Southbridge Middle/High Third Worst in Central Mass. For Discipline Problems

Ken O’Brien

An article in today’s Go Local Worcester identifies Southbridge Middle/High School as the third worst in Central Massachusetts for discipline problems.

Last school year, more than 50,000 students across the state of Massachusetts were suspended or expelled.

In Worcester, just over 2,600 students (nearly 1 in 20) faced suspension. Worcester had the third highest total of disciplined students behind Springfield (3,656) and Boston (3,378). 

One Third Of SMHS Students Chronically Absent

Ken O’Brien

Today’s Go Local Worcester contains an article titled “The 25 Central MA Schools with Worst Chronic Absentee Problem”.

The article observes that “According to the statistics from the 2013-2014 school year from the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, the districts across the state that have the worst chronic absenteeism issues are Fall River (31.7 percent of students are chronically absent), Holyoke (29.4), Southbridge (27.8) and Boston (24.7).”

Chronic absenteeism refers to students that miss 10% or more of the school year.

It ranks the worst schools for chronic absenteeism in Central Massachusetts. In that report Southbridge Middle/High School ranked second in the region with a rate of 34%. 

We’re Number 3 – Uh Hurrah?

Ken O’Brien

Of the 72 central Massachusetts cities and towns surveyed by reporter Zeke Wright in Go Local Worcester Southbridge is tied for third place with Gardner.

Unfortunately, it is not a distinction that any community would relish.

You see, at 9.9% we’re tied for the third highest unemployment rate of those 72 communities. We are only beaten out by Fitchburg and Athol at 10% and 10.5 % respectively.

What is more disturbing to me, however, is how this survey is used as a premise for launching into the repetition of hackneyed attacks on plans to raise the minimum wage. 

Go Local Worcester - Southbridge #69: Central MA’s Best Communities

http://www.golocalworcester.com/news/southbridge/

Monday, June 25, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Southbridge

Southbridge ranks 69th in Central Mass

A culturally diverse town, Southbridge has seen a variety of different ethnic groups move to town, including Laos, Vietnam and Puerto Rico.  The town has newly renovated schools, including a brand new high school that will open in the fall. It is also home to hiking trails, an art center and four parks.  The town also has its own airport, which is privately managed.

Southbridge’s rankings were split, placing in the top 20 in three categories (affordability, arts and culture, and restaurants), but near the bottom in three others (economic condition, safety and education). In education, Southbridge scored lowest of all Central Mass.