School Committee Roundup: Jan. 24

The Mansfield School Committee heard a progress report and voted on a grant proposal from the commonwealth that was sent out on Tuesday that would, if approved by the state and accepted by the committee, give the Mansfield school system $60,000 towards establishing a full-day kindergarten program.

School finance director Edward Vozzella gave an update into the preliminary budget. Vozzella said that currently, the town and the school system have submitted their preliminary budgets, but the finance committee has not had a chance to review either. He said that there is a $2.3 million gap, and the school system is the primary item for that gap.

The committee approved the MHS concussion policy 4-0 with Michael Trowbridge absent.

The committee also discussed the problems coming up with the high school’s track repairs to commence this summer. The track will be out of service from May 25 to September. This will disrupt this year’s Relay for Life and summer camps, but bot have been moved to other locations.

Lori Letendre came in and discussed the first draft of the new communication survey that will, when approved and finalized, be sent out to parents to ask if they feel the new technologies applied in the school system are working. Letendre also discussed a new feature in the attendance notice system that digitally calls parents (on whatever number they prefer) when a student is absent.

Roland Green principal  Joanne Jordan came in and discussed with the school committee the current status of the school and a survey that compared and contrasted the preschool with other schools in the area. The committee approved a small increase in monthly tuition, the option of a lunch for an extra five dollars a day and the upgrade to a full-day option 4-0 wit Michael Trowbridge absent.

The committee also listened to two surveys comparing MHS’s athletic and transportation fees. With small exception, Mansfield was right in the middle when compared to other schools’ fees, and the committee agreed not to try to raise those fees this year.

The committee also decided not to attend a national convention in Boston because of the high cost of going to the event.