Page 162 - Microsoft Word - Annual Report 2016

MASCONOMET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The 2015-16 fiscal year was one of innovation and change in the Masconomet Regional School District.
We kicked off some new initiatives and made strides in achieving others, all while continuing as a high-
performing district. Boston Magazine rated Masconomet 24th among the best high schools in the state.

As the result of previous year discussions with the Town Administrators and Finance Committees, the
School Committee rolled out a new budget process that was designed to provide transparency and open
communication regarding the budget development. Through a series of public meetings in December, the
academic and administrative areas discussed their wants, needs and future plans with the Budget
Subcommittee. This allowed for an open and honest discussion of potential budget issues. The proposed
budget, presented in February, reflected the discussions and what the senior leadership felt was a
reasonable request to the towns. After considerable dialogue, the School Committee approved a FY17
budget which represented a 3.4% increase of FY 16. During the budget discussion, the decrease in overall
student enrollment was discussed. The Committee charged the administration with producing a staffing
and enrollment analysis for use in developing the FY18 budget.

In addition to the operating budget, Masconomet works with organizations and individuals to receive
grants and gifts to help support the academic program and physical plant. The Masconomet Education
Foundation (MEF) granted a total of $300,000 during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. This
year, $200,000 of the grant was provided for the construction, equipment and furnishing of a Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) lab. A science lab in the high school was converted
over the summer and opened September 2016. We also received gifts from a number of graduating
classes to complete funding for a digital sign outside the high school. We will work with Essex Technical
School for construction and installation.

As the landscape of state mandated assessment changes, the School Committee discussed the shift from
MCAS to PARCC and then to MCAS 2.0. It was decided to implement the online version of PARCC for
the Middle School, but remain with MCAS in the High School. As a result of the Middle School’s
performance on MCAS last year, the school moved from Level II to Level I and achieved the status of
Commendation School. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester visited
Masco Middle School in May to offer his congratulations to the Middle School Principal, teachers and
students.

The School Committee and District launched a strategic planning process to establish a
fresh and future vision for Masconomet – Masconomet 2025. A task force of faculty, staff and
community members created a vision, mission and statement of values that are the basis of the
development of a strategic plan to be developed in 2016-17.

After nearly 5 years of planning and work ensuring that our infrastructure was sound and our teaching
staff was prepared to utilize the technology, we began the process to rollout a 1:1 digital learning
environment. It was decided that the environment would only be required in the high school and phased
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in, beginning with 9 and 10 graders in 2016-17. A number of public meetings were held to discuss the
plan and gather input from parents and the community. An online store was established to allow parents
the opportunity to purchase the necessary computer, accessories and insurance/service.