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Summary 10/15/09

 

SUMMARY OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 15, 2009
 
            The School Committee Meeting began with the Superintendent’s Report. Mr. Antonucci introduced Tom Philbin from the Westwood Environmental Action Committee who updated the School Committee on the energy savings program that the Environmental Action Committee and NStar have been working on to replace the current lighting systems in the High School and Middle School with more energy efficient fixtures.   The cost of the project is $345,777 of which NStar has agreed to pay $226,927 with the remaining cost of the project ($118,850) being paid over the next two years by the saving generated in utility charges (estimated to be $62,445 per year).   After a discussion of the project, the School Committee voted to undertake the project since it would generate significant savings to the schools with two years.   Next, High School Language Arts teacher, Wayne Chatterton, made a presentation concerning the use of Web 2.0 in his AP Literature and Composition class and discussed his “Philosopher’s Facebook” project which was where Ancient Philosophers met modern technology in a very creative way.   
 
            The School Committee Meeting continued with Dr. Avalin Green presenting a report concerning the MCAS results for the Westwood Public Schools for tests taken in the Spring of 2009.    Westwood’s results were again very positive. The English Language Arts scores were still generally higher than the Math score as had been seen in previous years although this gap has been narrowing.   Overall, compared to previous years in thirteen of seventeen tests, the percentage of students who scored in the top two categories “Advanced” and “Proficient” increased.   In addition, a comparison was made with how Westwood’s results compared to other towns that we are frequently compared to and Westwood’s results were very favorable
 
            Next, Mr. Antonucci gave an update on the FY 2010 budget and a preview of the difficulties anticipated for the FY 2011 budget.   This presentation included information about potential areas where revenues received by the school have been or will be cut, including Chapter 70 funding, Medicare reimbursements and circuit breaker reimbursements.    Mr. Antonucci’s presentation will be available on the school website at www.westwood.k12.ma.us.    
 
            Finally, the School Committee voted to begin the process of updating the School Committee policy manual with the assistance of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and also voted to sign a revised TEC Collaborative agreement allowing Millis to join the collaborative.   
 
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2009 at the Westwood High School Little Theater.    
 
                                                            The Westwood School Committee