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Tom Fitzgerald Joins Mascoma Valley Regional School District as High School Principal

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Mascoma Valley School District 

Amanda Isabelle, Superintendent

Rt. 4
PO Box 789
Enfield, NH 03748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003

Email: [email protected]

Tom Fitzgerald Joins Mascoma Valley Regional School District as High School Principal

Tom Fitzgerald began his new role as Mascoma Valley Regional High School’s principal on Monday, July 1. (Courtesy Photo Mascoma Valley Regional School District)

ENFIELD, N.H. — Superintendent Amanda Isabelle is pleased to announce that Tom Fitzgerald will serve as the new Principal at Mascoma Valley Regional High School.

Fitzgerald, of Lempster, began his new role on Monday, July 1.

The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board selected Fitzgerald to be the school’s principal for the 2019-2020 school year on March 26.

“We are so excited that Tom will be joining us this fall as Mascoma Valley Regional High School’s new principal,” Superintendent Isabelle said. “He has years of experience as both an administrator and an educator, which will be incredibly valuable as he works with faculty and staff this school year to meet the district’s goals for student success.”

From 2014 through this school year, Fitzgerald worked as the principal at Twin Valley Middle High School in Whitingham, Vermont, where he oversaw a renovation of the school facility, combined middle and high school programming under one roof and implemented a new schedule, safety plan and building level leadership team.

Prior to working in Whitingham, Fitzgerald served as the principal at Poultney High School in Poultney, Vermont from 2010-2014; principal at the Goshen-Lempster School in Lempster from 2006-2010; district administrator for SAU 71 in Lempster from 2008-2009; and principal at Rindge Middle School in Jaffrey from 2001-2006.

He began his career in education as an English teacher at Hinsdale High School from 1994-2001.

“My goal is for Mascoma Valley Regional High School to be the best high school in the state of New Hampshire,” Fitzgerald said. “My immediate goal is to be the best high school in the Upper Valley. I’m excited to build a comprehensive high school program that will support student success at all levels, in all areas of growth.”

Fitzgerald holds a master’s degree in education leadership from Keene State College, bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Hawthorne College and completed the teacher certification program at Franklin Pierce College.

Fitzgerald is also certified as a New Hampshire School Administrator 0003 and 0005, New Hampshire Experienced Educator Secondary English, 0500, Vermont level 2 principal K-12 and Vermont level 1 superintendent K-12.

Fitzgerald replaces former Mascoma Valley Regional High School Principal James Collins, who held the position for 15 years.

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Mascoma Valley Sixth Grade Student to Run Half Marathon for Positive Tracks

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Mascoma Valley School District 

Amanda Isabelle, Superintendent

Rt. 4
PO Box 789
Enfield, NH 03748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Email: [email protected]

Mascoma Valley Sixth Grade Student to Run Half Marathon for Positive Tracks

Gunner Currier, a sixth grade student at Indian River Middle School, will run a half marathon this June to raise money for Positive Tracks, a nonprofit that encourages young people to use exercise as a platform for social change. (Courtesy Photo Mascoma Valley Regional School District)

ENFIELD, N.H. — Superintendent Amanda Isabelle is pleased to share that an Indian River Middle School Student is using his passion for running to raise funds for Positive Tracks.

Positive Tracks is a nonprofit that encourages young people to use exercise as a platform for social change.

Gunner Currier, a sixth grade student, set a goal this November to raise $500 for the nonprofit. As of Tuesday, May 28, Currier had raised $520 through a  Crowdrise page he created. As part of his fundraising campaign, Currier will also be running the Covered Bridges Half Marathon on Sunday, June 2, in Pomfret, Vermont.

Currier was inspired to raise money for the group after the nonprofit supported his cross country team during its 2018 Fun Day fundraiser. In the spring of 2018, the Indian River School Track and Cross County Team held its first Fun Day — a day of activities for children of all ages to raise money to support its program. The teams raised $1,000 that day, which Positive Tracks matched.

Positive Tracks also matched $300 in funds that students raised at their second annual Fun Day event on Sunday, May 19, and has supported individual members of the team in their initiatives to raise money for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) Hero Half Marathon.

“It’s such a pleasure to see one of our middle school students taking the initiative to thank an organization for supporting his team,” Superintendent Isabelle said. “Gunner’s decision to run this half marathon to raise funds also makes it clear that this nonprofit’s mission has really resonated with him, and he’s using running, one of his favorite pastimes, to make an impact.”

Currier ran his first half marathon when he was 8 years old. He holds the state record for fastest time for a 9-year-old to run a half marathon, at 1 hour and 57 minutes, and the record for the fastest 10 year old to run a half marathon, at 1 hour and 47 minutes. He holds the record as the fastest 8, 9, and 10-year-old to run a 12 kilometer race in the state as well.

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Mascoma Valley Regional School District Provides Update on Dining Services Issue

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Mascoma Valley School District 

Amanda Isabelle, Superintendent

Rt. 4
PO Box 789
Enfield, NH 03748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Mascoma Valley Regional School District Provides Update on Dining Services Issue

ENFIELD, N.H. — Superintendent Amanda Isabelle and the Mascoma Valley Regional School District wish to provide an update to the community regarding the widely-reported dining services issue that has been occurring and remains ongoing in the district.

