Published in the May 22, 2018 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — For their meeting tonight, the School Committee will head into Boston where they will be treated to dinner hosted by METCO families at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain at 6:30 p.m. followed by their regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting with METCO families is an annual spring ritual for the School Committee and will feature a report from METCO Director Joel Villegas.
Also on tonight’s agenda is the employment contract for incoming Superintendent Douglas Lyons, who was chosen last month to succeed Dr. Kim Smith. Dr. Smith will be retiring at the end of June.
If the School Committee approves Lyons’ contract tonight, they are also expected to sign the pact, officially formalizing his status as the next head of the Wakefield Public Schools.
School Committee members are also expecting an update on employment contracts with School Business Administrator Michael Pfifferling and Director of Special Education Lyn O’Neil.
Superintendent Smith is expected to review revisions to the Wakefield Public Schools Instructional Strategy for 2018-2021.
Dr. Smith will also discuss with the School Committee filling the vacant Wakefield Academy director’s position. Wakefield Academy offers extended day programs providing activities and experiences to help promote children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth.
Wakefield Academy caters to working families by providing a safe and enriching environment for students both before and after school. In addition to before and after school programs, Wakefield Academy offers a variety of enrichment programs designed to meet the needs and interests of all students.
The current hiring range for the Director of Wakefield Academy is $70,000 to $85,000. Smith is expected to recommend setting a new hiring range of $85,000 to $100,000, based on an expanded job description and the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary of the Wakefield Academy director is funded by proceeds from fees charged for the programs.
Also on tonight’s School Committee agenda, Assistant Superintendent Doug Lyons will provide a review and update on the new social studies curriculum for 2018-19.
Tonight’s meeting agenda also includes a review of the SEEM Collaborative FY 2019 budget as well as an update and vote on the POST Academy Inter-Municipal Agreement with Town of Reading.
The School Committee is also expected to accept a gift of $500 from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The funds are for end-of-year activities for the Class of 2018.
