Members of the Milton School Committee again made a point of cautioning the public with regard to the upcoming school budget. Mr. Pavlicek was blunt saying that “scenario will be as gruesome as we have ever seen it.  . . .We [may need] to squeeze out $2 million once again – we could get less than zero (i.e. less than level funding for FY2011). It is  not at all clear what revenue picture will be. . . It is not going to be pleasant. It’s going to make it a very difficult year once again.”

Other highlights from the meeting include but were not limited to:

• Tucker Principal – Marcia Uretsky, Principal of the Tucker School, and Jenny Yoon, Tucker site council member and teacher, presented the Tucker School Improvement Plan. Tucker met their AYP in English Language Arts both in aggregate and all subgroups but did not in math. Math instruction is being increased by 15 minutes which did not impact any other classes as Yoon explained. There are also going to be a “Morning Math Masters’ program and a Saturday program for additional enrichment and instruction. Reader’s Workshop, a program in place at al elementary schools , will be extended aos all grade levels. Ms. Uretsky, who is new to Tucker this year, also outlined steps to improve communication within the school (the faculty) and outreach to parents and community.
• Tony Cichello addressed the Committee regarding the Consolidated Facilities proposal. Mr. Cichello is the chair of the Cosolidated Facilities Exploratory Committee which was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to evaluate the merits of consolidating all town maintenance function for all buildings and grounds into a single department whose director would report to the Superintendent (Mary Gormley) and Town Administrator (Kevin Mearn). Mr. Cichello is hopeful of having an article on the May Town Meeting Warrant that will move the initiative to the next phase: having Town Meeting approve the formation of such a department. Mr. Cichello sought the buy in of the School Committee without whose support this cannot work. The Committee expressed skepticism. The general feeling expressed was that the plan was not thoroughly fleshed out and vetted Mr. Lovely in particular voiced concerns on this point. “As a town Meeting member what am I voting for?” While voicing endoresment for the concept, Lovely also voiced concern shared by other members that the entire town (ie Library, Cemetary Trustees, Park Commission)  were not currently included. Ms. Sheridan and Mr. Huban also serve on the committee with Mr. Cichello.
• Ms. Gormley announced that Dore Kurschun, Principal of the Glover School and Jeff Rubin, Administrator of Pupil Personnel Services, will be retiring and leaving in June. She also reported in response to a question raised at an earlier meeting that 31 students have been put out for not meeting residency requirements.
• Ms. Kelly entered a motion to add a discussion of Mr. Huban’s recent arrest to the agenda. Members expressed sympathy for Mr. Huban and his family. Mr. Huban was arrested for driving under the influence on New Year’s day. Ms. Kelly voiced her opinion that Mr. Huban should resign. However, she did not make a motion requesting this as it was clear other members of the board, specifically, Mr. Lovely, Mr. Pavlicek, and Ms. Sheridan would not support such a motion.