This summer, I shared news that the Southborough Extended Day Program was “saved” after an announcement that after 35 years the non-profit was being replaced by a for-profit vendor. Yesterday, the Community Advocates covered a discussion about the program at this month’s School Committee meeting.
According to the article, SEDP’s contract is for only one year. This fall, the Northborough-Southborough Public Schools are studying whether it is feasible to replace the contract with a district-run going forward.
The possibility arose after the administration rebooted the RFP process this summer:
[Superintendent Gregory Martineau] said through that process, one of the conversations was that the district felt it wanted to study the feasibility of taking on the program.
“Through the conversations with the central office team, we feel that the resources we have within the district, knowing our students, that we can really develop an outstanding before and after school program for our community and also capitalize on the expertise that we have as a school district,” Martineau said. . .
When asked by School Committee member Jennifer Primack, Martineau said such a program would be staffed by a combination of internal and external hires.
The feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in early December:
“That is to provide us enough time to plan and prepare, but also communicate with the current provider and families so that they can have assurity of what they can expect come the fall and summer in terms of extended day programs,” Martineau said.
For the full story, click here.
Here he goes again with blowing the budget. Not only will his plan remove about $80,000 in revenue but then the people he hires will need benefits, PFML, tuition reimbursement, retirement funds etc. Where does that money come from? Our pockets. Sure there will probably be some tuition involved but I am betting that since it would now be a public school program, they will have to accommodate children with special needs which will require aides and helpers, etc. Why can’t Martineau just leave things that work and work well alone? He doesn’t care if his budget goes way up, the taxpayers (all of us, whether we use the program or not) will pay for it. It is time to stop the bleeding and have school committee step up and put an end to the ridiculous spending at the schools. Until they hold the Superintendent and his office accountable, it will just continue. SEDP has a great program that the parents love with great staff. Doesn’t Martineau have enough to worry about?
Hey resident, I see you are taking some hits on this board. How dare you raise issues with the Superintendent! Who do you think you are ……. – a taxpayer? Don’t you understand that the professionals know better than you – why just ask them. Most certainly his proposal will be rubber stamped by the education committee. Of course who can blame them – more money coming from the Feds soon and if they push back there will be hell to pay from a union rep.
And on accountability, you most be dreaming. There is no level of government that has any bureaucrat (most likely Democrat or RINO) or elected official that will ever be held accountable. The evidence is all over the place (BOS, Zoning Committee, IRS, FBI, state prosecutors, mayors, four star generals, presidents – the list is endless). Keep dreaming though; they can come true.
But you had better make sure you pay your taxes; you will be held accountable for what you owe.
Haven’t had a kid in the Southboro system for a long time but I applaud their continued efforts to make the system as good as it can be. My kids got a great education there. All our homes will sell for so much more because of the Southboro Public Schools… it’s why we moved here and it’s why our future home buyers will want to move here too.
Resident; I actually had a chuckle at your comments about the extended day program potentially needing to “accommodate children with special needs…” As far as I’m aware, those students may attend the extended day program now. They are students in the districts and as such, have every right to attend programming on school property with the supports that they are entitled to. It is interesting that you feel this way about children with disabilities, however. It may be helpful for you to consider how it might feel to be a family reading your post and realizing that one of their neighbors doesn’t think their children should attend extended day programs because they will cost town taxpayer too much money
There is definitely a person or a group of persons who enjoy stirring the pot when it comes to the school district and the superintendent. Due to the writing style, language use and irrational accusations toward the district’s superintendent, I have often wondered if it’s a bunch of high schoolers.
Kate, my apologies that my post sounded like I don’t support children or families with disabilities. I actually do and think inclusion is one of the best things about our schools. As my children went through the schools, all of them had friends that were children with disabilities and I was very proud to be able to say that my kids were sympathetic and helpful to their friends. My point was that SEDP does not have to take children with disabilities but they do make some exceptions. With an in house program, they will be required to take the children and that comes at a cost as well. A cost to the district that SEDP does not have. My comments were specifically geared to costs and budgets and not to alienate any child of family of a child with a disability. I think that it is hard enough to have a child with a disability that the families do not need any negativity surrounding their situation. My sincerest apologies if I offended anyone with my comment. The district is not currently responsible for tuition for children in SEDP however, they are responsible for some of the aides that are provided. Again, my apologies if I offended anyone.
Resident, I was not offended at all, and I did not mean to imply you didn’t support families dealing with disabilities. I appreciate you clarifying your position. I was involved in the districts’ special education PAC for about 10 years, so I’ve attended many budget meetings in my time!
As far as afterschool programming and students with disabilities, I found this 2012 MA state guidance:
Does a student have a right to access afterschool programming without facing discrimination?
Under the protections of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), children with disabilities should be able to access afterschool or out-of school-time programming without facing discrimination. Program directors should become familiar with a child’s situation and, if applicable, read the child’s IEP to better understand his needs. Programs should then make reasonable accommodations to allow the child to participate effectively.
The definition of the term “reasonable” depends on the capacity of the program to accommodate a child, including its budget, size, and potential disruption to the program that the accommodation may cause. Parents and advocates should document all efforts to request reasonable accommodations in writing and cite a child’s legal protections under Section 504 and the ADA, particularly if facing difficulty obtaining such modifications for a child.
Here’s the link: https://mhlac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ed_after_school_programming.pdf
Interested,
Perhaps there are juvenile comments towards the school system and the Superintendents office but by in large there is not enough criticism. The lack of transparency is startling and it’s really shocking more parents from the community don’t speak up. On the other hand it’s not shocking at all. There are many controversial things that people want to speak up on but are fearful of the mob and the impacts it might have on their own children if they simply ask questions publicly. The school system knows this and they know they can push their agenda through with little push back.
Tom, I couldn’t agree with you more. I cannot understand why the community doesn’t ask more questions about what goes on at the Schools. This is our money. In regards to Interested saying one person’s opinion is like a bunch of high schoolers, please remember that everyone is entitled to share thoughts and opinions. You have no idea what the connection is that this person may have to the schools so please do not pass judgement. It is likely the exact reason why this person posts anonymously. Tom, I completely agree with your reasoning about why they don’t post publicly.
I’m still confused as to why they would separate from the existing SEDP program. Parents had zero say in the last near-separation and were luckily able to save the program. Are parents complaining about SEDP? Not getting what they need? I don’t understand the need to bring this in house and incur additional costs referenced in other posts.
The subject is on tonight’s school committee meeting agenda. If you ask a question during the public comment at the start of the meeting, you may be able to get it answered during that part of the night’s meeting.