by Frank Schroth

Assistant Superintendent John Phelan provided the school committee with updates on district enrollment and residency determination.

Phelan reported that the number of students enrolled as of meeting was 4,024. Since instituting the cap on French enrollment the breakdown is 52% French vs 48% English. Phelan said that the data proved there was more parity between programs that previously when French enrollment went as high as 66%. The schools have launched a STEM initiative (i.e. Science Technology, Engineering & Math) that has proven to be appealing to families. Phelan said, “I consider the cap a success. . . We have healthy numbers in every grade.

Phelan also spoke to the current status of residency (ie the requirement that a student who attends school live in town). The issue came up some years ago  at Town Meeting. Superintendent Gormley listened and tasked Phelan with addressing the issue. There is now a residency coordinator and there are 2 stipended police officers working on identification of out of town students and verification at a cost of ~$62,000.

 I think we have a dream team at the elementary schools.
– Becky Padera commenting on new elementary hires

Phelan said that the enrollment packet required of all students has  been tightened up and that the registration process is “being managed in a professional and thorough way.”  He reported that from 7/1/12 – 7/1/13 there had been 57 students excluded from the system (35 as the result of police investigation and 22 by other means). In addition 79 had been investigated but not excluded, 30 had been reinstated after being excluded, and 217 had to re-establish residency.

Currently (7/1/13 – present) there are 8 students that have been excluded and 11 are pending investigation. Phelan spoke to the care, sensitivity, and complexity of the issue and asked for patience from the public. He said residents with concerns could email residency@mitonps.org.

Other items and issues discussed included:

• Meeting the new administrative staff from the schools.
• Acknowledging Glenn Pavlicek who received a lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The formal presentation will be later in the school year.
• Mary Kelly, chair of the finance subcommittee,  said the school committee did not have enough time to meet the Warrant Committee’s request for a budget by 12/1 She cited the work done last year in building budget from the bottom up. She felt that was successful and that the process should be repeated this year but that it is a time intensive one. When she mentioned that it was budget time “again, ” Member Sheridan quipped, “It’s always budget time.”