School Committee Notebook

We asked, and you answered. Here are the notes from last night's School Committee meeting in order from what you care about the most according to yesterday's .

#1 High School Building Project Update
Since the School Committee last met, there have been no major changes. However, Superintendent Dr. Patricia Ansay met with Norton High School principal Raymond Dewar and about a half dozen engineers met and reviewed classroom designs.

According to Dewar, architects also sought input from high school faculty on what they’d like to see.

Comments were sent to the project manager.

#2 Budget Discussion

The operating budget of Norton Public Schools for fiscal year 2012 was $22.5 million. So far, $5.1 million has been spent. There is $1.2 million in unencumbered funds left.

"About half of that sits in tuitions," said Barry Nectow, director of operations and finance at Norton Public Schools.

The rest is encumbered.

Encumbered funds describe assets that are subject to one or more liens. That is, encumbered securities belong to one person or entity but are subject to a claim by another. Encumbered securities or assets may not be sold until the lien or debt on them is satisfied.

Encumbered lien items include equipment maintenance and supplies for custodial staff.

"We expect to fully spend the budget by the end of June," Nectow said.

"There are a couple of variables that I'm keeping my eye on and will periodically update you on," Nectow said. "First of all is the heating. The heating lien to date has been fully encumbered but could change. We'll see how it goes. If it's really cold, we may have to transfer money to the account to continue to heat the building."

He also noted that this could go the other way, especially if weather continues to be as mild as it's been this month.

See the attached PDF for the full budget breakdown.

Meetings are now taking place to work through requests of the fiscal year 2013 budget.

#3 Superintendent Search Committee Update
The first meeting will be held Dec. 12. In the meantime, the School Committee will review the qualifications they are looking for.

“Basically one of the key things to me that I’m looking for in the next superintendent is somebody that can continue to bring us forward into the future with different approaches to things,” said School Committee member Andrew Mackie.

#4 Opening of Norton High School Report
The focus in the opening of report was on the MCAS, SAT and AP test results and trends.

For the past several years, the high school has met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals in all MCAS subjects, and this year was no exception. In English, the target aggregate performance indicator was 95.1. NHS scored a 98.3. Sixty one percent of students were placed in the proficient category. In mathematics, the target was 92.2, while Norton scored a 95.7. Fifty nine percent scored in the advanced category. While there is no target for biology, 30 percent of students placed in the advanced category, while 54 percent scored as proficient.

“I try not to make a big hoopla [out of the scores],” said high school principal Raymond Dewar. “Last year we were in the top 15 percent in the state, but these things tend to be cyclical.”

High math scores were attributed to the double math courses in the middle school.

“We’re only as strong as the district is,” Dewar said.

In the SATs, Norton High School scores were slightly below the state average and slightly above the national average. In critical reading, Norton scored 514. In mathematics, the average was 517. In writing, the average score was 507. These scores are down from last year, 522, 527 and 506 respectively.

Teachers plan to address this by emphasizing SAT questions in assignments starting in students’ junior year.

Because the AP program is no longer exclusive, the number of tests taken increased from 188 in 2010 to 290 this year, which contributed to a lower percentage of students scoring a 3 or better (63.8 percent). Last year, 76 percent of the 188 AP test takers scored 3 or higher. This is based on a scale from 1 to 5.

This year, there are 390 enrollments in AP courses.

#5 Superintendent Academic Excellence Award

Elizabeth LaVerghetta was chosen as the recipient of the award. To read the letter of recomendation from guidance counselor Donald Rita, click .

#6 Massachusetts Association of Student Council Conference
The Massachusetts Association of Student Council Conference will be held March 7 - 9 in Hyannis.

In addition to listening to speeches and participating in workshops meant to train attendees in areas of leadership, students will also have the chance to network with students from other schools.

“The conference is absolutely wonderful,” said Student Council president Sara Pisdadian. “It not only makes your school a better place, but you yourself a better leader.”

Members write a letter of intent and 12 to 14 students will be chosen to represent Norton. There will be one or two chaperones joining them.

“Everyone is accounted for at all times,” Pisdadian said.

#7 DECA Update
DECA, a high school organization meant to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, hosted the second annual Evening of Parties last week.

“This year, monetary wise, we did a lot better than last year,” said student Evan DaSilva.

To raise money DECA is also selling Lancer merchandise, such as knit hats for $15 (two for $25) and hooded sweatshirts for $25. To purchase these items, email Heather Albritton or Aaron Sumner.

The money will aid students moving on to DECA District Conference Jan. 5 and 6, then to the state competition in March.