"In office since 2011, William Hayner seeks his fourth three-year term on the School Committee. Over the years, marking his committee work is a questioning stance and an ability to vote against the grain.
As in the past, the retired educator often shows up early to meetings and was the first to take out nomination papers for the April election, last Nov. 18.
I am running for reelection to continue supporting the students, and teachers in providing the best education we can."
Arlington High School has not had a major renovation since the late 1970s. Repairs have been made over the years as needed. Last year the engineering firm On-site Insight was hired to evaluate all of the mechanical, electrical and infrastructure needs of the building. The report indicates that all of the high school's major systems need updating. In their 20-year schedule for repairs, the vast majority of the repairs would need to be completed in the first year. The complete report can be found on the district website:
http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/administration/ahsfacilities/pdfs/13473_Arlington_High_School_GCNA_PRELIM.pdf
Every ten years, the high school participates in an accreditation process with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In its corrected letter dated September 11, 2013, NEASC placed the high school on warning status for the state of its facilities.
In December, the architectural firm of HMFH (architects for the new Thompson Elementary School) was hired to analyze the programmatic needs of the high school, including the impact of the current building on teaching and learning.
Architect Lori Cowles will present her report to the School Committee on March 6 and to the Board of Selectmen on March 10, both of which will be broadcast on ACMI. In addition, she will present her report to parents and community members on March 12 in the auditorium of the high school from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
A number of people have requested that we offer for tours of the building so that people can see first-hand what the needs of the building are.
We have arranged tours of the high school on the following dates and times (all tours start at the indicated time):
Saturday, March 15 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 18 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 20 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
If you are interested in participating in a tour, please RSVP through the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15evq5b85xOa_-LHx6K_qQEaFeU6_I_3hLnpI-kNLXrg/viewform
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 February 2014 07:09
Written by various sources
ELECTION'S EARLY LOOK: Those who take out papers in races that may be contested in April respond to basic questions about themselves and Arlington.
An engaging bear of a man, Bill Hayner slows his flow of words to narrow down to the one issue facing the Arlington public schools: money.
First to take out papers for a key town board, in November, Hayner seeks a second three-year term on the School Committee.
Explains 2 issues of finances
Asked about the challenges the schools should try to overcome, the 68-year-old retired teacher indicated two, both requiring financial support -- funding to maintain programs as well as aid to continue school rebuilding.
We spoke recently at a crowded KickStand Cafe, as he said he was more comfortable discussing school issues than writing about them.
"We had an inkling of the [funding] issue last spring and then again in summer," he said, referring to rising enrollment and special-education costs.
Town and school leaders involved in dealing with this, including Hayner, began meeting in September. They worked toward an agreement, reached with town officials Jan., to add $885,150 to the school budget for fiscal 2015.
Hayner praised the support of a number of town and school officials, showing one strength that an incumbent has -- to point to a specific way he has addressed a current issue.
As for the school-rebuilding program, continuing on and off in Arlington since 1998, Hayner said he would work to see that support for the last three schools continues -- Stratton, the last of seven elementary schools; the Ottoson Middle School and the high school, whose issues are documented here.
Will state building funds be available?
The question looms: Will the state funding be there for Arlington?
Hayner cited the state School Building Authority's recent rejection of Waltham's request for funding to renovate or rebuild the high school, which faces reaccreditation. The news comes as Arlington will seek to get on the list for state funding for the high school.
"It's not a matter of just getting on the list and waiting," he said.
Earlier in the Arlington school-rebuild process, reimbursement rates were much higher than they are now. The 72-percent rate has fallen to 50 percent, and Hayner foresees funding falling to 20 to 25 percent.
As the Waltham report shows, the money is not assured. This is particularly true in the light of numerous of many requirements school districts face since building funds began to become more doubtful starting in 2003.
Requirements need funding
Those mandates include new testing called PARCC, the program for English language learners named Retell, the Common Core curriculum and the new teacher-evaluation system.
"All these programs mean more money, so what happens to building funds?" he asked, his hands raised a bit to emphasize the question.
To address this, Hayner does not throw up his hands. He prefers not to spell out the details, but he said he is working on a plan with state legislators through the Waltham-based EDCO Collaborative to improve funding support for these mandates.
...
He said that in his three years on the School Committee he has seen "a clear improvement in collegiality among board members."
Asked why, he cited the Massachusetts Association of School Committee's Governance Program and the chair's statement appealing for cooperation delivered at the beginning of each year.
The current vice chairman, he could be the next chairman if he is reelected and voted to the position.
Three three-year School Committee seats are up for the April 5 election. As of Jan. 27, incumbent Paul Schlichtman had taken out papers, as had Jennifer Susse. Incumbent Leba Heigham had not as of Feb. 3.
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Articles from the Election in 2011
