Ashland School Board accepts grant money for COVID expenses
May 12, 2021ASHLAND At their May 4 meeting, the Ashland School Board accepted grant money for Coronavirus expenses, discussed future school improvements to be funded by such grants, and approved a Student Council proposal for an outdoor classroom, the eighth grade class trip and the calendar for the next school year. They also learned of school activities. The School Board held a public hearing on accepting unanticipated grant money from the second round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program, also known as ESSER II, for expenses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The ESSER II allocation to the Ashland School District is $270,983.75. Part of that sum will go to the local Supervisory Union to cover the associated administrative costs. The Board voted unanimously to accept the grant. Superintendent Mary Moriarty also discussed the next grant round ESSER III, money which has yet to be released. The
March 11, 2021ASHLAND Most of the March 2 meeting of the Ashland School Board was devoted to
a non-public session that lasted almost two hours, half devoted to a discussion of a proposed ventilation system for the school building (which included proprietary information), and half to a discussion with an attorney. The School Board later voted to buy a freezer, discussed pandemic issues, and learned of school activities. Assistant Superintendent Trish Temperino reported that the walk in freezer in the school kitchen had failed. It was repaired, but $3,400 worth of food was lost. The Facilities Committee has recommended the replacement of the freezer (which is at least 30 years old) with a new freezer equipped with an alarm system. Maintenance Manager Tim Paquette said that, if the freezer was ordered now, it could be installed during the April school vacation. The School Board agreed, voting unanimously for a new freezer.
Ashland School District warrant goes forward unchanged
February 11, 2021ASHLAND The Ashland School District deliberative session on Feb. 2 in the school gym was quite brief, and was apparently attended only by public officials and school staff. After a delayed start because of technical difficulties, the session lasted just five minutes.
School District Clerk Patricia Tucker, acting as Moderator, read the five articles and asked for comments or amendments. Two questions were asked by Tucker herself, but there were no other comments. The five articles will therefore appear without any amendments on the Ashland school district ballot at the local election on Tuesday, March 9. (Later in the evening, School Board member Leigh Sharps did point out that the proposed 2021-2022 school budget is almost $60,000 less than the default budget.)