As the students of Andover Elementary/Middle School embark on a new year of learning, allow me to offer, on behalf of the Andover School Board, a quick update on some of what’s been going on to prepare our school for that adventure.
The Facilities Task Force has been hard at work all year examining what repairs or improvements may be needed to AE/MS’ physical infrastructure, and in June, Brian Gilman presented the Board with the Task Force’s recommendations. Major areas that were addressed included accessibility, security, space needs, code compliance, and energy efficiency.
At this point in the process, it is incumbent on us at the Board to review the data, reports, and recommendations gathered by the Task Force to determine at an upcoming meeting whether we will vote to recommend moving forward with a proposal to present to the community.
Various other matters occupied the Board agenda during the June and August meetings. We reviewed and approved the rates and contract of our school insurer, Primex. Additionally, we voted to replace, using the current 2015-2016 budget, badly aged carpet in the computer lab with floor tiling.
The annual heating oil bids were reviewed and ultimately awarded to AD&G Fuel Company at $1.80 per gallon.
Following a vote last spring by our support staff to form a union, we must now begin the process of negotiating a contract with this newly-formed entity, the Andover Education Support Staff. (A new two-year contract was successfully negotiated for the teaching staff last spring.)
Finally, we approved the hiring of our new Technology Integrator. Welcome to AE/MS, Andrew Tyler!
AE/MS Principal Jane Slayton has been keeping us up-to-date on some exciting professional development our teachers have been engaged in. Nine staff members spent three days with school groups from all over the country to learn more about competency education. The focus on competencies that is taking place in New Hampshire and other states requires educators to think differently about assessment and grading practices, homework guidelines, scheduling, and technology use, among other areas. Professional development in these areas will be important in moving forward.
It is hard to believe another school year is upon us! As always, let me reiterate what a privilege it is as a Board member to serve all the stakeholders of our AE/MS school community, especially our children.