Students Honored, Employee Appointed at Meeting

The School Committee’s tasks at its Wednesday meeting included the appointment of a new Special Education Administrator, the increase of school lunch prices and recognizing several students for their recent work.

Board members gave School Committee student representatives Michaela D’AmBrosio and Kelly Wilcox certificates for their monthly appearances in front of the board.

Superintendent of Schools Joanne Benton said that while it is a state requirement to have representatives, it is still impressive to see how organized and efficient Wilmington’s participants have been.

“We’ve had such wonderful representatives over the last few years,” said Benton. “It’s excellent to see the kids participate in a civic endeavor.”

Next on the agenda was an appearance by and his brother Jeremy. Board and audience members watched a video the duo created for the School Wellness Committee at North Intermediate School.

The video stressed the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, was filmed at North and featured appearances by several teachers and students.

“These are to young men to watch out for in the future,” said School Committee Chairman Margaret Kane.

Later in the meeting, Mary Houde was appointed as the district’s Special Education Administrator. Houde came to Wilmington in 1997 as an Educational Assistant before she became an Alternative Education teacher at the high school in 1999.

Houde served a variety of roles in the district before she became the Interim Administrator for Special Education this year, a role that became permanent on Wednesday night.

Wilmington’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council gave a glowing recommendation for Houde.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say it makes us feel secure that once again Mrs. Benton has added someone of high quality and good standards who is going to do a good job,” said Kane.

Finally, the School Committee accepted a motion to increase school lunch prices across the district by $.05 for both students and adults. The move comes as a result of legislation that was passed under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Despite the increase, Benton said Wilmington continues to have the lowest priced lunches in the Merrimack Valley.

“No one wants to increase the price of cafeteria food, but it’s something by law we have to do,” said board member Robert Hayes.

With multiple groups before the School Committee on Wednesday, Benton joked it was something that should become a regular occurrence.

“We ought to be doing recognition every meeting,” said Benton. “That’s when we get the big audiences."