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| Levon Kinney Staff Intern HAMPDEN With 3,802 students enrolled in HWRSD and the $35,000,000 budget that the school district requires, tough decisions have to be made according to last weeks School Committee meeting. School lunch prices must be raised, test scores need to be improved, and positions around the district have to be filled. The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee gathered in the Thornton W. Burgess Middle School library to discuss and decide on a number of issues and to hear the latest results for last years MCAS. MCAS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scanlon offered the results to the committee through a power point presentation that displayed the scores for each grade and how it measured up with the districts over all scores. "We have made excellent progress," Scanlon said. "Fourty-seven students out of 163 moved from Needs Improvement to Proficient or Advanced." The results are gaining progress in some areas; however, it is not a district wide success. "The Proficiency Index for English and mathematics of students with disabilities are harder to reach," noted Scanlon. Another obstacle the students face with the MCAS is the revised standards that will be applied to graduating classes starting with the class of 2010. "These new regulations beginning for the class of 2010 will require all students to reach proficiency on the tests," said Scanlon. Students need a score of 88 percent on the English Language Arts and a score of 80 percent on the mathematics; they will need to obtain an overall score of 240. "We have largely succeeded in ensuring that all high school graduates in the Commonwealth acquire certain basic skills in reading, writing, and math," Board Chairman James Peyser said in a press release. "However, we have not yet ensured that all high school graduates are ready for success in college or the global labor market." Scanlon addressed the question of teaching to the tests, "We happen to think that these skills are important for the students to learn." School Lunch Price School lunches will face a price increase at the K-6 grade levels in the district from $1.75 to $2. Superintendent Dr. Pual Gagliarducci reported that at the end of last year a budget deficit of $30,000 was absorbed by the district, the increase in prices would raise $35,000 that might balance the budget. The superintendent was asked by the committee to research the benefits of privatizing the food services in the district. Cell Tower The proposed cell tower that will be installed on the grounds of The Church of the Epiphany is in close proximity to Stony Hill Elementary. Since its proposal parents, teachers, and homeowners on neighboring property have voiced concerns. Committee members found inconclusive results from various studies and Gagliarducci said the American Cancer Society had no study that showed the danger from the effects of cell towers. Wilbraham Selectman Patrick Brady was on hand to comment on the towns stance. "It is actually the planning board that would rule on it if the tower were to be built," Brady said. Student News Student representative Nicole Sawyer from Minnechaug High School gave a report on the recent events. "The first term in the school year is over and the National Honor Society induction breakfast was scheduled for Nov. 15," Sawyer said. The class of 2008 brought in a hypnotist for a fundraiser, "It was a lot of fun." The inter-club meeting, sponsored by the Key Club was scheduled for Nov. 16. |