Agenda #17 School Committee October 3, 2019

7:00 p.m. – Regular Session

                     (September 25, 2019)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, September 19, 2019.

To recognize Sarah Kyriazis, Manager of Instructional Technology and Digital Learning, on her selection as recipient of the 2019 Administrator Award from MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators).

To recognize the Worcester Bravehearts as Champions of the Future Collegiate Baseball League and for its community service activities in the Worcester Public Schools and in the community.

To recognize Darya Kuruna, an art teacher at Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School, for the creative painting of 30 Murals at her school.

To recognize Barbara Sargent, Nicole Delamere, Phil King and Mary Scully for receiving exemplary program recognition by Governor Baker for its 21^st Century Out of School Time Program.

To forward letters of congratulations to the following students who received the AP Capstone Diploma and their teachers:

Sara Gace                Doherty Memorial High School
Alyssa Goins            South High Community School
Gia-Han Le               South High Community School
Tu T. Luu                 South High Community School
Sarah White             South High Community School

and the following students who received the AP Seminar and Research Certificate:

Rolanda Nubuor       Burncoat High School
Lauren Pichette        Burncoat High School
Gabriella Vallejo       Burncoat High School
Tranh Nha Tran        Claremont Academy

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a list containing the number of homeless students and indicate the sites and ways in which the School Committee can provide help to them.

OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Chief Diversity Officer

Perez, Ivonne

Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to meet with representatives of the Worcester Red Sox, at an appropriate time, to discuss a preference for Worcester students in filling of internships and summer employment positions with the team.

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to consider hiring a Chief Diversity Officer.

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to consider creating an initiative to provide more services and support for the system’s approximately 2500 homeless students.

Mr. O’Connell

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to invite Tina Grosowsky, Project Coordinator for the Central Massachusetts Tobacco Free Community Partnership, to give a short presentation on the issue of vaping.

Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/

Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on district processes and compliance with MGL c222 and make any necessary proposals for changes in policy and procedure.

(September 25, 2019)

Responses of the Administration to the motions from the FY20 Budget:

500130‐92000 Personal Services (Non Salary)

    500130‐96000 Personal Services (Non Salary)

Request that the Administration provide a report on ways in which to control the cost for legal fees.                     Mr. Monfredo

500132‐92000 Special Education Tuition

Request that the Administration provide a report on the ways in which students with dyslexia are being serviced in the Worcester Public Schools.

Miss Biancheria

Annex A 9 (1 page)

Annex B (3 pages)

Miss McCullough  (September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to invite representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Center for District Support to make a presentation on the district’s accountability and disciplinary data.

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to review pick-up and drop-off policies for all schools to ensure student safety and smooth traffic flow.

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to consider implementation of a pilot program in Worcester, modeled on that implemented by the Las Vegas City Council, to allow parking tickets to be paid with donations of school supplies for the benefit of the Worcester Public Schools.

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide information regarding the hiring of a Health Educator with the new funding from the State, to deal with students on drug related issues and vaping.

Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell

(September 25, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report to include the activities that took place and the number of students who participated in the Jump Start programs at the secondary schools in August 2019.

Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. O’Connell

(September 19, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to consider offering half day professional development for staff in light of the training provided to principals that dealt with SEL, the impact of homelessness and foster children and on disciplinary alternatives.

Request that the Administration consider raising the pay of substitute teachers and giving retired Worcester Public School teachers additional compensation.

Request that the Administration establish a committee by November to include early learning teachers to review the two year kindergarten 1 program for students who are four years old and lack the necessary readiness skills for school success.

(September 20, 2019)

Request that the Administration and the School Committee forward a letter to our local delegation and the Governor supporting the “Student Opportunity Act” which is modeled after the “Promise Act.”

(September 23, 2019)

Request that the Administration expand its “Worcester Future Teachers” program and have the Diversity Officer recruit the best and brightest students into the program as part of our “Grow Your Own” teaching recruitment program.

(September 24, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment to Eagle Leasing in the amount of $109.00.

(September 24, 2019)

To approve prior year fiscal payments to Needham Electric in the total amount of $894.10.

(September 24, 2019)

To approve prior fiscal year payments to Richard G. Boulanger, Arbitrator in the total amount of $10,541.52.

(September 24, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment to Real Time Court Reporting in the amount of $679.50.

(September 24, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment to Shred It in the amount of $420.00.

(September 24, 2019)

To consider approval of the following donations:

–  $250.00 Staples gift card to Jacob Hiatt Magnet School from Country Bank for their participation in the Savings Makes Sense School Banking Program

–  $250.00 from a donor to the Patricia Falcone Memorial Scholarship

(September 24, 2019)

To approve a travel reimbursement to the Chief Human Resources Officer in the amount of $147.92 for in-state travel to Boston for EAW hearings.

(September 24, 2019)

To consider amendments to the current Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use by Students Prohibited Policy as contained in both the Student Handbook and the Policy Manual.

(September 25, 2019)

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and to conduct collective bargaining regarding Grievance #19/20-3.

To discuss strategy with respect to litigation for Worker’s Compensation- Teacher, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To discuss strategy with respect to litigation-Teacher, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Aides to the Physically Handicapped and Bus Monitors, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the School Committee and the chair so declares – Educational Association of Worcester and Worcester School Committee, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, Case No. CAS-19-7323.

To discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares – Worcester School Committee v. International Union of Public Employees, Tradesmen, Local – 135 and International Union of Public Employees, Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local – 125, Worcester Superior Court Civil Action No. 1885CV01520.

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