Winchester's 10 Biggest School Stories of 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, Winchester Patch will review some of the year's most read and important news stories. On Thursday we looked at the

Today we will focus on the top school/education stories from the past 12 months in Winchester.

1. – After 10 years Paul Austin resigned his position as the boy’s soccer coach. He took a position as the girl’s coach at Arlington.

Austin wrote in a letter to parents that, “having open and honest communication and mutual trust is an important part of a successful team. Players, coaches and parents should show respect for each other and work in a cooperative and collaborative way.” He continued to write, “, I am not confident that this environment exists with this team going forward.

2. - is a Title I school, but it is also 2. considered a “failing” school, according to No Child Left Behind. , and since it is both a Title I school and a “failing” school, the district is required to give parents an option to change schools.

3. – Last year, Winchester had to vote on an override. Winchester Superintendent, William McAlduff, said that if the override were to fail, the school district would have to lay off teachers.

4. – After the MCAS scores were released, the School Committee held a meeting with Lynch parents to discuss the school’s low scores. One parent said that the Winchester School District is no an “equitable elementary school program.”

5. - According to the Boston Herald, former football coach, Paul Sobolewski, was hired by Georgetown High School as its next head coach.

6. – Winchester will be getting a new elementary school. In January, the town voted to approve an override to build a new Vinson-Owen school.

7. – Superintendent McAlduff admitted that he “dropped the ball” with the school choice option Lynch parents have. McAlduff failed to get the information out to parents before the start of the school year, delaying the student transfers from taking place until January.

8. – teacher, Tara Tully, was a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune. She ended up winning $43,000 in cash and prizes.

9. – Concerned parents suggested the school district eliminate peanut butter from the elementary school lunch menu, citing safety concerns for children who have a nut allergy. However, the committee decided to keep peanut butter on the menu.

10. – The Winchester School Committee gave final approval for the state to move ahead with the Tri-Community bikeway, which would connect the towns of Winchester, Woburn and Stoneham. Part of the path crosses through the Muraco School.