Superintendent: The Principal Search is On, and More

Submitted by Superintendent of Schools Joe Sawyer

Thank you to those of you attended the public budget hearing this past Wednesday evening, especially those of you who spoke. It is important that the School Committee hears citizens' perspectives regarding the budget challenges our district is facing.

Athletics Sponsorships: A huge thank you to Central One Federal Credit Union, who has stepped up to become an MVP level sponsor of Shrewsbury Athletics by contributing $20,000! We appreciate this contribution, which will help us maintain our athletics program in the face of our current budget shortfall. We have had other local businesses express interest, and we are hoping to meet or surpass our goal of $75,000 in sponsorships for the coming year. Sponsorship commitments received now will go into effect this year and be good throughout all of next year as well. For specific information on the benefits provided for each level of sponsorship, please click here.

Next Year's School Calendar: The School Committee has approved a school calendar for 2013-2014, which can be found here. Please note that this calendar does not include full or early release days for staff professional development, as these are under negotiation. Addition of such days may extend the last day of school further into June. The dates for the first day of school, school vacations, and high school graduation will not change.

Principal Searches - Public Forums: Ms. Barb Malone, director of human resources, is coordinating the hiring process for new principals at Beal Early Childhood Center and Paton School. Interviews for the Beal position have begun, and interviews for the Paton position will take place the week after vacation; finalists will be selected and will visit each school over the coming weeks, followed by visits by members of the search committee to the finalists' schools.  Parents and community members are invited to public forums with the finalists for each position on the following dates:  Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. for Beal and Monday, March 18 for Paton. The forums will take place at the respective schools.

Please accept my best wishes for a safe and enjoyable February vacation for you and your family.

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools