School Committee Meetings to Be Broadcast Live

The Somerville School Committee held its first regular meeting of the 2011-2012 school year Monday night to announce, among other things, that the city would broadcast future meetings live, just as it does with the Board of Aldermen’s.

“Congratulations,” Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi said to the members of the committee. “You’re now Internet stars.”

Members will decide whether or not to also broadcast live meetings of the Education Programs and Instruction subcommittee, Pierantozzi said. 

“We look forward to increasing the amount of communication we have with residents, parents and guardians,” he said.

The School Committee also reported on upcoming important dates for students and parents, changes to school staff and other matters. 

• The superintendent reminded families that the school year begins Wednesday Sept. 7 for elementary and high school students and Monday, Sept. 12 for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.
• He said that about one in nine Somerville Public Schools teachers resigned or retired over the summer. The district has replaced them all but has received an additional seven notices in the last week. But the schools should fill the positions by the week’s end.
• He added that before school begins, he would accompany Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Department of Public Works Commissioner Stanley Koty on a tour of all the school grounds to make sure that city workers have cleared away all of the branches knocked down by Tropical Storm Irene. 
• The district’s director of finance, Patricia Durette, said that she would provide the city’s libraries with copies of the fiscal year 2012 budget. Information about the budget is also available on the city’s website.  
• Committee member Paul Bockelman reminded parents, guardians and rising freshmen that Wednesay, Aug. 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Somerville High will host an orientation that will allow students to familiarize themselves with the building, meet teachers and practice unlocking their lockers “so that they’re not fumbling” on the first day of school.