Last School Comm Meeting of Year Included Salute to MJ Scofield

Above, Marie Jane Scofield, former School Committee member, addresses the new Committee.

Last Tuesday’s School Committee meeting included comments from citizens, including a request to make Diwali an official school holiday, a request for access to information about sex ed, a complaint expressed by a parent who said her child was repeatedly disciplined and punished for behavior that is supposed to be dealt with as part of his Individual Education Plan (IEP); making the IEP essentially pointless, she said. Concern also expressed by another parent about the continued mask mandate.

Then Superintendent Sara Ahern [reportedly a finalist for a similar position in Barnstablle, according to Franklin Matters*] reported on several matters including upcoming professional days and progress with unmasking some vaccinated students at the high school. However, she noted, with Covid rates rising and 129 students already on quarantine, a return to mandatory masks for all was a possibility. [This eventually did occur later in the week and masking for all is again the rule at the High School.]

Following Ahern’s report, she said she wanted to make a special recognition of a former School Committee Member, Mary Jane Scofield (known familiarly as MJ), who was swept from office by the Franklin United slate of candidates in the November election.

Ahern noted that MJ served on the School Committee from 1997 to 2007 and then took a 10 year break from the Franklin School Committee. “She then served again from 2015 to 2021, and was part of the school committee that hired me in 2017,” said Ahern. “MJ has been dedicated to Franklin's children not only through the School Committee, but also through other avenues such as PCCs and serving as a youth coach,” she noted. Highlights of her recent tenure in the school committee includes significant contributions to the policy subcommittee, including the homework policy and more equitable dress code policy, a thorough review of the policies for school committee governance, a modern social media policy and very significant, Covid related policies in the 2021 school year. 

Ahern said, she has also served recently as a member of the school start times advisory committee, and the Davis Thayer facilities analysis subcommittee. In her first tenure on the Franklin school committee, she was a major contributor to the Keller-Sullivan building project. “MJ we want to thank you for your deep dedication and contributions to the Franklin Public Schools as a School Committee member, please accept a token and a small gift of our appreciation,” Ahern added, passing a gift bag to Scofield.

Scofield accepted the gift, and then spoke:

“Alright, well, isn't this a little bit awkward? Like really awkward. I do appreciate being asked to return and be recognized. It would be nice to still be a member of The Select Group. But since I'm not I have something that all of you will be searching for soon, and that's free time. It's actually pretty nice.

"Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work with at least 26 different school committee members; I'm sure I've missed some, and five superintendents.

"It's no secret that I wasn't politically aligned with most of them. But we never let that get in the way. We always respected each other's views, talked about our differences, and came up with solutions that could work. It wasn't rocket science, it was people working together to achieve a common goal.

"I could tell many stories but I won’t. But one, I know. There have been countless committee and subcommittee meetings over the years...the 2 am negotiation sessions in the old Franklin High school library...There were some really long meetings: Keller-Sullivan, meetings, dress codes, school start times, Davis-Thayer, and who can forget the policy meetings dealing with masks, some of the most favorite memories.

"But we listened we learned and we moved ahead.

"A few pieces of advice...something I was told years ago by our current town council chair...and I only share it because many of you have younger children. At one point, my son was a younger child, and at one of those negotiating sessions at the high school. I mentioned that I was missing a little league game. And I was told point blank, don't do that. Your kids always come first. That was great advice, Mr. Mercer.

"Keep an eye on what the town council and other boards in town are doing. Because you know that they're going to be watching you. Remind them of the many things that were talked about. During the this past election cycle; review the town charter is one thing that comes to my mind.

"Always ask questions, even if it makes people feel uncomfortable. Softball questions are great, but the tough ones are likely the meaningful ones.

"While you're one of seven on the committee, always remember that you represent a wide range of people in town. Ultimately, you're responsible for ensuring a top-quality education for all of our students, please continue to reach out to not only those with kids in the system...

"You have a tough road ahead of you. And I hope that you all remain true to yourselves. Listen, learn, continue to move the district ahead and always do what's right and best for all. I wish you nothing but success.

"Finally, I'd like to say that I so appreciate the opportunity I was given to serve on the school committee over the years. It was a heck of a ride.”

Chair, Denise Spencer, followed with further encomiums  of MJ and then all of those against whom she ran in November, stood and gave her a standing ovation.

The Committee then heard from Pattie Gay, Interim Director of Lifelong Learning Institute, regarding the challenges the program has faced throughout the pandemic and its current return to something akin to normal.

Later in the meeting, the Committee approved two field trips. One came at the request of teachers Paul Cadenhead and Miguel Carmo to take National Business Honor Society)students to NY City on April 9, 2022 to visit the Stock Exchange, Wall Street and the World Trade Center. Another field trip was approved for DECA students to attend the State Competition in Boston, MA from March 10-12, 2022 under the guidance of teacher Miguel Carmo.

The committee approved minutes of an earlier meeting, future meeting dates, and then went into executive session.

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*  According to a report published on the Cape, Monday, Dec. 20, Ahern is contention for the position with Scott Carpenter, currently superintendent of the Monomy Regional School District with three masters degrees and a doctorate from Northeastern; with June Saba-Maguire, currently with theBrockton Public Schools with a doctorate from BC, masters from Cambridge College, and additional studies at Bridgewater State; and, David Younce, superintendent for the Mill River Unified Union School District in Vermont who holds a master’s degree from Aurora University.