Ned Pratt approved as director of pupil personnel services
By Jennifer K. Gray Contributing Writer

Marlborough - School Committee members unanimously approved Ned Pratt as the new Marlborough director of pupil personnel services (PPS) at the committee's Oct. 9 meeting.

The PPS director coordinates programs for the special education, English language learners, and gifted and talented programs. After a thorough review process with the Human Resources Department and a recommendation by Superintendent Barbara Mc- Gann, Pratt went before the School Committee to talk about his previous experience and visions for the district's future.

Committee member Cosmo Valente pointed out that the district has not been able to retain staff for this position. Directors have entered into the position and begun executing changes, only to leave the position empty again. Valente wanted confirmation from Pratt that he would stay with the position. Pratt assured the committee that he would remain.

"I haven't been approved yet, but I don't plan on leaving," Pratt said.

Pratt is currently the acting assistant director of Special Education in the Worcester School District. He has previous experience as an assistant principal and principal and is the father of two children with special needs. Pratt said that he will divide his time between the two districts for the next few weeks and will be ready to begin full time in the Marlborough district Thursday Nov. 1.

Other business

Also at the meeting, McGann said that she is confident that the district is prepared for the upcoming Coordinated Program Review. The state review assures that districts are in compliance with Title I and English Proficiency programs. McGann also updated the committee on curriculum and professional development efforts.

Gabrielle Abrams and Shannon Gilligan, directors of instructional services, discussed progress in the effort to align K-12 curriculum with state standards, explained the steps being taken in the four subject areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts, and addressed questions from the committee.

The School Committee also recognized Marlborough High School seniors Jillian Bailey and Jacobson Blomquist as National Merit Scholarship Commended Students. The students placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.4 million students who took the 2006 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

In addition, the committee approved a recommendation to execute a oneyear lease for the fiscal year 2008 to the Assabet Valley Collaborative High School for the use of the Hildreth School.

The committee tabled a decision on the lease of the Bigelow School; the New Covenant Christian School has leased the property since July 1, 2002. Committee members proposed that the Finance Committee investigate and report on the costs associated with the Bigelow School building upkeep and energy costs before making a decision to issue a RFP for the lease of the school.