Vote Medford 2005

Anne Marie Cugno

Candidate for Medford School Committee

candidate email: cugnocares@comcast.net

View the complete School Committee questionnaire.

Cugno: Q1 - Why Medford Public Schools?

Our public school system provides us with state of the art buildings and highly educated teachers and administrators. Our elementary and middle schools along with the high school provide computers, gym, arts, and music. Our high school alone provides different levels of education, not only standard classes but also honors classes, highest honors, and AP (advanced placement) classes. Our Vocational school allows a student the opportunity to excel in their chosen career path. For a child with a disability we offer classes in all levels throughout the schools that range from Title I, (reading program) speech therapy to ALP (Adaptive Learning Program) classes. All these programs that we offer do not cost the family any additional out of pocket expenses. Our public school system provides the opportunity for our children, parents and teachers to grow as people with the diversity and to learn from different cultures. Life experience is something money cannot buy. Now, with all that said and done I am not suggesting that everyone attend a public school. What I truly believe is that parents need to know what their own child’s situation is and place him/her in the school they feel will best suit their child and their family.

Cugno: Q2 - Adequate service for gifted and talented?

Unfortunately, we do not provide a specific program like we did years ago at the high school with Ms. Marilyn Bloomsack or even a couple of years ago with Mr. William O'Brien, the fifth grade teacher at the McGlynn Elementary School, who ran the Building of Bridges program. However, we do provide some extras. For instance, we provide Italian language classes starting in the second grade. These classes are subsidized by the Italian government and do not cost any additional tax dollars. There is a wonderful chorus program, called Treble Makers, which also starts in the second grade level, instructed by Ms. Karapian. Starting in the third grade string instruments and starting at the fourth grade level string and wind instruments are being offered. Also, I believe that the eighth grade band has the opportunity to participate with the high school band. I also can speak about the McGlynn Middle School where Mr. Deveney has plenty of after-school programs for any of his students that want to participate. Anywhere from sports, student council, Junior National Honor Society and The Bridges Club, an affiliation of the Kiwanis Club.

Cugno: Q3 - Computer-skills Curriculum

Compared to other schools I would say we have a great program. Our new schools have state of the art equipment, therefore our technology and highly qualified teachers are at their best. It amazes me to see the younger students comprehend and learn in this fun, fast paced technological environment. The high school is a different situation because being an older building makes the cost of placing state of the art equipment more expensive. Because of budgetary reasons it is difficult to bring the whole system up to date. However, as far as being competitive with our surrounding towns it is very competitive.

Cugno: Q4 - On MCAS

The benefits of the MCAS test as a measure of teaching performance and actual student learning in my opinion is as follows. It allows the teacher to perform to the highest of their ability and allows the students to learn and comprehend as much as possible. It allows us as a school system to see academically where we stand compared to other cities. Now with that said, we need to know what we are comparing. For example, in comparing a grade from one school to another we need to see the number of students in each grade, we need to know if a school has children that do not speak English or if there are academically challenged students included, etc. Unfortunately, when the numbers are posted many of these important factors are not taken into account. Therefore the resulting comparatives are not as valid as we would like them.

Cugno: Q5 - Comparisons with surrounding communities

I believe Medford is ranked high on the list compared to other surrounding communities. Is there room to learn from our surrounding communities? Definitely. There is always room to improve and learn as we get new and fresh ideas from other communities. They in turn can receive the same from our experiences.

Cugno: Q6 - Religion in Medford's Public Schools?

I believe that school and religion should be separate identities. However, if there is a discussion that comes up in the classroom, I believe each student should have the opportunity to bring their religious and cultural beliefs to the table.

Cugno: Q7 - Remaining in touch with school reality

The advantage I have is that I substitute teach for the city and I get to go into the schools on an everyday bases. I do not only see things through the eyes of a parent but also as a teacher. I have been volunteering since my oldest was in kindergarten and now he is a high school senior. Whether I substitute or not I have always tried to attend PTO meetings. When that is not possible I make sure I call someone that has attended the meetings and that way I can keep in touch with what is going on. I have always been the type of parent to keep in touch with all the teachers on a regular basis. I will speak directly to the teacher and when it becomes a little more challenging to track everyone down I request progress reports to find out how my child is doing.

As far as recent activities I'm involved with the McGlynn K-8 and Medford High Schools Site Councils. I'm a room parent in two (twins) second grade classes. I'm also in the process in organizing their classroom directories and participating in their fall craft day.

Cugno: Q8 - Energy Costs

The increasing energy costs will affect the school budget. When they do not have enough money put aside the only way to compensate, unfortunately, is to take the money from something else to cover the cost. I can only bring my everyday personal experience to the table. With four children, we live with a financial budget. I know what my expenses are every month. When unexpected costs present themselves I have no choice but to take from a rainy day fund. That is how our school budget is made up. We should have a rainy day fund put aside to cover unexpected costs. We cannot control the weather; one year we can have an extremely cold winter or an extremely hot summer. Right now our school system has taken a severe cut in governmental funds, so there is no choice but to cut. What I would like to see for the long term is to try to regain as much money as possible back from the government funds. The government wants us to have the best in schools, administration, and performance of students. We cannot do this alone as a city. We need to get our funding back.

Cugno: Q9 - Attracting and retaining excellent teachers

It comes down to money. As far as attracting new teachers we offer the best. Look at the big picture, new schools, and a great diversity of people. Even though we have lost our neighborhood schools, we have gained so much more. The principals in all the schools are trying their best in to run the schools as best as possible in a family-like atmosphere. We have highly qualified and dedicated teachers in our school system. We need to make sure they stay. We need new teachers that want to come and give us their all. The most important piece to the puzzle is that we stay as financially competitive as possible with our surrounding communities.