SC Spotlight

Topics of the Hamilton Wenham Regional School Committee

February 2015

New MS and HS Schedules

At the January 8th school committee meeting Craig Hovey (MRMS Principal) and Eric Tracy
(HWRHS Principal) presented the results of the work completed by the Middle School and
High School Scheduling Task Forces. Their presentation materials can be found on the district
web site (1/8/15) meeting handouts; the presentation can be watched on HWCAM (1/8/15
school committee meeting).
The task forces were established in September 2014 with the objective of studying the benefits
and drawbacks of the current schedules, gathering information, surveying about needs and
interest, developing a team based schedule model at MRMS and working in concert with the
HWRHS task force to facilitate sharing of resources.
Highlights of MRMS Proposed New Schedule:
Creation of team structure for grades 6, 7, 8 (foreign language and integrated arts not tied
to grade level teams)
Implementation of common planning time
Add What I Need (WIN) block. This block will include active teaching that is planned
and structured by the team based on student needs and interests
Change from a 5 day to a 6 day rotating schedule
Add a third lunch block for grade level lunches
Restructure shared music staff to expand music offerings and more efficiently share staff
Highlights of HWRHS Proposed New Schedule:
5 Day rotation to provide more continuity; every class will meet 4 times per week
30 minute Power-block (backs up to 70 minute block for extended labs/classes)
Implementation of common planning time (by department or grade level, as needed)
No homeroom
Reduction from 3 to 2 lunches
There will be public information meetings about the new schedule. Dates for these meetings
have not yet been determined.

Background Checks/CORI Check

All school employees, including apprentices, interns, student teachers or individuals in similar
positions (including volunteers) in our district who may have direct and unmonitored contact
with children will be required to have a fingerprint-based Criminal History Record Information
(CHRI) check. Governor Patrick signed this into law in January 2013. The leadership team will
develop procedures surrounding implementation of this policy, including how the costs
associated with this check will be covered. This CHRI check is in addition to the Criminal
Offender Record Information (CORI) and other criminal history checks are also part of a
general background check for employment, volunteer work, and licensing purposes.
The Background Checks and DCJIS Model CORI Policies were adopted at the 1/22/15 meeting
of the HWRSC and are available on the district web site.

Gordon College

Eric Tracy joined the committee at the 1/8/15 meeting of the school committee to present
students concerns related to holding HWRHS graduation at Gordon College Chapel. Concerns
have been raised about the letter signed by Gordon President, Dr. D. Michael Lindsay to
President Obama asking for an exemption from federal rules protecting LGBT individuals from
employment discrimination. Concerns were also raised about graduation in a church.
At the 1/22/15 meeting of the school committee as part of the Chairmans Report, it was
determined that the March 5th at 7 pm meeting of the school committee will be a public
discussion of the HWRSDs relationship with Gordon College. The entire meeting will be
devoted to discussion of this important topic.

Class Size Policy

The HWRSC is currently reviewing our class-size policy for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Our current policy was affirmed in 2009 by the policy set recommended guidelines. This policy
increased class sizes to 22-24 for Kindergarten through 5th grade, 24-28 for middle school, and
26-30 for high school with larger classes for areas such as music and physical education. This
policy sets a range for the maximum number of students in a class.
Currently, the Committee is considering a policy that would remove target ranges and provide
maximum flexibility to the administration to place students in classes of varying sizes.
The Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee recognizes that class size is an important
factor in a good education and is important to the community at large. As such, the Committee
invites comments from the community on this important policy at their meeting on March 19, at
the 7 pm in the Buker Multipurpose Room.

FY16 Budget Update

The budget process well underway with the School Committee scheduled to vote on its
recommended FY16 budget at its regular meeting on Thursday, February 12th. The committee
received presentations on: educational programming priority overlays (including tier 2 and tier
3 items), maintenance, custodial and facilities, technology, special education and athletics. The
committee also reviewed a 3-year financial model for the district. The tentative budget includes
funding for the Middle School team teaching model.
The complete details regarding the proposed budget and the recommendations as presented are
available at www.hwschools.net under the School Committee tab. See the handouts from the
January 22nd and February 4th regular meetings.

Legislative News

We have been following the status of the November 2014 cuts to state aid to regional
transportation (busing) and the Special Education circuit breaker funds for high needs
students. Governor Baker has decided to retain those cuts and unfortunately made a further cut
to the circuit breaker account. Remember, these cuts are to the current FY15 state budget, due
to a significant state budget shortfall. General state aid to education (Chapter 70) has not been
cut. In other news, the new two-year state legislative cycle is now officially underway on
Beacon Hill. A number of education bills have been filed by the mid-January deadline,
including some by our representatives. The new Governor is expected to present his FY16 state
budget by early March. Rep. Brad Hill will come to report on prospects for legislative action on
a number of fronts notably Special Education and changes to the Chapter 70 formula along
with an update on the FY16 state budget. Stay tuned for his visit at an upcoming regular School
Committee meeting in March.

School Committee Openings

Local election season is rolling around again, and nomination papers are now available in the
Superintendent's office for two available seats on the School Committee. Each term is three
years. The papers must be returned to the Superintendent's office with the signatures of at least
40 registered voters from either town. The deadline to return nomination papers is Friday,
February 27 at 4 pm
We welcome questions or comments, please contact us at: sc_communications@hwschools.net