Mansfield School Committee Roundup: Finnegan Memorial, Policy Updates and Chapter 70

Mansfield High School student Kristen Stark presented her senior project, which was dedicated to cystic fibrosis awareness in honor of her friend Fallon Finnegan. Finnegan died in 2010 of cystic fibrosis, a fatal disease which has no current cure. Stark's project involved awareness campaigns and fundraisers, culminating in her project for a memorial bench outside of the high school.The Mansfield School Committee approved a measure for the bench, pending a decision on the placement of the bench.

The Mansfield School Committee approved handbook policy changes from the Roland Green School, elementary schools, Qualters Middle School and the Mansfield High School 5-0. Issues of contention included MIAA drug and alcohol policies at the High School, attendance issues at both QMS and MHS, and fee issues.

Mansfield schools director of finance and operations Edward Vozzella said that Town Accountant John Stanbrook's estimates of chapter 70 funding from the state's school budget was only off by $1,500, and that outlooks for state funding were more or less on target, considering the estimate was less than a percent off.

The school committee gave their six month update evaluation for superintendent of Mansfield schools Brenda Hodges. Most scores were overall positive.

The committee voted 5-0 to not participate in a School Choice program that would allow other participating schools to transfer students to the Mansfield district.

Superintendent of schools Brenda Hodges said that QMS special education teacher Al Ani, MHS science teacher Allen Lee and Jordan Jackson adjustment counselor Diane Mowgli were retiring from their positions. She added that Hosh Thurston resigned to move on to another school.

The committee voted 5-0 to support an initiative from the BiCounty Collaborative group to help increase attendance at board meetings. The collaborative consists of superintendents from various participating districts. The initiative would make nonparticipating superintendents "inactive." The issue was brought up because the collaborative meetings were becoming lightly attended.

Students from QMS came in and presented their new project which detailed pollution levels in the Rumford River through insect analysis.