School Committee Meeting Overview: Feb. 7

Art curriculum, FY12 Capital Improvement Plan requests and a draft of the school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year were the main topics discussed during last evening's School Committee meeting.

The art curriculum review was first up on the agenda. Gerald Roy and Maryanne Cahan, Foxborough High School art teachers for grades 9-12, were on hand to review and discuss the current art curriculum. However, what was suppose to be a review of the curriculum, turned into a discussion of the past and present achievements for the art department, dating back to 1984.

The Foxborough High School Art Department has achieved many great accomplishments over the past several years. Hundreds of Foxborough students have won Boston Glove Scholastic Art Awards, including a regional gold medal portfolio winner.

Juiliette Weiss, a senior at Foxborough High School and student representative on the School Committee, commended the art department for their devotion to student’s success.

Weiss, an art award winner herself, described how the art department helped in making her dream of working in the arts a reality.

"It is really cool how your hobby and profession can be the same thing," Weiss said.

The School Committee also reviewed the FY12 Capital Improvement Plan requests.

Current requests include:

• Computer/hardware/software upgrades
• Two Full Size School Buses
• Three Copiers
• And paving/curbing of the High School and the Burrell School

Superintendent of Foxborough schools, Christopher Martes, made it clear that the paving of sidewalks at the can no longer be brushed off to the side. The condition of the paving and curbing at the Burrell School continues to deteriorate and therefore poses a danger to students.

In the last minutes of the meeting, Martes proposed changing the school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. The major proposed change would be for school to start before Labor Day. Traditionally, Foxborough students begin school the day after Labor Day.

This change to the calendar, Martes believes, "would help students, families and teachers get reacquainted with their routines, so that when they arrive back to school after the long weekend, they are refreshed and ready to begin their studies."

Martes is open to hearing from students, parents and faculty members regarding this proposed change over the next month.