Press Release from Governor Patrick's Office - June 9, 2011

Pictured
Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick (head of table) meeting with School and Community College Administrators

Governor Patrick Visits Pathways Innovation School

Thursday, June 9, 2011 – As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's strategy to close achievement gaps by promoting innovation and excellence in education, Governor Deval Patrick today visited the faculty and staff of the Pathways Early College Innovation School - the state’s second Innovation School - to hear from students and staff on the success of their first year in operation.


“The Pathways Early College Innovation School is using the Innovation School model to provide a dynamic education to their first class of students,” said Governor Patrick. “The students and staff here are trailblazers and I am excited for their strong start and for their future as a school.”

The Pathways Early College Innovation School is operated through a unique partnership between the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC). The primary purpose of the school is to provide motivated 11th grade students, some of whom have faced educational and other challenges, with an alternate pathway to higher education. The school was established by the unanimous vote of the Mahar Regional School Committee in June 2010, and it became the state’s second Innovation School. During his visit today, Governor Patrick met with students and staff to learn about their first year and about how the flexibility and autonomy of operating an Innovation School helped ensure success for the students.
“The powerful stories of achievement of the students at the Pathways Early College Innovation School are inspiring,” said Education Secretary Paul Reville. “This is a powerful model for collaboration between school districts and community colleges, and I am very proud of the accomplishments of the students, the Mahar Regional School District, and MWCC.”

The school is located on the MWCC campus and currently serves students from Athol, Barre, Baldwinville, Bolton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Shirley, Sterling, Townsend and Winchendon. The students are enrolled in MWCC courses and receive credit toward both their high school diplomas and certificate or degrees. In addition, they receive individualized academic and career support, participate in internships and other employment opportunities, and have access to all MWCC facilities and services.

“The Pathways Innovation School wouldn’t be possible without our many talented teachers and educators and our strong partnership with Mount Wachusett Community College,” said Mahar Superintendent Michael Baldassarre. “The Pathways Early College Innovation School is accomplishing its mission of helping all students access an education that prepares them for a long and successful future. We believe that the opportunities provided by the school can inspire and inform the rest of the school districts in the Commonwealth.”

“What is amazing about the Pathways Innovation School and MWCC’s Access programs is that the work is going on at a relatively small community college in a relatively rural area by a highly motivated group of professionals” said MWCC President Daniel Asquino. “This is a testament to the vision and inspiration led by Governor Patrick and Secretary Reville born out of the Readiness Project of which I was privileged to sit as a member of the team. This educational opportunity is priceless and the success of the program serves as a model to be used beyond Mount Wachusett Community College.”

The Innovation Schools initiative, a signature component of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Education Reform Act signed in 2010, gives educators the opportunity to create in-district schools that operate with greater autonomy and flexibility while keeping school funding within districts. These schools can implement creative and inventive strategies related to curriculum, budget, school schedule and calendar, staffing, professional development, and school district policies to improve learning outcomes for all students and reduce achievement gaps.



The Dennis-Yarmouth School Committee recently approved the proposal for the Marguerite E. Small Innovation School which is set to open in September. The vote brings the statewide total of Innovation Schools to nine, with several more in the pipeline.



The Executive Office of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have secured Race to the Top funding as well as grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Boston Foundation and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to award planning and implementation grants and provide site-based technical assistance to applicants. Twenty-four planning grants were awarded in March and additional grants will be awarded at the end of the calendar year. The deadline for the first round of implementation grants is June 30, 2011.



Guidance documents and additional information about funding sources are available at the Innovation Schools website: www.mass.gov/edu/innovationschools

Massachusetts Education Secretary Paul Reville to Speak at Commencement - June 3, 2011

Tomorrow (June3, 2011) at 6:30 PM Massachusetts Education Secretary, Paul Reville will take the stage at the Commencement Ceremony for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School Class of 2011. Secretary Reville was invited to be the keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony after working with administrators at Mount Wachusett Community College and the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in the creation of The Pathways Innovation High School. The graduation ceremony will take place on the football field at Ralph C. Mahar Regional in Orange, MA. This event is free, and all are invited to attend.

The Pathways Innovation School is an “Early College High School.” In this scenario students who attend may receive an Associate’s Degree and High School Diploma in the same time that it takes to earn the high school credential. This program is made even more enticing by its ability to provide the Associate’s Degree to students at little or no cost.

The Innovation School is a true innovation and is one of many that have taken place in Mahar’s recent history. The clearly articulated vision, mission and core values provide a philosophical road map for members of the Mahar school community to move in an upward direction in student achievement, personal growth, school climate, partnerships, and school finance. In essence, district and school leaders use this plan to engage in student-centered decision making.

In 2008 the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District entered into an agreement with the CAPS Educational Collaborative to provide educational services to students with severe disabilities on the Ralph C. Mahar Regional campus. The students come to Mahar from the Mahar Regional member towns of New Salem, Orange, Petersham and Wendell. Other students in the program are from surrounding school districts such as Gardner, Winchendon, and Barre.

