Published in the April 23, 2018 edition.
WAKEFIELD — As part of the Daily Item’s coverage of the 2018 Town Election, we posed two questions to the candidates for School Committee. The five candidates for two open seats are Colleen E. Guida, James A. Horne, Aimee J. Purcell, Susan Veilleux and Robert E. Vincent.
We first asked the candidates to identify what they think the district is doing well at the present time and what they think could be improved.
Guida said that she has seen great amounts of progress in the Wakefield Public Schools since her oldest son started kindergarten 13 years ago.
“The most impactful improvements and changes have been most apparent in the last five years,” she said. “Most notably, the Wakefield Public School System has implemented an Instructional Strategy Plan to introduce new curriculum and program initiatives incrementally. After thoughtful review and research, WPS has experienced new math, ELA, and science curriculums put into practice with guidance from curriculum coordinators. Looking forward, social studies, World Language and health curriculums will be reviewed and developed. Coinciding with the introduction of new curriculum is the practice of continued professional development so that our educators can implement the most modern and best teaching practices.
“With progress and development, there is always room for improvement. When introducing new and more rigorous curriculum, challenges can surface with specific types of learners. Educators and administrators need to be able to recognize these challenges and provide appropriate support so that each student can access an equitable education.
“When speaking of providing an equitable education for all students,” Guida said, “Wakefield Public Schools need to continue making progress in supporting the needs of all students. There has been an increased awareness of the need for social-emotional development and education, starting in the early elementary years. Without proper social-emotional development, students cannot properly and successfully access the academic education presented to them. As children develop, each stage brings different challenges that they need to navigate. We have learned that children have different learning styles and we also need to be aware that they will experience social-emotional challenges at various times throughout their journey as students. It is important that all of our educators are equipped with the appropriate skills and tools to effectively manage the unpredictable nature of social-emotional issues and their impact on the learning environment.”
Horne said that Wakefield school are doing lots of things well.
“At last year’s November Town Meeting I’d learned that the Wakefield School District ranked highly in our geographic area,” Horne said. “I’m pleased with that. That being said, there’s always room for improvement.
“As for the second part of the first question; in light of the tragic school shootings, which happen all too often, we should ensure that we keep all Wakefield schools as safe as humanly possible. I doubt arming our teachers would be wise. They work hard enough keeping their teaching skills up to date and educating our students. They’ve devoted their lives to this.”
Purcell praised the Wakefield Schools for always putting students first.
“Wakefield is a very student-centered district,” she said. “As a mother of three, I truly do get the sense that when decisions are made — across all levels — that everyone is thinking about what is best for the students. I also feel that the school department does a great job of both involving the community in school events and also instilling a sense of Wakefield pride in the students. I have lived in Wakefield my entire life and I am proud to say I still live around and communicate with many friends who I went to school with in Wakefield!
“Regarding improvements, I would like to see the School Committee continue the commitment to reducing user fees for extracurricular activities,” Purcell said. “I have paid these fees for many years and know what a burden it can be on a family. Additionally, I would like to see an increased focus on providing services for language and reading based disabilities in-district so that we can bring students who are currently out-of-district and wish to come back to Wakefield the opportunity to do so. There is no reason these services cannot be provided in Wakefield as they are in countless surrounding communities. Not only does this result in net budgetary savings for the district as out-of-district tuitions decrease, but it keeps our children close to home which — in theses crazy times — is where we all want them.”
Veilleux said that among the best things about the Wakefield schools are its teachers.
“There are many great things happening in Wakefield,” Veilleux said. “We have a dedicated staff of teachers, support staff and administrators that are passionate about teaching, helping and supporting our kids. My kids have had some phenomenal teachers who have left a lasting impression on all of us. We’re grateful that they had teachers that challenged them to do their best; teachers that understood their individual style and helped them be successful; teachers that made it a classroom priority that students treat each other like they were part of one big family.
“I have witnessed enthusiastic administrators working hard to make school fun but also instill the need to be respectful and responsible members of the school community. I have seen them make hard decisions with the goal of both raising the bar and also doing what’s right for our children in the long run. I see them tackling tough issues, communicating with parents about the facts and how the school plans to address the issues and support the students at the same time.
“These teachers and administrators also have brought tremendous programming to the district through hard work and partnerships with parent groups and outside resources,” Veilleux said. Whether it be the International or STEAM Nights, or the a cappella concerts or theatre performances, we have great activities going on in our schools, providing our kids enrichment opportunities, both as participants and attendees, enhancing their school experience. We have a strong foundation in Wakefield.
“In talking with community members since joining the race, there are also parents who have concerns,” Veilleux noted. “They want kids across all of the elementary schools to have access to comparable services and programs. They want consistency at the middle school with the assignments and homework being given across the grade. They want the school’s help in preparing kids emotionally and socially to leave high school and be successful. They want their kids to have more choice when it comes to curriculum, and they want stronger enforcement of the technology-use policy in the upper grades. If they have kids who have mastered concepts being taught, they want their kids to be enabled to go deeper to further develop their skill. Some of these concerns should be addressed at the individual school level but some should be looked at by the Administration. Improvement may not always be needed, just a better understanding of what’s happening in the schools already. But in some cases, there may be an opportunity to take another look and evolve the current thinking. If elected to the School Committee, I would look forward to both expanding on the things that we are proud of in Wakefield Schools while also being interested in helping research and improve the areas of concerns.
