TMS to conduct Regionalization Study for North Brookfield

The North Brookfield Public Schools (NBPS) received a Regionalization Study Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and has selected TMS to conduct a study of the potential of regionalizing with a neighboring district. The NBPS have put together an exploratory committee with which TMS will be working to conduct a feasibility study. Two questions will be guiding the work (per the Request for Quotes [RFQ]): (1) Should North Brookfield pursue regionalization? and (2) If yes, then which district would be the best partner(s) for our community, Quabbin Regional School District, Quaboag Regional School District, or Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District?

At the Exploratory Committee’s April 15th meeting, the group voted unanimously to accept the RFQ submitted by TMS. Reasons cited included our local connections to the area, the best written report (citing the Ware Regionalization Study report) and presentation to the Ware community on January 29, 2020 (click this link and search in the Government folder for the 1.29.20 meeting).

In addition to the feasibility study, the Exploratory Committee has also reached out to the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to conduct a demographic study, which will inform the work. TMS is pleased to be able to help the NBPS in this process and we look forward to working with our colleagues at NESDEC.

TMS Welcomes the Bristol-Warren RI District

TMS is pleased to welcome the Bristol-Warren RI Regional School District to its family of clients. We will be providing interim business management services to them for the remainder of the fiscal year. Andy Paquette, TMS President, stated, “In our current situation of social isolation, our remote working model is uniquely suited to provide the district with the services they need.” We look forward to helping them with their business operations and supporting them as they provide remote educational services to their students during this challenging time.

TMS Welcomes the EDCO Collaborative as a Partner

TMS is pleased to announce our partnership with the EDCO Collaborative in Bedford, MA. EDCO is a collaborative of 16 urban and suburban school districts serving the Greater Boston area and beyond. 

EDCO provides a wide range of services, including: professional development for educators, special education services to students through its programs, and shared services such as special education transportation and cooperative purchasing. EDCO also provides services to youth and adults, including the Massachusetts Migrant Education Program, the Special Education Surrogate Parent Program, Wrentham Habilitative Services, the EDCO Title III Consortium, and the EDCO Youth Alternative Program.

TMS is providing business management services to EDCO. Marc Richard, SFO, TMS Financial Consultant, serves as the TMS Liaison to EDCO. We look forward to working with Executive Director, Nadine Ekstrom, and her team to support high-quality services to the youth and adults they serve.

November Newsletter

During this season of gratitude, TMS expresses appreciation to our clients for their partnership and shares recent happenings. You can read our newsletter here.

October Newsletter

October was certainly a busy month for TMS! In addition to filing state reports and providing our partner clients with the services they need, we added two new clients, mentored new administrators, and presented at a major Massachusetts technology conference! Click here to read the details. If you would like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, please send an email to info@themanagementsolution.com.

Lee Public Schools and Union 29 - Lee & Tyringham - partner with TMS

TMS is pleased to announce its most recent partnership with the Lee and Union 29 (Lee & Tyringham) School District. We will be providing business services to them for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Lee is situated in the beautiful Berkshires in the heart of a rich arts and cultural community. The district serves 700 students in grades PK-12. We are glad to be a part of the team with Superintendent, Jake Eberwein.

Dr. Judy Houle, SFO, Vice President of Entrepreneurship, and Michael DeBarge, Associate Consultant for Business Services and Special Projects, will be serving as the TMS Liaisons to the district. Andy Paquette, TMS President, noted that “We are happy to be able to serve the students of Lee and Tyringham, and the staff who support them, in ensuring that they get the resources they need to help every child succeed.”

TMS welcomes the CASE Collaborative

TMS is providing business management services to the Concord Area Special Education (CASE) Collaborative, serving the school districts of Acton-Boxborough Regional, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Concord-Carlisle Regional, Harvard, Lincoln, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional, Littleton, Maynard, and Sudbury in providing a variety of intensive special education programs to their members.

Abby Desjardins, Finance Consultant, will serve as the TMS Liaison to the district. Andy Paquette, President of TMS, stated that, “TMS is pleased to support the CASE Collaborative in the important work of servicing students with special needs and the staff and families who sustain them.”

Marc Richard, Finance Consultant, Earns SFO

TMS is pleased to announce that Marc Richard, Finance Consultant, is the most recent TMS Consultant to successfully complete the requirements for National Certification as an Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO). This program is administered by the Association of School Business Officials International, as a way to recognize leaders in the field of school business administration.

Mr. Richard recently earned his Associate MCPPO status for procurement and purchasing from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which required participating in some rigorous training and passing an exam.

Marc joins Chris Desjardins, Director of Business Services, who earned his SFO certification in August; Judy Houle, Vice President of Entrepreneurship, who earned this certification in May; and Andrew Paquette, TMS President, who is also certified as an SFO. Mr. Paquette is also a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), a distinction awarded by the Association of Government Accountants.

Congratulations to Marc for earning these two certifications!

TMS September Newsletter

TMS launches our 14th year of operations with a new logo and the first newsletter of the season! This monthly email publication is designed to keep our clients and interested friends up-to-date on our work with our partners and happenings with our staff. Click here to read the September edition. If you would like to subscribe to our email newsletter, click the contact us button below and we’ll be happy to add you to the list.

Chris Desjardins, Director of Business Services, Earns National SFO Certification

TMS is pleased to announce that Chris Desjardins, Director of Business Services, has successfully completed the requirements for National Certification as an Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO). This program is administered by the Association of School Business Officials International, as a way to recognize leaders in the field of school business administration.

Mr. Desjardins joins Judy Houle, Vice President of Entrepreneurship, who earned this certification in May and Andrew Paquette, TMS President, who is also certified as an SFO. Mr. Paquette is also a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), a distinction awarded by the Association of Government Accountants.