Braintree Schools Getting Ready For New Year

BRAINTREE, MA — There's only about two weeks of summer left for the students of the Braintree Public Schools and while they may be enjoying their last days of freedom, Braintree school officials are preparing for the 2018-19 school year.

Jennifer Fay Beers, the director of personnel and student services, said that the school district has reviewed 1,000 applications for 40 positions that have been filled since May, noting that the hires have included quite a few Braintree residents and former Braintree Public Schools students. That list includes incoming Braintree High School Headmaster Christopher Scully, a new guidance councilor, and a new director of nursing.

At the schools, the capital improvements include:

• The high school has redone bathrooms near the gymnasium and some new ones as well which include motion detection toilets and sinks. Students may also notice new ceiling tiles and lighting in the hallways, media center, and cafeteria.
• The Ross Elementary School gym floor is done and needs some painting and striple.
• The asbestos abatement in South Middle School cafeteria floor is done and a new floor has been installed.

On the enrollment front, Braintree has more than 5,960 students as of Monday's school committee meeting, with the biggest gains occurring at South Middle School (35 more students) and the Monatiquot KindergartenCenter (28 more students). Highlands Elementary School is down 22, Liberty Elementary School is down 37, and Ross Elementary School is down 19.

School officials say they were prepared for the increase in students at South Middle School and have additional staff for the year and may need to add lockers.

The first day of school for grades 1-12 is Sept. 5 and the kindergarten and pre-K students start Sept. 10.

Image Credit: Dan Libon/Patch