Vincent identified a number of areas where he believes the schools are doing well.
“From a quantitative perspective, I am impressed with the District’s 2017 state assessment scores,” Vincent said. “Our 7th graders scored the third highest growth percentile in Middlesex County and Wakefield Memorial High School achieved a Level 1 Accountability Rating.
“From a process perspective, I believe the school budget development and presentation processes are first rate and very transparent. The budget development process starts early and solicits community input through different mediums. The Town Administrator, Finance, and School Committees are brought into the budget process in a very timely manner. The superintendent’s presentations are always thorough, understandable and justifiable.
“From a substantive perspective, I studied the District’s Safety Plans and Processes. Wakefield has two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to our schools, enabling them to be proactive rather than reactive. As a retired senior naval officer, I am extremely impressed with the SROs, the effectiveness of the District and School Crisis Teams, the thoroughness and frequency of fire drills and lockdown (A.L.I.C.E.) exercises and evacuation drills, and the cooperation between the District and the Wakefield Fire and Police Departments.
Vincent felt that the schools could better inform the community when it comes to infrastructure issues.
“I have knocked on hundreds of doors during my campaign and determined that residents recognize that many of our public school buildings are decades old,” he said. “However, I have found that a sizable number of residents are unaware of the specific endeavors Wakefield has undertaken to address these critical issues. Accordingly, in my opinion, the District should consider enhancing communications to the general public concerning school infrastructure issues.”
Question 2: If a parent came to you with a complaint involving a building issue or a complaint about a teacher, how do you see your role in resolving those issues?
Vincent said that he would act on complaints in accordance with School Committee policies.
“As a former appellate judge, I wanted to research School Committee Policies for guidance,” Vincent said. “I have determined there are a couple of applicable policies addressing this question.
“Policy 220 – New School Committee Member Orientation. All new School Committee members participate in an orientation program. One of the topics addresses ‘appropriate responses/actions of an individual School Committee member when a request is presented directly to him/her.’ Policy 220 (1).
“I also note that Policy 206 contains the School Committee Member Code of Ethics.
“I assure Wakefield residents that if I am elected to the School Committee,” Vincent said, “I will adhere to the Code of Ethics and provide responses to complaints I receive from any individual in accordance with the direction and guidance provided to me in the Orientation Program as directed by Policy 220.”
Veilleux said that she would direct parents with specific complaints to the appropriate school personnel.
“My understanding of the role of the School Committee is to work with the superintendent on district-wide topics with a specific focus on budget allocation and policy creation,” she said. “Specific complaints about things happening in the schools with teachers or the building should go to the appropriate leader at that school. If someone were to come to me with a specific issue or complaint that fell outside of the purview of the School Committee, I would refer them to the appropriate administrative leader.”
Purcell said that she would advocate for parents’ concerns.
“As a School Committee member, and with a parent’s permission, I would personally bring this parent’s concerns to the superintendent,” she said. “I would continue to follow up in order to ensure the matter is being handled and insist upon transparency in all dealings. Part of why I am running is to give the parents a voice at the School Committee table. If elected to the School Committee, I know who I would work for: parents and community members in Wakefield. Accordingly when someone calls me with a concern, I fully intend to fight for their children with the same passion I use to fight for my own.”
Horne outlined a different approach.
“If a parent came to me with a complaint about a teacher I’d do extensive fact finding to seek out the truth, up to and including putting the parties involved under oath,” Horne said. “When conflicts emerge in the different accounts, as they no doubt would, we’d look into the details and find where there were deceptions. Eventually we will find which party lied. Once we reach that point, we’ve found who to believe and who not to.”
Guida said that she would help parents to understand the School Committee’s role.
“As a member of the school committee, the role is stated as such: ‘The School Committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the Superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district, consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the State Board of Education.’
“However,” Guida added, “the residents of our community do look to the members of the School Committee to listen to and address the concerns and complaints they have. If a parent came to me with a building issue complaint I would make sure that the parent understood my role but go on to assure them that I will bring their concern to the right committee or administrator, who will be able to appropriately respond. Furthermore, I would implore those committee members or administrators to respond to the concern in a timely and respectful manner.
Similarly, if a parent came to me with a complaint about a teacher, I would also need to remind the parent of my role. However, in this case, I would strongly suggest the parent first attempt to communicate with that teacher as the teacher has first-hand experience with the issue at hand. If the teacher is not responsive or not partnering with the parent to resolve the issue, I would recommend the parent communicate with the principal. It is not the role of the committee to attempt to resolve these complaints or act on behalf of a teacher, administrator or superintendent.
