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MILLBURY, Mass. — The Millbury School Committee approved the 2013-2014 school calendar, four warrant articles for the annual town meeting and the purchase/lease of a new cooler/freezer for the Shaw School cafeteria during their meeting on Wednesday evening at Millbury High School.
Superintendent Susan Hitchcock said the school calendar was being brought forward a little earlier than in the past because the district wanted to keep ahead of events. Hitchcock said they changed the days for educators' professional development and moved one day to the last day of the school year based on feedback from teachers.
The committee also approved four warrant articles. One involves a revolving account for upkeep and improvements to the student parking area at the high school. District Business Manager Richard Bedard said the money has to be spent on the parking lots and, according to state law, the parking lot work must be pt out to bid every year. Bedard said he hoped the state law would be amended soon so the town would not have to vote on it every year.
Other articles dealt with Medicaid and a school department technology upgrade. The Medicaid outlay is for $96,036. In the technology article, there is $175,000 earmarked for computer hardware and switches.
The fourth article asks $103,000 for new math textbooks. The current books have been deemed deficient by administrators and educators. Hitchcock said the district has put together a book selection committee that will make a decision prior to town meeting and be ready for purchase.
Also approved was a cooler/freezer for the Shaw School. The existing unit, according to Bedard, was purchased in 1975 and is old and leaking fluid on the floor. The district has a bid in place with the Harbour Food Service Equipment company for $33,795 to replace the older model.
Bedard stated that the town will have an initial outlay of $7,000 for delivery and installation of the freezer, then the remaining $26,975 will be spread over two more years in a lease/purchase agreement. At the end of that time, the town will own the freezer.
The School Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the media center of the high school. At that time there will be a budget hearing for FY 2014.
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