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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WESTFIELD The first meeting of the School Committee since the inaugurations proved to be lengthy and productive, as new members and chair Mayor Michael Boulanger outlined their plans and motivations for the coming term. In the wake of the enormous shortfall in the 2007-08 school budget, School Committee members are focused and ready to tackle the FY2009 budget as a primary objective. "Financial stability is number one. It's going to be a year of financial housekeeping," Marybeth Ogulewicz-Sacco, School Committee member, said. "There had been financial discrepancies all last year. We'd be seesawing between [being in the] red and [the] black and part of it was the manner in which we did our accounting and a number of items escaped the attention of those in charge of the budget." Ogulewicz-Sacco said that this year will be one of proactive thinking on behalf of School Committee members. She explained that two independent audits of the school's budget and help from the city auditor has increased their knowledge of the shortfall and how to better control such discrepancies in the future. Boulanger called for controlled spending, better overall management and the review of the school system's personnel. He noted that 84.5 percent of the school's annual budget is allocated for personnel. "There are a lot of positions that need to be looked at that have an immediate impact on the classroom. I'm looking at making sure that everyone there is there in a productive, meaningful role directly related to helping kids," Boulanger said. School Superintendent Shirley Alvira said principals within the school district are currently creating their annual budgets for review by Jan. 24. She explained that she has asked each of the principals to evaluate their goals, formulate priorities and weigh the costs. Since accepting her post as superintendent last year, Alvira was thrown into a whirlwind of financial turmoil. Grant writing, public awareness and fiscal restraint have lent themselves to the district's recovery. Alvira said she is confident that the mayor's new leadership and commitment to the school system -- having raised four children within Westfield's schools -- will provide improved communication and financial stability. "The people that work in this system are superb and everyone wants to move the district forward," she said. "I'm looking to have improved communication with the School Committee, mayor and City Council. We can't work independently, we must continue to build bridges." Ogulewicz-Sacco said other concerns for the committee this term include improving technology, state funding and focusing on underperforming students. Kevin Sullivan, newly-elected member of the School Committee, said increasing parent awareness and involvement in their children's education must also be a priority. He called for better access to updated school Web sites so that parents can be better informed. City Councilor at large John Liptak said each school's computer infrastructure must be updated as soon as possible with the money allocated through the Technology Bond. He added that students must become computer literate as early as elementary school to keep up with the demands of middle school and high school curriculums. Sullivan said that overall he is very confident in the mayor's leadership of the committee and each members' commitment to improving the school system as a whole. "I'm very impressed with Mayor Boulanger. He ran the first meeting flawlessly. He's a no nonsense, bottom-line guy. He's someone who will run his whole life on the bottom-line. It's a great attitude to have," Sullivan said. |