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Date: 11/9/2021
HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional School District will face “some hard decisions” on how to continue paying its increased staff when funding from federal ESSER grants runs out, School Superintendent Kristen Smidy said.
Smidy was responding to a question from Jason Forgue, a Chester representative to the School Committee, at the board’s Nov. 3 meeting. She noted that Gateway has hired math and literacy coaches on time-limited contracts. She said the district anticipates a couple of retirements, and will evaluate whether to maintain another new position that was hired.
“A lot of the money we’re using for programming,” said Smidy. “There are still some hard decisions on how we’ll keep the programming,” Smidy said, when the district reaches the end of ESSER, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grants, which are funded by federal COVID-19 pandemic relief bills.
Gateway received $551,928 in ESSER II funding for an adjustment counselor, interventionist and related benefits, after-school programming, student assessment, HVAC monitoring, professional development, and cleaning and sanitizing supplies. Those funds must be spent by Sept. 30, 2023.
The district will also receive $1,264,891 in ESSER III funding for an adjustment counselor, interventionist, instructional coaches, behavior teacher and related benefits, the after-school program, student assessment, department heads, curriculum leaders, and professional development, which must be spent by Sept. 30, 2024.
Student survey
Student Council representative Joseph Pisani reported on results of a survey he sent to Gateway Regional Middle-High School students which began by asking how excited students were to be back in school. Pisani said altogether he received 73 responses, 39 from the high school, and 34 from the middle school. The majority of students, 58, indicated they were glad to be back in school, giving a score of 3 and above on a 1-to-5 scale.
Asked about sports and the arts, Pisani said the students responding showed slightly less interest in the arts, and more in sports. He said a lot of them expressed interest in a wide variety of clubs. Most students also wanted more school- and class-wide events, including assemblies and a spring fling.
On another hot topic, whether students favored a six- or seven-block schedule, 57 percent favored seven blocks in order to be able to fit in more classes, such as chorus and band. Pisani said 89 percent of students also want longer lunch periods, commenting that 20 minutes is not long enough.
Asked what additional classes might be offered, students mentioned starting Spanish in the fourth or fifth grade; home economics, and financial literacy.
“Overall, it was really positive,” Pisani said, adding that he saved some responses for future discussions.
Learning gaps
Forgue said his primary concern this year is gaps in learning. He asked for a quick rundown on how the schools are dealing with the gaps at all age levels.
“I would have to imagine the gaps are pretty severe, especially this year,” he said.
Smidy said they are, even at the pre-kindergarten level.
“There is a real sense of urgency on how to get kids at grade level,” she said.
Pupil Services Director Kurt Garivaltis said nowhere is the regression in students more apparent than in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. He said the needs and supports are significantly higher, even in the early childhood program. One example given is that children are having a hard time sharing, because last year they had to have their own materials. Garivaltis said the schools are seeking additional paraprofessionals for those programs.
New members
After starting the year with no School Committee representatives from Montgomery and Middlefield, Gateway now has two from Montgomery who were appointed by the town until the next election.
Appointed were Montgomery Selectman Michael Morrissey, and Michael LaFleur, who serves on the town’s Planning Board and Finance Committee. The new members will take office at the next meeting on Dec. 8.
Budget meeting
The first joint budget meeting with the towns is scheduled for Dec. 8. Russell representative Tara Balboni said it is important to encourage town officials and residents to come and participate in budget planning for next year.