BUCKLAND — A Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) audit of hiring practices, concerns regarding home schooling policies and School Choice figures for the upcoming school year were discussed by the Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee last week.
The meeting, which was held both on Google Meet and in person, addressed the nature of the complaint filed with DESE requesting an audit of past hiring practices at Mohawk Trail Regional School. The concern arose from the “legality and ethics” of the process used to hire Vice Principal Diane Zamer in 2019, who lacked the appropriate certification or licensure at the time. Those in direct question are Principal Marisa Mendonsa, former Superintendent Michael Buoniconti and members of the Mohawk Trail School Committee who served at the time.
“At this time, we are awaiting notification from DESE as to whether any next steps will be initiated based upon the second complaint,” current Superintendent Sheryl Stanton said. “The district’s current hiring practices for new employees aligns to the standards and licensure requirements of DESE.”
She continued, mentioning that as part of the district’s system of accountability for staff, a review of licensure occurs annually.
“At this time, all MTRSD employees that require licensure are licensed,” she said, noting that while the district provides support regarding staff licensure requirements, it is ultimately the “responsibility of the employee to earn and maintain licensure.”
School Committee Chair Martha Thurber addressed her disappointment in the allegations brought forward by a member of the School Committee. Thurber said that if School Committee members have concerns, they should contact the superintendent or chair first to discuss them.
“If she had raised her concerns with the superintendent and if she thought that the superintendent’s responses were insufficient, she should have brought them to the School Committee,” Thurber said.
Thurber said she hopes the issue will be addressed and resolved soon, as “we all need to be dedicated to working together to resolve concerns and to move our district forward.”
Also discussed during the meeting was the final School Choice rosters for the upcoming school year, which garnered commentary about enrollment.
“As an overview in FY21,” Stanton read, “we received 75 School Choice students while sending 108 students to other districts.”
Of those received students, 59 were in kindergarten through sixth grade and 16 were in seventh through 12th grade. Of those students sent to other districts, 64 were in kindergarten through sixth grade and 44 were in seventh through 12th grade.
While Mohawk Trail Regional School District as a whole is receiving fewer School Choice students, the number of students sent to other districts has stayed relatively even over the last few years. These numbers do not include private or charter school numbers.
The meeting also included commentary on two home schooling policies. Clarity surrounding why and when home-schoolers might be asked for additional documentation as well as how testing (standardized and otherwise) would be used by home-schoolers were among concerns raised by parents of home-schooled children.
“Looking at the policy and how it’s implemented,” Ashfield resident Elizabeth Gray said, “I know that many of the homeschool families who are speaking this evening, and myself included, are interested in working with the Policy Subcommittee” to clarify expectations.
The items regarding home schooling were tabled to a future meeting, and it was said that the Policy Subcommittee will take up the matter during a specific meeting on the topic.
An update on Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School from Facilities Director Robin Pease informed the committee that the ventilation work is finished, disposable filters will be used and the flooring will be “maintenance-free, wax-free, moisture-free” flooring.
Budgetary discussion also occurred, touching on operating statements, invoices and accuracy. A question arose regarding ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding, and how the school district will fund its various curriculums that are currently supported by ESSER when that funding disappears. It was mentioned that it might be possible to use revolving accounts to support a gradual increase in funding needs in the future.