During this academic year one student, a member of the class of 2011 asked her principal, Mr. Scott Hemlin if she could be allowed to work as a volunteer in one of the two CAPS classrooms that cater to students with special needs. In response to this request, and in accordance with the Ralph C. Mahar Core Values this young lady was provided with an opportunity to provide service to the students in the classroom. At the same time she earned high school credit toward graduation as she learned about the education of students with special needs. At the Class of 2011 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night not many in attendance were surprised to learn that she will be going to college to become a teacher for children with special needs.

The CAPS/Mahar partnership was created in accordance with the Mahar Mission. The effect of this partnership was felt not only when Candace began working in the class. It was felt when the students in the class began to participate in Mahar student events such as the Senator Games – a competition in which each class competes in athletic events against one another. Even more emotional was the standing ovation that the entire Mahar student body gave to the CAPS students at a pep assembly after showing the medals that they won in the Special Olympics.

When the Class of 2012 (next year’s senior class) met with their guidance counselors to select their courses for the next academic year, even more students requested to work in the CAPS classrooms. When I heard that twelve students out of a senior class of 140 requested to be of service to the students in the CAPS classrooms, I was amazed. Our partnership not only provided opportunities for personal growth – it also improved our school culture. It will be our pleasure to show Secretary Reville the quality education that is offered to students in our regional district when he arrives tomorrow evening. The CAPS program is one of many opportunities our students have to learn and grow.

Please visit the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School website (www.rcmahar.org) to learn more. School choice applications are available on our website and are due in the Superintendent’s Office before July 1, 2011. Please do not hesitate to call with questions, or to request a tour of our facility.

Hannaford's Awards Mahar $1,474.00

Athol/Orange Hannaford Store Manager Joe Goody announced today he would be presenting a check in the amount of $1,000 to Mike Baldassarre representing Mahar Regional on May 16 at noon at Hannaford Supermarket. The $1,000 education grant is being awarded to Mahar for raising the most dollars through the Hannaford Helps Schools program. In total, the school raised $1474.00

Under the terms of the program that ran from September 5 to December 5, shoppers could raise funds for local schools by purchasing participating products. This year, there were more than 900 eligible products, including Hannaford brand items and products from partners General Mills, Clorox, Heinz, Ocean Spray, Gorton's, Bush's Beans, Kellogg's, Bayer, McCains, New World, Coke, Hershey, Nestle Beverage, Purina, Tyson, Mott's and Welch's. More than 2,700 schools in five states participated in the program, raising more than $650,000 overall. In the 11 years since its inception, the Hannaford Helps Schools program has raised more than $6.75 million for participating schools.

There was no limit on the amount that could be raised by each school. Each store has awarded an additional $1,000 education grant to the one school registered with that store that raised the most funds. Mahar was Athol/Orange Hannaford’s education grant winner.

“On behalf of Hannaford, it gives me great pleasure to present this check to Mahar Regional,” said Store Manager Joe Goody “Hannaford is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve, and I can’t think of a better way to do so then by investing in our local schools.”

About Hannaford Supermarkets

Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 176 stores and employs 27,000 associates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Most Hannaford locations have full-service pharmacies and all stores feature Guiding Stars, the nation’s first storewide nutrition navigation system. For more information, visit www.hannaford.com.

Public Forum on Consolidation/Regionalization - March 2, 2011

On March 2, 2011 a public forum was held at Butterfield Elementary School in Orange.  The purpose of this event was to update our communities on the three school district central office consolidation as it has been voted unanimously by our school committees to take effect on July 1, 2011.  This video opens with a presentation by Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools Consultant, Ken Rocke, who provides a  our progress to date and plans moving forward.

At the conclusion of Mr. Rocke's presentation I, along with Superintendents Burnim, Martin, and Regionalization Planning Committee Chair, Michael LeBlanc took questions from those who attended.  Much thanks to Orange Town Administrator, Rick Kwiatkowski for facilitating the question/answer portion. 

This event was aired on AOTV.

The video can be viewed on line by clicking the link below:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23993984/Regionalization_small.wmv

Mahar Dam Removal - Requesting Deadline Extension

Sent to all local news agencies
February 15, 2011

The dam at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School was again the topic of discussion at the February 9, 2011 School Committee Meeting. There, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Project Manager, Derek Schipper and Engineer, Gregory W. Hunt presented the findings in the recently completed Dam Removal Feasibility Study. The total cost for dam removal was presented to be in the neighborhood of $330,000.00. These presenters validated that the cost of dam repair would exceed the cost of removal by as much as $200,000.00.


Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District Superintendent, Michael R. Baldassarre informed the School Committee that former State Representative, Christopher Donelan had interceded on Mahar’s behalf. Because of Mr. Donelan’s work, the district was offered the opportunity to apply for an extension of time for project completion. “By delaying this project for one year, we will likely be able to borrow funds from the state at a reduced interest rate, due to a fund being created for exactly this purpose” said Baldassarre. The Superintendent was provided with this information by Office of Conservation and Recreation Chief of Staff, Stephanie Cooper.

The Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Committee voted unanimously to have Baldassarre send the request for extension. “At the very least we will be provided with more time to come up with funding necessary for the project” said the Superintendent. Baldassarre stated in the meeting that six month follow up inspections will continue during the state of abeyance, ensuring the safety of the Mahar property and surrounding homes.

All of the abutters to the Mahar Dam were invited to attend the meeting, but only one Orange resident attended. Mr. Baldassarre asked the representative from GZA to forward the presentation so that it can be placed on the Mahar website so that those who could not attend would still be able to access the information that was presented.

GZA Presentation may be viewed by clicking below:
http://www.rcmahar.org/blog/2011/02/16/mahar-dam-removal-presentation-to-school-board-2-9-2011/

Budgets Shrink as Pressures Rise for Massachusetts Schools

As published in The Gardner News, February 4, 2011


There are mounting pressures on the landscape of Pre K - 12 education. While the federal government is investing billions of dollars into the transformation of public education, via the Race to the Top Fund, cities and towns across our great nation are struggling to come up with the fiscal means to sustain their educational achievements, however great or small they may be.


At the same time, officials at the state level are debating whether or not school districts should be consolidated in efforts to increase capacity, decrease expenditure, and improve student performance. And on top of all of this, there is even more debate about the creation or abolition of charter schools.

While the aforementioned issues seem to be separate, a common theme exists. The Race to the Top Fund is actually $4.35 billion; cities and towns are looking at ways to spend less because there is not enough to go around; state officials are looking at the expense of education in small districts versus large districts, and the major debate about charter schools is that when they are formed, they divert much needed funding from local public schools, thereby making public school improvement increasingly difficult.

I have found that my educational colleagues have differing views about the aforementioned. While administrators in large districts seek their districts’ share of Race to the Top funds, administrators from small districts groan at the seemingly insignificant dollar amounts they are scheduled to receive. Some school officials are doing all that they can to partner up with neighboring schools in shared purchasing agreements and combined services, while others see consolidation efforts as an attack on local autonomy.

Yet while all of these debates ensue, school happens. While President Barack Obama is on television supporting high achieving charter schools, while State Rep. Marty Walz, D- Boston, is in deliberations about state-mandated district realignment and regionalization, and while superintendents are pleading with local finance committees not to slash education funding in the next fiscal year, the students are walking through our doors ready to learn. Not surprisingly, parents are also expecting that we will deliver on our promise to prepare each child to maximize his or her human potential.

Most school districts in Massachusetts receive more than $11,000 per student per year for the purposes of education. With this in mind, you have the right to expect the very best for those who are attending your schools. For those not directly involved in public education, you can help your schools improve too. You may be a town official, a parent, a business owner, or a taxpayer. You can do your part to ensure that the children in your town are receiving a high quality education:

Parents and local business owners
You might consider becoming a member of the school council of your local school.  Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C calls upon the involvement of this council in the creation of the school’s budget. As a parent or community representative you can see to it that the programs and services most valuable to you and to your school community remain intact.

Town officials
Do not hesitate to ask for school program reviews from independent evaluators. Only then will you know that the taxpayers’ dollars are being utilized for the maximum benefit of your towns’ students. Since you are recommending the dollars to be spent, you have the right to know that those dollars are being spent wisely.

We know that the financial times for Massachusetts cities and towns will be difficult in the next fiscal year. Regardless, the state and federal government will continue to increase the demand that our public schools improve through a rigid system of accountability. And while this is happening the pressures will mount and the debates will continue.

Mahar Dam Removal Presentation: February 1, 2011

SENT TO ALL LOCAL NEWS AGENCIES
January 24, 2011

On February 1, 2011 at 6:30 PM GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Project Manager, Derek Schipper and Norwood District Office Manager William H. Hover will present the findings and recommendations of the Mahar Dam Removal Project to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Committee and to the general public. At the conclusion of the presentation committee members and members of the general public will have the opportunity to ask and have answered their questions about the removal of the Mahar Dam.

In September 2009 the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District received a letter from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs informing that the Mahar Dam was classified to be in “Poor Condition.” This letter set forth a series of costly inspections and evaluations that ultimately called upon the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Committee to make a difficult decision. The committee could have chosen to repair the dam or to have it removed altogether, but leaving it in its current state was not an option.

The final decision was to move forward with dam removal and restore the waterway to its original condition before the dam was created in the 1950’s. Dam removal was the more cost effective of the two options. The Mahar Regional School Phase I Dam Inspection/Evaluation Report indicated that the total cost of dam repair was estimated at more than a half of a million dollars and costly inspections or repairs could continue as long as the dam was in existence. The more cost effective option of dam removal is expected to cost approximately $300,000.00 – but this amount will only have to be paid once.

Many townspeople in Orange have been particularly concerned with the repair or removal of the dam. Officials from the Towns of Wendell, New Salem and Petersham have also been concerned because the cost of dam removal will affect the budgets of all four member towns. Letters will be sent to abutters to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District specifically to invite them to the February 1 presentation which will be approximately 20 minutes in duration.