The committee is planning to present its recommendations to the selectmen on October 2. The definition of the counselor's duties and reporting structure, however, took longer, she said, because committee members weren't available to meet regularly over the summer. On Monday evening the School Committee approved the MOU with little hesitation. The committee thinks the community assistance counselor's position as described in the memorandum of understanding addresses the shortcomings identified after the town's first counselor, Drew Anderson, left his job after four controversial years. In the MOU, the counselor's general responsibility is to design and implement programs to prevent substance abuse and bullying in both Bromfield and elementary school students in grades four through 12.
Programs are to include parent education and professional staff development.
And it is the Bromfield principal who will conduct the counselor's annual performance review, with a member of the Board of Selectmen. The MOU calls for the counselor to meet twice a month with the school psychologist for professional discussions. Copyright 2001 by The Harvard Post All rights reserved.