Last modified: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:52 PM EDT Schools seek 8 percent hike BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF The proposed $8.34 million local school budget for the fiscal year kicking in July 1 comes with a $615,000 or 8 percent hike over this year's spending. It would essentially be a level-service budget, according to Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden, who last week presented the plan to school board members, who supported it unanimously. Spanish would be restored to a full-time teaching position. It is half time now, with students in grades 4, 5, and 6 receiving Spanish. Making the position full time would expose the language to younger grades. "We want to be on par with the other districts," Marsden said, of Plainville and Norfolk. Also, a part-time nurse would be added. Delaney School has about 800 students in the younger grades and needs more than one nurse, Marsden said. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for March 26 at 6 p.m. in the Roderick School library. The electronic pay-without cash lunch program is working fine, school board members were informed this past week. Food Services Director Judy White said the system began in Delaney School in December, and this week was scheduled to be put into use at Roderick, where the older grades are housed. The system works by students giving an identification number to a lunch employee, who on a computer monitor calls up student information such as their picture and whether their parent has enough money in their own lunch account. Concerns continue over having the town's sole election poll at Delaney School. School officials have requested town officials look into finding another voting location. School officials the past two years have expressed concerns with safety over the poll location. Increased vehicular traffic and so many unfamiliar people entering the school while it is in session is the prime concern on election days. "Especially the last one, when we found there were so many extra people coming on campus, with the emphasis on school security," Marsden said. "It is also difficult to manage parking." Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden has received a commendable report card from the school committee in his second annual evaluation. A commendable rating was given in the areas of educational leadership/curriculum, staff and personnel relations, business and finance, facilities, community relations, and personal qualities/professional development. Relationships with the school committee were deemed satisfactory. Areas for improvement include continuing to mentor administrative staff, and more communication of new policies, procedures and standards to parents, teachers and the community. Among other recommendations are to continue to form partnerships with staff, community and parents, to and complete 2008 goals. STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.