Welcome to the newly created Wachusett Regional District School Committee Online Bulletin! The idea for this online bulletin was sparked last Spring during budget season when many School Committee representatives heard a lot of misinformation and incorrect rumors circulating in the community. As we’ve moved through the issues that have plagued the District this Summer and Fall, we wanted a means to improve communication with the community of parents, staff members, and residents in our District.
What can you expect to see in this online bulletin? This bulletin will be different from a typical blog, in the sense that a blog usually has a connotation of containing the author’s opinion. This online bulletin will remain as neutral as possible. Any views expressed are those of the individual representative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the full School Committee. The postings will include recaps of recent meetings, noteworthy happenings in the District, links to interesting articles, lists of important meetings in our District, and clarification of rumors circulating in the community. Any School Committee representative may upload a post, and each post will be clearly noted with the author’s name. There will not be a space for public comments on the online bulletin, but each post will contain the representative’s email address so that members of the community may ask questions, seek clarification, or provide input on a particular post. The posts will not necessarily be done in regular intervals. Instead, a post will be uploaded when a representative feels there is something noteworthy to share with the community.
As I run into people in the schools and around the community, everyone asks me the same question, “what’s going on with the District now?” I know most everyone has read at least some of the articles in the papers, but here’s a quick recap of recent news in case you missed something or wondered what was going on. Superintendent Dr. Tom Pandiscio will be retiring on December 15. Glenwood Principal Tony Gasbarro has been named as the Interim Superintendent, effective December 15. Tony was planning to retire next August, so the Interim Superintendent position will be temporary. Glenwood Elementary School
The District’s regular audit is currently wrapping up and we expect to have the report from our auditors in the next couple weeks. A joint meeting with the Business & Finance Subcommittee and Audit Advisory Board will be scheduled soon to review the audit findings, and to discuss the next steps in light of the recent Department of Revenue notification that the transfers done with grants and revolving accounts after July 15 will not be allowed, leaving our FY12 close-out in a deficit. The Request for Proposals for a phased forensic audit will also be discussed at that meeting. FY13 will continue to be a very tight budget, and we are looking at cost saving measures including new print management options to lower our printing and copying costs. All of our subcommittee and full meetings are open to the public, and meeting dates are posted at www.wrsd.net.
In light of all the issues that we have faced in the last few months, our schools are running smoothly due to the amazing staff, parents, and community that we have. Our teaching staff has worked very hard to not allow our budget challenges to impact our students. And the community has come together to support our students through library volunteers and classroom support. We have a great community and a great school system, and we will get through our challenges and focus on providing an excellent education for our students.
To contact Stacey Jackson, School Committee Representative, with questions/concerns about this particular bulletin posting, please send an email to: StaceyLJackson@yahoo.com. To contact any other School Committee Representatives, their contact information can be found at www.wrsd.net/schoolcommitteemembers.cfm.
