ORANGE — The Mahar School Committee has been busy approving school trips, choosing a delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees annual business meeting and providing financial aid to five low-income advance-placement test takers.
Johanna Bartlett will represent the school at the MASC meeting.
Principal Scott Hamlin said there will be two educations trips taken this year — one for a School Committee members and one for a Student Council member. The Farr Foundation, which believes in “more personal, up-to-date learning” will pay for the trips.
Other trips include an eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., which is expected to cost about $650, and a trip for 21 French students to Quebec, Canada next April. That trip should cost about $800 per student and each will need a passport.
The Student Council reported to the committee that the council is arranging to provide activities for eighth-graders that will “improve student bonding.” It may include use of a water park.
The School Committee also voted to approve the school’s policy manual to the point where it has been updated, and voted to contract out all mowing of the property — recently, both school lawn mowers broke.
The committee reported that a late bus will not be needed this year, and said that it is relieved that Gov. Charlie Baker has not vetoed “rural aid” in the state budget.
Committee Vice-chair Linda Smith reported that all four people serving on a committee to evaluate school Superintendent Tari Thomas gave her “excellent” ratings for commitment to high standards and managing conflict. They also gave her “excellent” or “proficient” ratings for all other standards.
The evaluators said Thomas met many of the goals set, especially in strategic planning, and made significant progress.
“She is transparent in her dealings with (the committee). She is energetic, kind and warm. We are lucky to have her,” the committee reported.
School Committee meetings will continue to be held every other month. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at the high school.