Interim Superintendent

Dr. Daniel O'Connor

November 16, 2006

The North Andover Public Schools have experienced the start of a school year where the word “change” has been the operative word in the schools. Students, in particular, have experienced several changes in the way they met the opening of school. Throughout the schools classes were very much larger, about one-third of them having 30 or more students. There was a reduction in the number of people who gave direct support to the student. For example, there were no librarians in the elementary schools or middle school. There were reductions in the number of people who provided services to the students such as secretaries and custodians.

Principals, assistant principals, teachers, guidance counselors and nurses had to prepare for additional workloads in the various aspects of school operation. Significant increases in class size impacted every school. It wasn’t too long before conditions in the North Andover Schools became known beyond its geographic borders.

One professional organization, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which had been monitoring the high school for two years, placed the school on “warning” status. Auditors from the state, town and school system made recommendations pertaining to school finance. The Office Of Educational Quality and Accountability is auditing program and financial aspects of the school system as I write this.

Recognition of the plight of the schools was made by the Selectmen and Finance Committee. The assignment of funding ($250,000) to pay for additional classroom teachers benefited elementary and middle school children. More personnel are needed and will have to be contained in the upcoming FY08 budget. The FY07 personnel reductions across the school system are hampering all phases of the schools’ responsibilities. Reductions in school texts, supplies, maintenance and repairs do likewise.

By the end of the year the schools will complete a full review of program and financial matters upon which to make decisions. Any concern of credibility should cease to exist.

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