[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Let me take this opportunity to update you about a few items:

•  Budget.  During the month of January the School Committee will continue
to review the preliminary 2009-10 [
http://fcw4.needham.k12.ma.us/SC.Packets/SC%20Packet%2012-2-08.pdf?FCItemID=S02CB816C
]FY10 Budget  request.  As I have indicated previously, our request, a
3.9% increase over the current year, is modest and requires us to reduce
some staff positions and funds for supplies.  The fiscal climate is a
significant challenge, but we will work closely with the town to ensure we
have the minimum resources we need to provide a high quality program for
our students.  I encourage parents to follow the budget discussions that
will take place throughout January and into the winter months.
Also this winter, we are collaborating with the town to conduct energy
audits in our school buildings to see how we might conserve energy.  Who
knows?  Perhaps there are some simple steps we can take within our schools
and classrooms to reduce energy costs and our carbon footprint.

•  School Space Committee.  This week the School Space Committee met for
the first time to discuss school space needs in the Needham Public
Schools.  The School Committee charged the Space Committee with the task
of considering options to address short and long-term school space needs
with special attention to enrollment trends, town-wide capital needs and
priorities, and the planned Newman renovation.  Membership on the School
Space Committee includes:  C. Brumbach (Dir. of Student Development, NPS),
 J. Cogswell (Community Rep.), M. Cooley (School Committee), D. Davison
(Finance Dir., Town of Needham), K. Fitzpatrick (Town Manager), F. Fortin
(Parent/Community Rep.), M. Greis (School Committee), A. Gulati (Finance
Dir., NPS), D. Gutekanst (Superintendent), G. Kent (Permanent Public
Building Committee), J. Lamenzo (Future School Needs Committee),  M.
McAneny (Newman Assistant Principal), L. Miller (Executive Sec., Finance
Committee), M. Piltch (Parent/Community Rep.), P. Robey (Community Rep.),
D. Matthews (Selectman), R. Zimbone (Finance Committee).

The committee will meet throughout the winter and provide a report to the
School Committee in March.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 14,
2009 at 8:00 a.m. at the Emery Grover Building on Highland Ave. Community
members are welcome to attend.  I will also include updates of the
committee's work in future emails and reports to the School Committee.  

•  PPBC.  On a related note, the Permanent Public Building Committee
(PPBC) continues to study options for renovating Newman's heating and
ventilation system.  The proposed renovation would likely involve the
displacement of students and/or programs for a period of time, and both
the PPBC and School Committee need to understand what options are safe,
efficient, cost effective, and the least disruptive to our students.  I
will schedule a meeting with the Newman School community in January or
February to discuss some of the ideas and update them about plans and
options. 

•  New Years Needham.  I encourage parents and students to enjoy New
Year's Eve in Needham:  Join the community for a celebration of art,
music, dance and magic on December 31st from noon to 10:00 p.m.  Check out
the schedule of events at:  http://needarts.org/

•  Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, Personal Growth.  Yesterday
morning at Hillside I spied the 4th grade chorus preparing for an upcoming
concert, and it reminded me of the wonderful musical performances I have
observed recently at Mitchell (David Neves conducting) and the high school
(Jonathan VanderWoude conducting).  Our students are led by exceptional
teachers and principals throughout the district and supported by caring
nurses, secretaries, aides, and custodians, all of whom live our core
values each day.  The outstanding music also reminded me about the
importance of encouraging creativity, imagination, and innovation within
our students even as we hold them to high expectations for their personal
growth and learning.  As I walk through Needham's classrooms I recognize
we have opportunities to grow in this area, but we also have the skilled
and talented professionals-and equally capable students-to accomplish
this!  It continues to be a real honor for me to work within the Needham
Public Schools.  Thank you for the opportunity.

I hope you and your families and friends enjoy a peaceful holiday.  Happy
Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

As always, I can be reached at dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us or
781.455.0400, x203.


Sincerely,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent

2008 Performance Report Factoid:  According to the [
http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/reports/performance_report_2008.pdf
]2008 Performance Report Needham's teachers participated in 52 courses and
workshops last year covering over 580 course hours. (page 10)

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