CNBNews

By Linda Boker-Angelo

NEWS Correspondent

Members of the Gloucester City Board of Education were pleased last week to once again hear comments by the Students of the Month selected to represent each of the City School District’s schools.

Junior Jackie Weichman spoke about some winter events going on at Gloucester City High School.

Principal Jack Don praised Weichman for her grades and participation in many extracurricular activities, including the Leo Club and the Choir.

Weichman would like to one day attend Maine College of Arts, and eventually enter the Peace Corp.

Sara Deetz, a fifth grader at Mary Ethel Costello School, talked about some of the programs at Costello.

Deetz is an honor student and plays basketball and softball.

“Mary Ethel is a school full of bright and energetic students,” she stated.

Third grader Trinity Booth told board members about some upcoming events planned for the children at Cold Springs School.

Jeffrey Munoz, 18, has been at the Highland Park Program for Success for four years. He thanked former principal George Henry and current principal Victoria Ernst for their support and assistance.

Munoz said he likes the people with whom he goes to school, his teachers and the class trips.

“He’s just a really helpful, generous young man,” commented Ernst.

During the public forum, resident Michael Hopkins questioned how the district verifies that students actually reside in the city.

Superintendent Paul Spaventa said there are individuals whose specific job is to verify student residence and investigate claims of non-residency.

Hopkins complained that he has been cited by the City for children, of whom he was not made aware, living in his rental properties.

Board president Louisa Llewellyn directed Hopkins to go to the City for assistance with his problem, as the Board of Education would have nothing to do with Certificate of Occupancy issues.

The Board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, for a caucus session. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 9 at 7 p.m. in the GHS media center.

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