School Committee Agenda #1 – January 5, 2017

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

aor #7-1 –  Clerk
(December 28, 2016)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, December 15, 2016.

gb #7-1  –    Administration
(December 28, 2016)

To consider input from the School Committee’s student representatives.

ros #7-1  –  Administration
(December 28, 2016)

MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE APPLICATION CELEBRATION (MCAC) DAY

IX.

7-01

The Superintendent has ACKNOWLEDGED the RESIGNATION of the persons named below effective as shown:

Comeau, Karen, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, effective December 23, 2016.

Johnson, Alisha, Teacher, Special Education, Burncoat High, effective 12/16/16.

Porth, Christine, Teacher, Early Childhood, Worcester Technical, VL6, Step 5, $67,027 effective December 19, 2016. License: Early Childhood 9-14.

Torra, Alda, English as a Second Language, Woodland, BA+15, Step 2, $49,819 effective December 13, 2016. License: English as a Second Language 5-12

gb #6-153.6  –  Administration/Miss Biancheria
(December 21, 2016)

Response of the Administration to the request to study the feasibility of providing the Civil Service Exam for Custodians so they can become permanent employees and gain benefits and promotions.

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a comparison between legal costs for the Worcester Public Schools versus other communities of comparable size as either a percentage of the budget or as a raw number.

Response of the Administration to the request to consider submitting an application to participate in the Massachusetts School Building Authority Public School Information Technology Loan Program.

Response of the Administration to the request to provide an update on the window replacements that took place during the Summer and Fall of 2016.

Response of the Administration to the request to provide the following information regarding the evaluations of principals:

–  a description of the prior evaluation process indicating who was responsible for its execution and
–  a description of a current evaluation process indicating who is responsible for its execution and include any changes that have been developed

To review the 2016 Successor Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and the Worcester Public Schools, and to determine the financial costs of implementing it in full, for use in preparation of the fiscal year 2018 Budget.

To review the 2016 Successor Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and the Worcester Public Schools, and to determine the programmatic requirements of implementing it in full.

To urge the individual Worcester public schools, and departments, to review and expand their websites, as a means of (1) increasing the information available through them, (2) showcasing student work and achievements, (3) sharing detailed curricular and programmatic information, and (4) assisting prospective students and parents in making informed decisions as to selection of an appropriate school.

To set a date to recognize the Unum Group for initiating its Unum Strong Schools grant program in the Worcester Public Schools, as “financial support for effective and innovative initiatives that engage students and improve their learning and achievement levels.”

To forward letters of recognition to the following recipients of 2016 grants from the Unum Strong Schools grant program in the Worcester Public Schools:

To approve a decrease in the mileage reimbursement rate from $0.54 per mile to $0.535 per mile, effective January 1, 2017, for all represented and non-represented personnel in accordance with the 2017 standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service.

To set a date to recognize the Burncoat High School Quadrivium on their performance with Superstar Kenny Rogers at Mohegan Sun and at the Massachusetts House of Representatives as the guests of Representative James O’Day and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo.

To accept a donation in the amount of $100.00 from Patience Agyepong & Family to Tatnuck Magnet School.

To accept a donation in the amount of $210.00 from Worcester Superior Court Clerk’s Office & Probation Department in memory of Ronald F. Corey for the Arts Programs in the Worcester Public School.

To accept a donation in the amount of $300.00 from the Shrewsbury Street Area Merchants Association to Belmont Street Community School.

To accept a donation in the amount of $3,000.00 from Scholastic Reading Club to Forest Grove Middle School.

To forward a letter of appreciation to the Flagg Streeters, an after-school group of students who volunteer their time and energy to bring entertainment, assistance and goodwill to the Worcester community.

Request that the Administration forward letters of congratulations to Johnetta Smith, South High Community School’s Band Director and Angela Poirier, Chorus Director for the outstanding Holiday Musical performance and request that a five minute portion of their performance be shown at the next School Committee Meeting.

Request that the Administration forward letters of appreciation to Deborah Cole, Burncoat High School’s Band Director; Dani Rimoni, String Orchestra Director and David Twiss, Chorus Director in appreciation of the excellent Winter Musical Concert.

To accept a donation in the amount of $100.00 from Wayne and Sharon Griffin to Tatnuck Magnet School.

To accept a donation in the amount of $500.00 from Ryder System, Inc. for South High Community School’s Diesel Tech Program.

To accept a donation in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Commonwealth of MA District Attorney’s Office (Mid District) to support a Freshman Basketball Program at Claremont Academy.

Request that the Administration consider raising the amount paid to day-by-day substitutes from $70.00 to $85.00 or more in the 2017-18 school year.

Finding that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigation position of the School Committee, the committee votes to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation and strategy for collective bargaining for a denial of access.

c&p #6-9

To consider a communication from a citizen relative to a request that the School Committee drop its Court Appeal and allow for testing for PCBs at Burncoat High and Doherty Memorial High schools.

gb #6-332

Request that the Administration drop the appeal and allow PCB testing at Burncoat High School and Doherty Memorial High School this school year and do what is necessary to correct the problem.

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Teachers and Unit B, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To consider an International Union of Public Employees (I.U.P.E.) Grievance Complaint – HVAC Technician

Helen A. Friel, Ed.D.
Clerk of the School Committee