Notes from the Superintendent's Monthly Meeting
Every month, PTOs from all schools participate in a meeting with Superintendent Bill Lupini. (Starting in November 2011, all School Council Chairs are also invited to those meetings.) At each meeting, special topics are presented from programs across the district, such as the World Language Program or Steps to Success. Updates on enrollment, budgets and building issues across the district are reviewed and PTOs are able to share information with each other, such as fundraising strategies, budget and communications. As a PTO we are committed to communication and transparency and will be summarizing these meetings and posting them here. Please feel free to follow up with any questions, comments or feedback to piercepto@gmail.com.
SUPERINTENDENT LUPINI UPDATE:
- Dr. Lupini will speak and answer questions at the March 9 community breakfast, 8 am in the Auditorium.
- The 2012-13 Budget: Dr. Lupini is working on next year's school budget, to be presented Feb. 16 to the School Committee. More information on this process can be found on the Administration and Finance page of the Public Schools of Brookline website. http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=188%3Aadministration-a-finance-budget&catid=38&Itemid=78
- The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has developed new legislation regarding educator evaluation. Brookline Schools are in the process of developing a system to meet these new requirements and this new system will be rolled out in 2013.
Summary of PTO/Superintendent January 2012 Meeting
- Parent Portal - The School Department has been piloting an electronic parent portal, called X2, at the High School that would provide access for students and parents to data such as progress reports, report cards, syllabi, attendance records and a unified access point for links to teacher platforms. Rollout will begin at the high school. They are exploring expansion to grades 6-8 in the future.
- Out-of-School Time Program ReviewA Program Review of all the 'out-of-school time' offerings was conducted (Extended Days, Enrichments, Rec, etc.) The report was recently completed highlighted many shortfalls and challenges across the districte and included a set of recommendations. These include: update vision and policies which includes review of priority setting and fee structure of building use, develop a unified scheduling and reservation system for buildings, create an advisory group with representatives from many different groups.
- "METCO Merits More" PresentationThe Pioneer Institute recently completed a comprehensive study of the METCO program. The report highlights Brookline's program in a positive way, especially important in the difficult budgetary times. The authors will present their findings to the School Committee on January 19 and it is open to the public.
Summary of PTO/Superintendent December 2011 Meeting
- A presentation from Jeanne Rintell, the coordinator of the Understanding Disabilities program, which provides educational programs and activities to fourth graders in each Brookline school. Parent volunteers coordinate with the district on the design and delivery of these programs. Kate Ewan, Nancy Leventhal and Jennfier Bruni are the Pierce parent team. More information about the program's curriculum is available online at http://www.understandingourdifferences.org/website/school-programs/.
- Peter Rowe, Deputy Superintendent for Administration and Finance, presented on the enrollment projections for the Brookline Public Schools. Over the last seven years the district has grown by 941 students, with Pierce alone adding 151 students in the same time frame, making Pierce the second largest K-8 school in the district (after Devotion). School department officials anticipate that this growth will continue along this trajectory. The School Department is initiating a number of projects to generate solutions to the space constraints created by increased enrolment, including a Buffer Zone Committee and a Capital Facilities subcommittee of the School Committee to explore the options available to the town. The Superintendent also reported that such an enrollment is not sustainable under the current operating budget, and that his office will also begin to explore ways to increase revenue in a more sustained manner.
- The Superintendent also distributed a revised copy of PTO funding guidelines, which set standards across the district as to how PTO funding can support each school. Those will be reviewed by a school committee subcommittee and a final version will be presented in January.
Summary of PTO/Superintendent November 2011 Meeting
- Two programs that are closely affiliated with the district presented: Steps to Success (a comprehensive school and community-based initiative that helps low income students succeed in school and make college a reality); and B-PEN - Brookline Parent Education Network, which provides parent resources for grades 6- 12. More information on both programs can be found at www.stepstosuccessbrookline.org or (B-Pen web site). We will provide links to both sites on at http://piercepto.weebly.com/other-links.html
- PTO Funding Guidelines: In an effort to have equity, transparency and clarity across PTOs at all schools, the group has been discussing appropriate guidelines for PTO spending. Currently, the guidelines from the Town are being updated. This conversation is helping us as we review our own budget expenditures and fundraising. Once these guidelines are presented to and approved by the School Committee, they will be posted on the website. In the meantime, Pierce PTO is finalizing its budget and reviewing its fundraising strategy. Be sure to join in the conversation - send an email to pierce.pto@gmail.com if you want your voice heard.
- PTO Insurance - Pierce PTO has purchased general liability insurance for this year. Previously, event insurance had been purchased for one-time events, such as the auction. This annual policy is more in line with recommendations from our attorney and consistent with the Town counsel’s recommendations.
