Vote Medford 2005

Robert Emmett Skerry

Candidate for Medford School Committee

phone number: 781-396-9092

View the complete School Committee questionnaire.

Skerry: Q1 - Why Medford Public Schools?

There are many reasons that public education in Medford should be utilized. Some reasons are:

• Tuition Free
• Very few fees
• Excellent Facilities (libraries, labs, gymnasiums)
• Quality Teaching Staff
• 98% meet Federal Standard
• Low Class Size
• Whole Child Initiative
• Multicultural Environment
• Wide Range of Course Offerings
• Advanced Placement Programs
• Significant Support Services (counseling and therapy)
• Excellent computer ratio (2 students for each computer)
• Solid Vocational Programs
• Health Education
• Over 70% go on to post-secondary education right after high school
• Program for students with disabilities are staffed by highly qualified professionals.
• Assistive technology is available
• Diagnostic testing is utilized to ensure proper placement and progress tracking of students.
• Early intervention and summer programs are available for extra help and continuity of
service
• These services are rarely provided by private schools.
• Opportunity to learn in least restrictive environment for sped students

Skerry: Q2 - Adequate service for gifted and talented?

YES. Recently Medford sponsored a state wide summit for teaching and working with gifted and talented students and we are looking at ways to expand the grant to expand programming.

Our after school activities and programs offerred are second to NONE.

The Honors program and advanced placement courses are amongst the most offered in Eastern Mass.

Skerry: Q3 - Computer-skills Curriculum

We have one of the best student-computer ratios in the state. With the advent of new schools, our equipment is state of the art and current While computer labs provide multiple options for teachers, staff and students.

Technology in the schools continues to be updated and Faculty and Staff have ample opportunities for in service training.

Skerry: Q4 - On MCAS

MCAS is not a perfect solution to a childs' effective education. It is a tool that has strengthened core academic subjects allowing our students to compete in a global society. The MCAS should not be the only tool to evaluate teachers and students alike. After all not every student learns on the same plane as students come "into their own" at different times and our school system is aware that all students are not alike.

Skerry: Q5 - Comparisons with surrounding communities

Medford has many fine programs that other cities and towns try to emulate. We are a Urban city with a diverse population and home to many cultures. We strive to foster a sense of community thru education and offer many programs that other cities and towns do not. Medford and its educational staff adopt change in a positive fashion and new ideas from surronding communities are always welcome.

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

The United States Constitution mandates that there is a separation of church and State.

As a former social studies and English teacher, I realize that religion has and continues to be a powerful influence on human events and thus has become a part of a students studies and we as a community must respect religious diversity and customs but the public schools cannot and must not advocate for any one religion or group.

Skerry: Q7 - Remaining in touch with school reality

Being employed full time as a criminal investigator I find that being a member of the school committee is a great job and I enjoy watching our students partake in athletic contests, science fairs, plays, musicals and academic awards nights.

I make it a point to visits the schools often to keep abreast of what are students are doing and Listening to faculty and staff on making the Medford Public Schools the best that they can be. As a former teacher in Medford, many of my former colleagues are quick to notify me of happennings and situations that need to be tendered to.

Skerry: Q8 - Energy Costs

One only has to listen to a radio or read a daily newspaper to catch up on current events along with the Devastation of Hurricane Katrina to realize that it will be a long winter on the East Coast. Many of us were alerted to energy shortages with the spike in gas prices in late August. It Is time for the FEDERAL and STATE goernments to act and not react. It is possible, due to sever weather that energy costs will soar in Medford as a result of damages to southern refineries this past summer. We in Medford will conserve but our fuel budget will have to be monitored monthly.

Skerry: Q9 - Attracting and retaining excellent teachers

The present staff of the Medford Public Schools are well qualified by State and Federal standards and we expect multiple retirements in coming years. If you were to look at other cities pay scales, our salaries are competitive and we offer Teacher support and Mentors for our new staff. We offer teacher developement programs and in service training on a variety of subjects.

In the last decade great strides have been made to insure a diverse faculty and staff and more will be done.

Ed. Reform in Medford has placed a greater emphasis on building principals to seek out faculty for their schools and make recommendations directly to the superintendent. In the end the schooL system must determine that staff members are properly licensed AND meet CORI requirements. We all want the best for our children.