School Committee meets new leaders — in finance, schools

See complete list of new hires below

UPDATED Sept. 18: The Arlington School Committee on Thursday, Sept. 12, met several new administrators, heard an update from the superintendent that included a report about 50 new teachers, discussed changes to the cellphone policy and heard parent concerns about the sexual-health curriculum and special education.

The first meeting of the 2024-25 school year began by introducing several new administrative staff members joining the Arlington Public Schools community this year. Present at the meeting were Fran Gorski, the new assistant superintendent of finance and operations, who began in August; Michael Kozuch, the new director of social studies; Christina Cooney, the new director English and language arts; Richelle Smith, returning as Metco director; and Octavia Brauner, the now permanent director of mathematics and computer science.

Other new faculty who did not attend included Rochelle Rubino, the new principal of Ottoson Middle School; Gretchen Saunders, the new principal of Hardy Elementary School; Heidi Clement, the new assistant principal of Peirce Elementary School; Kathleen Earley, the new assistant principal of Bishop Elementary School; Jeremy Greenwood, the new assistant principal of Thompson Elementary School; and Lindsay Migliero, the new assistant principal of Ottoson Middle School.

YourArlington has requested background about these new faces.

Homan’s update

Superintendent Elizabeth Homan shared an update about the August leadership workshop. She says almost four dozen teacher leaders, 18 coaches and almost six dozen administrators participated.

New-teacher orientation was also held over the summer, with about 50 new teachers in attendance. Homan said new teachers spent the week learning about culturally responsive practices, building community, and developing curriculum resources.

Policy issues

The committee also discussed both changes in policy and policies that, they said, seem to be going well. Among these was the addition of smartwatches to the no-cellphone policy. Homan says the policy stays the same: “If we see it, we take it.” She said many classroom teachers are adapting to “cellphone holders,” which hold cellphones at the front of the classroom while class is in session.

During the allotted public-comment time, two parents came forward about concerns they wanted to share about the practices of Arlington Public Schools.

One parent, John DiModica, raised concerns about the school’s new sexual-health curriculum. The parent shared that along with other school districts around the country, the new curriculum is fueling a rise in transgender ideations nationwide. He says the committee needs to revisit their sexual-health curriculum.

Another parent, Cheryl Miller raised concerns about the treatment of children with special needs at Arlington Public Schools. She says that she was forced to home-school one of her children with special needs after, she said, APS failed her because of her disabilities. She said that with the help and guidance of Homan, she was able to send her child back to school. She says, however, that nothing has changed and called for accountability.

The committee said that, overall, the school year is off to a strong start. With new leadership and a new year, they say they are hopeful for what’s to come this school year.

The committee met at Arlington Public School district’s Office, 14 Mill Brook Drive, second floor. 

 Newly hired teaching staff for the Arlington Public Schools

Source: Robert Spiegel, schools’ human-resources officer

 Newly hired administrative staff for the Arlington Public Schools

Source: Robert Spiegel, schools’ human-resources officer

Aug. 27, 2024: HOLD THE PHONES … 

This news summary by YourArlington freelance writer Lawrence Brown, a journalism student at Northeastern University, was published Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, and updated Sept 18, to add new hires and to correct a first name of a speaker.