by Frank Schroth

Several items and issues were discussed at last week’s School Committee meeting in addition to the teacher’s contract and cuts required to meet a budget request from the Warrant Committee. These include but were not limited to a discussion of including speech as a requirement for graduation, scheduled info night of kindergarten and first grade, and a restoration of personnel through the end of the fiscal year.

The discussion of making speech a requirement for graduation was part of a larger discussion on changes to the Program for Studies Booklet for the academic year 2014 – 2015. It was slightly unique in that all three student representatives to the school committee spoke in the issue and they all supported speech as a requirement. Among their comments were the following:

“[Speech] should be a requirement. These skills are going to follow us throughout our lives.”

“By using technology we are losing our public speaking skills.”

“Very few people know how to talk these days.”

“I just mumble my words. There are kids like me who want to sit in a corner and not speak at all.”

Member Kelly agreed on the importance of speech and said it should be part of every course. However, she did not support making it a requirement. The vote to do so was 4-1 to instate speech as a graduation requirement.

The committee voted to reinstate two positions: a library aide and a custodian each for half a year. They were approved reductions in 2013. However the schools currently have 4 custodians out on long term absences. Asst Superintendent for Business Pavlicek was able to find the funds to cover the cost through the end of the year (i.e. $13,000 or the library aide and $24,000 for the custodian).

It was noted that these would need to be funded going forward and that they were included in the FY15 budget. The committee voted 4-1 to approve with Member Kelly voting against.