacher survey that gets some in-depth information about professional development.   There may be differences among teachers about what method they find most useful; these could fall into categories by level of experience, subject area, elementary/secondary, etc. We can use this information to help determine what is the best combination of methods to provide effective professional development efficiently.  We might find that some changes need to be made in our current system that would be beneficial to all.

Second, I think we need to be sure there is accountability for early release days.  Since these days are written in the contract, we have every right to know what happens and how this learning helps our children.  Families make sacrifices to support the early release days (either time off from work, more after-school program expenses, etc.) and should feel assured that the time is well worth the extra effort.