Adams-Cheshire Hears From Deans Of Students
 The School Committee learns about the duties of deans of students. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District's deans of students had chance Monday to explain the role they play in the district.
Superintendent Kristen Gordon introduced C.T. Plunkett's Patricia Misiuk and Hoosac Valley's Colleen Byrd to the School Committee at Monday's meeting.
"We are often asked what a dean of students does so I think this is a good way to explain what goes on during the day,” Gordon said. "Some people think the dean is purely discipline, and I think in the old days that was the case, but now they are doing whatever needs to be done on any given day.”
Misiuk said she has many roles and not only takes care of discipline problems, but looks to create a safe and happy environment for each student.
"Unfortunately, as you know, not all children are happy and, unfortunately, not all children come form a nice family community and because of that, you need a dean of students," Misiuk said. "I am not there for punishment. My role is to change behaviors and to make sure if something happens it does not repeat."
She added that she is a resource for teachers and parents and is often a guide for paraprofessionals. But with budget cuts and fewer paraprofessionals, everyone is stretched much thinner in regard to disruptive kids in the classroom.
Byrd said she has similar responsibilities at Hoosac Valley and that another part of the job is connecting students and families with outside agencies such as the Brien Center.
Misiuk said she often deals with truancy issues. She noted that more than 60 kids had over 20 absences last year and that their families were warned.
Byrd said as a dean, she often helps these families work out a plan to help get students to school or to find an educational plan that suits them better.
Misiuk said it is important to build a relationship with students so they are more willing to voice any problems they have such as bullying.
She added she often rides the bus if issues arise the drive home from school.
"I've ridden more than one bus in my life just to keep things in order on my way home,” she said. "These kids are buckled from the day they are born and then you throw 40 kids on the bus with no buckles, and you expect them to sit quietly.”
School Committee member Brian Astorino noted that Cheshire School does not have a dean of students and if it would be possible to share the services.
Gordon explained that the principal takes on most disciplinary duties and although a dean would make things easier, it would be too hard to share deans.
She said the district attempted to share between schools before but it was more work than it was worth because the position was not permanent. She said too much time was used explaining what each student needs. She added there is no money in the budget to hire another dean.
In other business, parents of students involved in the high school Costa Rica trip inquire about the plans.
The committee has yet to approve or disapprove the trip because it has yet to be endorsed by Hoosac Valley Principal Jerimiah Ames. Because funds were already collected without approval of the School Committee, members asked that all fundraising stop until Ames' questions about the trip could be answered.
School Committee member Stephan Vigna said he was informed that because Ames and trip organizer Tammie Shafer could not reach an agreement, the trip will now be independent.
Gordon affirmed this and explained Ames requested that the leadership of the trip change. This request was not met and the trip was pulled from school sponsorship.
Gordon added she called the agency hosting the trip was told parents would be refunded their money if needed.
The parents asked if the trip could be brought before the committee again.
Butler said it could, but they would feel most comfortable endorsing a trip that administration has vetted and approved.
"When we approve trips we want to make sure that they are educationally appropriate and we have to approve trips that we have a good feeling about," Butler said. "We really rely on administration ... because a lot of people that organize these trips, we don't really know them.”
Business Manager David Hinkell said that according to the end to the year report for fiscal 2015, the district's net school spending is 8 percent more than required by the state, the lowest in the county, and well below the state average, which is nearly 20 percent.
The School Committee approved a New York City trip for the Hoosac Valley band in May to see the New York Philharmonic.
Tags: ACRSD, field trip, school administrator,
