School Committe Candidates Q&A

Tomorrow is election day, and the only contested race is that of School Committee. So Patch asked both candidates for School Committe a set of questions to help you cast your vote.

• Patch: What do you see as the biggest obstacle in our schools, and what types of actions/policies would you like to see fix it?

Mezzina: Our schools are in need of a strong, data-driven approach to academic excellence. Before we think about experimentation, such as overhauling the grading system, we need to make sure that our core academic programs are as strong as possible. This year, the School Committee invited each principal to speak about what budgetary items they would like to request for FY14. I think this was very productive and helpful, and in same manner, I'd like to bring each principal in front of the School Committee to speak about their plans to improve academic excellence in their particular school over the next year, followed by a public forum to give parents a chance for input. This would not only encourage communication, but would also provide insight into each principal's long-term plans.

Warren: The district needs to continue focusing on developing a strong North Andover curriculum. Putting in place a solid curriculum, a plan for its periodic review and the related professional development for teachers ensures a consistent understanding from building to building. This is the first step in improving student performance and encouraging proactive thinking about areas for improvement. Additionally, this enables all stakeholders – students, parents, and teachers - to understand what skills and content students will learn each year while still providing our teachers the ability to be innovative and creative in their teaching. Curriculum development is a sophisticated and sometimes difficult process, but it can have a big impact on student achievement.

• Patch: The school system faces budget tightening every year it seems like. How would you, if elected, deal with tighter budgets? What would you prioritize or scale down, and how else might you creatively make due with a smaller-than-desired budget?

Mezzina: We need to go over the budget with a microscope and ensure that every dollar is well-spent, keeping in mind that little savings add up to big savings. When we negotiate our next round of contracts for faculty, there should be incentives for them to find savings in their own budgets that do not affect the welfare of the students. That way, we can focus on the core budgetary items that are essential to student success.

Warren: Budget discussions must begin with prioritizing the district goals and school goals designed to achieve academic excellence while recognizing the constraints of our budget. Priorities will change from year to year. It is important for North Andover (the School Committee, Board of Selectman, Finance Committee and Town Manager) to continue to work together to maintain level services for the schools. The schools, like all town departments, need to be innovative and consider cost-saving methods.

• Patch: What is your view of heterogeneous classrooms, which have been the topic of much debate in recent years?

Mezzina: Students must be taught based on their individual needs. We must keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with the fact that different students learn at different paces, and that it is a mistake to either rush them or hold them back. Each student has the same end goal, but how they get there differs from student to student, and they are best served if we recognize that.

Warren: The North Andover Schools currently utilize both heterogeneous and homogenous classrooms. While I support open discussions about potential changes to the organization of our classrooms, I believe that any changes that might be made should first be supported by educational research, an opportunity for teachers, parents and the community to participate in the discussion, and a thoughtful plan that details how changes would be implemented and a process to review its success.

• Patch: What is your stance on BMI monitoring in schools and notifications to parents?

Mezzina: Child health is extremely important, but this is the wrong way to go about it. First of all, there is some question about whether BMI really is a good indicator of a child's health - a child who has above-average body mass is not necessarily unhealthy. Second of all, the state cannot expect the level of services from our town that they do, while burdening us with unfunded mandates and giving us relatively low levels of Chapter 70 support. We need to work with our legislators to repeal mandates like these and ensure that North Andover is in charge of North Andover education, not bureaucrats on Beacon Hill.

Warren: In regards to BMI monitoring, given the current state mandate, North Andover Schools should follow the guidelines providing parents the opportunity to opt-out of or participate in this program. With that said, I believe that our students would be better served by our school nurses using their time to design and implement health and wellness programs specifically for our North Andover students.

• Patch: Name an example of changes and/or additions you would make to curriculum the schools.

Mezzina: Many school districts have started partnering up with local community colleges to offer college classes for high school credit. The switch from high school to college is one of the biggest jumps a student will ever make, and to provide an intermediary step like this would be beneficial. This class could also be an elective, so that students can begin to look at what career paths they might be interested, and fewer of them begin college undecided on their major. This is an initiative that I would like to push forward if elected to School Committee.

Warren: I support creating policy that would provide for review of our North Andover Curriculum to maintain areas of success and improve areas of weakness as I mentioned in Question 1. One area for improvement is the technology plan. I believe this is one area which my background in educational technology will prove useful. Technology can improve teaching and learning when there is a plan that includes a cohesive vision and thoughtful implementation. Curriculum should serve as the starting point to identify how and where technology can be used to teach and engage students in better ways. Working collaboratively with teachers and providing them support is key. I am a strong supporter of innovation, but we need to be thoughtful when acquiring new technology. The district should assess if existing technology can be reallocated to address the plan. Any new acquisitions should have a clear purpose tied to teaching and student achievement. Alternative funding, like grants and community partners, should be explored.

• Patch: School Committee members sometimes work with state representatives and state senators to address concerns in the school district. What do you think state legislators' role should be in local schools, and how would you say they've done in recent years overall?

Mezzina: State legislators are critically important in ensuring two things: that we get the local aid necessary for our schools and our town, and that we are not burdened with unfunded, heavy-handed mandates that are not helpful to North Andover. We need to maintain strong ties with our Beacon Hill legislators, no matter what their party affiliation, and work with them for the good of our town.

Warren: Our state legislators are our partners in providing the best possible education for our students. It is the job of the School Committee to be in constant contact with our state delegation to keep them informed of North Andover’s needs. We receive a relatively low amount of Chapter 70 funding from the state so it’s important for the delegation to understand the importance of keeping unfunded mandates to a minimum.  The Special Education Circuit Breaker program has benefited our town so we need to lobby our legislators to maintain funding for this program. All of our state legislators represent other communities as well, so the School Committee must strongly advocate for North Andover and make compelling arguments on the town’s behalf.

• Patch: Imagine North Andover Public Schools 10 years from now. What stands out most in your mind?

Mezzina: 10 years from now, I will likely have kids either in the system or preparing to enter the system. I am heavily invested in the future of our schools, and I want to see North Andover looked up to by other towns as a model for academic excellence. If we work together and focus on the right things, I believe this is completely possible. We have a tremendous amount of potential in our town, and I look forward to working with the other School Committee members to realize this potential.

Warren: In ten years, I see North Andover Public Schools as a model district. I hope we will be known for innovation in teaching and learning, including uses of modern technology, real-life applications, and utilization of our resources (parents, historic sites, local experts, etc.). Students will be engaged in their learning, which fosters communication, collaboration, critical-thinking and creativity. North Andover deserves great schools and we can get there with strong curriculum, proactive communication, and strong, benchmarked goals.