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April 1, 2010On April 1, the Regional Transitional School Committee held its first meeting. The meeting was comined with a meeting of the Ayer School Committee and the Shirley School Committee. We had several dignitaries present who offered congratulations and support to our regional efforts. Representative Jen Benson and Representative Bob Hargraves were both present, as was the Commissioner of DESE, Mitchell Chester. Steve Hammen, the Executive Director of MARS (MA Assoc. of Regional Schools) was also present and even handed out pens to the committee. Each of them addressed the assembly for a few moments and offered congratulations and support for our efforts. It should be noted that Commissioner Chester remarked that he is looking forward to using the work done in the Ayer-Shirley merger to be part of a template for other communities in the state who are pursuing regionalization. The debated topic for the evening was the proposed merger of the Ayer and Shirley Middle Schools. At issue was whether or not it should happen this fall or be delayed until next fall. Also at issue was whether the merger should take place in Shirley or in Ayer. After much discussion from the three communities, the superintendents and staff of the two districts and those in attendance, a vote was taken. The Ayer school Committee voted unanimously to merge the middle school this coming fall and for those students to be placed in the Shirley Middle School. The Shirley School Committee voted unanimously for the same. Then the Regional Transitional School Committee voted unanimously for the same motion. In the end, the members of the committee believed that the educational benefits from the enhanced curriculum that will be possible as a result of the merger outweighed all other concerns. We have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the education of the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the regional district right away and all members of all three committees believed that was the right thing to do. Merging the middle school next year as phase 1 of the merger process gives us the opportunity to focus on this population and the curriculum and program needs that are unique to these students. This will not only benefit the middle school students but will be a stepping stone for the rest of the district. As far as the location is concerned, this is a temporary situation. The middle school will be in Shirley during the study and construction project at the Ayer/Shirley Middle High School. Once it is complete or it is apparent that it is appropriate to bring the middle school back to the facility in Ayer, then we will do so. The Shirley Middle School is a terrific facility that will serve the middle school children well in the interim. Another upside to having the middle school children in Shirley is to facilitate the actual construction project and not disrupt their education while it is going on. HAving a half empty facility will make it much more likely that the renovation/construction project will be able to be completed on time and on budget. This is the first in many steps that will bring the two school districts together as one. It will require much from everyone who works in the district, those of us on committees and members of the community. There will be requests for volunteers, committees, public forums and community outreach in the coming months. The children and the district need the support from parents and community members to make the transition as smooth as possible. We look forward to all of you being a part of the process. -Pat Kelly, Chairman, Regional Transitional |
What's New?ASRSD School Choice Form (PDF) ASRSD Internal School Choice Form (PDF) Ayer NCLB Report Card (PDF) |
Last Updated on 14 August 2011 |