Last week, Superintendent Isabelle met with officials from Cafe Services, SAU 62’s dining vendor for more than 25 years, regarding the termination of a part-time cafeteria worker who was employed by Cafe Services at Mascoma Valley Regional High School. After that meeting, Cafe Services agreed to review its training, supervision and disciplinary procedures. The company also agreed to extend an offer of re-employment to the former employee, with back pay for time lost.

However, in light of information recently brought forward by a parent, the school district is rescinding its demand that the employee be rehired.

The district has commissioned an independent administrative review of all facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, with a report to be furnished to the superintendent, provided to the school board and ultimately released to the public.

“We have been overwhelmed by a crush of national and international media interest in this incident, but I do not believe we have yet seen a full and complete retelling of the facts,” Superintendent Isabelle said. “Therefore, we will compile a thorough report on this investigation, and we will make the findings of the independent investigator public. The public, especially our 1,200 families and the thousands of citizens of the communities we serve, deserve nothing less.”

So long as Cafe Services remains committed to re-evaluating and updating its policies, Superintendent Isabelle is confident that the company will be able to fulfill its contract with the SAU for 2019-2020 school year, providing fresh, nutritious food to its more than 1,200 students, including 360 who receive free lunch every day. The district will re-evaluate its food services contract next year, as it does every year.

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Statement of Mascoma Valley Regional School District Superintendent Amanda Isabelle Regarding Dining Services

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Mascoma Valley School District 

Amanda Isabelle, Superintendent

Rt. 4
PO Box 789
Enfield, NH 03748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, May 17, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Statement of Mascoma Valley Regional School District Superintendent Amanda Isabelle Regarding Dining Services

ENFIELD, N.H. —  A recent occurrence with the Mascoma Valley Regional School District’s dining services has reminded school administrators of their mission: to prepare students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens in an ever-changing world. This situation reminds us all that we are lifelong learners.

Superintendent Amanda Isabelle has today spoken with the owners of Cafe Services, SAU 62’s Manchester-based dining vendor, regarding the employment of a part-time cafeteria worker who was terminated in March.

Cafe Services has agreed to invite the employee to return to her previous position immediately, with back pay for the time she missed.

The district will work with Cafe Services to review food services policies to ensure that they meet best practices and that there are no conflicts between district and vendors. The goal of this is to ensure that the school district, the vendor, and their employees do not face the uncertainty and allegations levied in this situation in the future.

“First and foremost, it is our goal to do right by our families, community, students and employees at the Mascoma Valley Regional School District. The events of these past few weeks and the feedback I have received from parents has given me considerable pause,” Superintendent Isabelle said. “As a school district, we understand the importance of rules and procedures, but upon reflection, I have become sufficiently convinced that it is wrong of us to assume that all the responsibility falls to the vendor, and I do not believe our communities would accept that explanation of this situation. We must be accountable for the people who work in our schools.”

There are, as there tend to be with rumors that circulate on social media, a number of inaccuracies in the reports that are circulating. The Mascoma Valley Regional School District wishes to state for the record:

  • The school district serves approximately 1,200 students in four regional schools in five towns in western New Hampshire. Approximately 360 (30 percent) of its students receive free lunch.
  • The school district does not refuse to provide food to a hungry child who cannot afford to pay .
  • The district’s policy regarding free lunches is that students will always be provided with meals, milk, fruits and vegetables. There are, however, items such as ice cream bars, sports drinks and chips that are not provided for free. Those packaged items have a high unit cost to the district and are not viewed as essential nutrition.
  • The district will ensure that all food services staff, including employees of external vendors, are properly trained on food distribution policies.

Superintendent Isabelle also understands that this situation has created a serious and worthwhile discussion about the school district’s contract with its food services vendor.

“Our contract with Cafe Services was renewed only after a review of its ability to deliver comprehensive, whole and nutritious meal plans for our students including free lunch for those who need assistance,” Superintendent Isabelle said.

Two vendors submitted bids for the district’s food service contract for the 2019-2020 school year. Cafe Services is a net-positive vendor, meaning that its contract with the district actually results in an annual profit, which goes directly into the school budget. The only other bid would have been revenue neutral in a best-case scenario.

The district has requested the right to be released from its contract with Cafe Services for next year, which would re-open the public bidding process. However, it is Superintendent Isabelle’s hope that the district, the communities and Cafe Services can move forward with these changes, and she is optimistic after Cafe Services agreed to the requests to reinstate the employee, with pay and review its policies.

“I believe we have all learned something through this process,” Superintendent Isabelle said.

Mascoma Valley Regional School District also offers a variety of programs and supports for those struggling with food security, including a food bank that operates out of the high school and a table in the high school lobby where students can take granola bars, apples and other snacks for free during the school day, no questions asked. The district also participates in the End 68 Hours of Hunger program, which supplies students in need with food for the weekend. Mascoma Valley also operates multiple locations in the summer where anyone under the age of 18 can visit and receive a free breakfast and lunch, and coordinates donations of food for students over school vacations and holidays.

Friends Feeding Friends, a program of the local charity group Friends of Mascoma, also works with the school to stock the high school food pantry and provide snacks for teachers to make available to students in their classrooms.

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