Ken
O’Brien
According to The Worcester Telegram, Superintendent of
Schools Sheryl Stanton observed, “With the [restructure] proposal defeated, …
more money will be needed in the budget to fill gaps the district has with
instructional coaching for staff, positions it needs for English Language
Learners, to develop a discipline program and support for students, and to
create positions around truancy and attendance problems.
She said the team would have to go back to the drawing board to reassess goals as a committee and district.”
She said the team would have to go back to the drawing board to reassess goals as a committee and district.”
Now, I could be mistaken but, it is my understanding
that the Central Office Staff currently numbers about 30 people.
According to preliminary data from the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education for the 2014 school year Southbridge spent $606.55
per student on administration. This ranked Southbridge 122nd out of
320 districts for results reported.
That means that 62% of the districts in the State
spend less per pupil than we do. Among them are Brimfield ($559.04), Webster
($495.34), Quaboag ($469.80), Auburn ($390.22), Tantasqua ($377.53), Sturbridge
($356.36) and Dudley-Charlton ($210.96).
Fifteen years ago, during JoAnn Austin’s tenure as
Superintendent, the central office staff consisted of 3 people. I will grant
that increased complexity and expanded areas such as technology have required
an expansion of central office personnel.
But by a factor of ten times?
If one examines the School District Examination Report from 2004 one would be hard-pressed to see any significant improvement that has been bought through all these new personnel.
If one examines the School District Examination Report from 2004 one would be hard-pressed to see any significant improvement that has been bought through all these new personnel.
If the budget given to the School Committee by the
town requires some cutting I suggest that it start there rather than with the
teaching staff.

Now, I could be mistaken but, it is my understanding that the Central Office Staff currently numbers about 30 people.
ReplyDeleteI see 12 people doing 33 functions - http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/profiles/general.aspx?topNavId=1&orgcode=02770000&orgtypecode=5&leftNavId=122&
I count 16 without any additional number for secretarial or support staff. http://southbridge.k12.ma.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=299720&sessionid=d291f2c22e692ec77fafac7c531c663c
DeleteActually 15 , You must of counted one administrative assistant /secretary twice.
DeleteRight you are. But, as I said, this doesn't include secretarial or support.
Delete