Fattman, Fernandes Host Lt. Governor in Milford
Apr 30, 2015 11:10AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Pictured from left to right: Sen. Ryan Fattman; Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito; Scott Harrison (Milford School Committee); Will Kingkade (Milford Selectman).
Boston- State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Webster) and Representative John Fernandes (D-Milford) joined the town of Milford, Massachusetts in welcoming Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito for a tour of the Milford Public School system. Additionally, the Lt. Governor was given special presentation on the English Language Learners (ELL) program that Milford has implemented to offset the influx of ELL students.
“It was a privilege to host Lieutenant Governor Polito in Milford so she can hear firsthand about an ELL program and how it functions in one of our Commonwealth’s schools,” Fattman said. “Milford has developed an impressive program to accommodate the growing population of ELL students; however, schools across the state, including Milford, are struggling financially with the same matter. Today’s meeting was a step-in-the-right-direction to provide our schools with adequate funding and an infrastructure to handle the expansion of the ELL student population.”
Representative Fernandes recently filed a bill, aimed at establishing a state circuit breaker account to assist school districts experiencing new enrollments of 20 or more new English Language Learners over the previous school year. The bill, which Senator Fattman co-sponsored, garnered Republican and Democratic co-sponsorships in both the House and Senate.
“Many school districts across the state, including Milford, have dealt with an unexpected, costly and sizable surge in the number of English Language Learners, which directly impacts already allocated Chapter 70 funding and stresses local classroom resources,” stated Fernandes. “This legislation, if approved, provides a timely infusion of additional aid soon after the new student enrollment numbers are announced in October, which exceed 20 or more students.”
Wednesday’s meeting was led by Milford Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert Tremblay and also included: Milford Town Administrator, Richard Villani; Milford Selectman , Will Kingkade; Chairman of the Milford Finance Committee, Marc Schaen; ELL Director, Jennifer Lancaster; Special Education Director, Meg Belsito; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Kevin McIntyre; Assistant Superintendent for Business and Human Resources, Kathy Perry; Vice Chairman of Milford School Committee, Joe Morais; Milford School Committee Member, Joe Callery; Milford School Committee Member, John Erickson.
Boston- State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Webster) and Representative John Fernandes (D-Milford) joined the town of Milford, Massachusetts in welcoming Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito for a tour of the Milford Public School system. Additionally, the Lt. Governor was given special presentation on the English Language Learners (ELL) program that Milford has implemented to offset the influx of ELL students.
“It was a privilege to host Lieutenant Governor Polito in Milford so she can hear firsthand about an ELL program and how it functions in one of our Commonwealth’s schools,” Fattman said. “Milford has developed an impressive program to accommodate the growing population of ELL students; however, schools across the state, including Milford, are struggling financially with the same matter. Today’s meeting was a step-in-the-right-direction to provide our schools with adequate funding and an infrastructure to handle the expansion of the ELL student population.”
Representative Fernandes recently filed a bill, aimed at establishing a state circuit breaker account to assist school districts experiencing new enrollments of 20 or more new English Language Learners over the previous school year. The bill, which Senator Fattman co-sponsored, garnered Republican and Democratic co-sponsorships in both the House and Senate.
“Many school districts across the state, including Milford, have dealt with an unexpected, costly and sizable surge in the number of English Language Learners, which directly impacts already allocated Chapter 70 funding and stresses local classroom resources,” stated Fernandes. “This legislation, if approved, provides a timely infusion of additional aid soon after the new student enrollment numbers are announced in October, which exceed 20 or more students.”
Wednesday’s meeting was led by Milford Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert Tremblay and also included: Milford Town Administrator, Richard Villani; Milford Selectman , Will Kingkade; Chairman of the Milford Finance Committee, Marc Schaen; ELL Director, Jennifer Lancaster; Special Education Director, Meg Belsito; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Kevin McIntyre; Assistant Superintendent for Business and Human Resources, Kathy Perry; Vice Chairman of Milford School Committee, Joe Morais; Milford School Committee Member, Joe Callery; Milford School Committee Member, John Erickson.
