Agenda # 3 School Committee 2-28-19

7:00 p.m. – Regular Session

Christ the Rock Fellowship Church

aor #9-3 –     Clerk
(February 20, 2019)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, February 7, 2019.

gb #9-36.1  –  Administration/Miss McCullough/Miss Biancheria/

Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/

Mayor Petty  (February 11, 2019)

To recognize Madelyn Rich, a student at Burncoat High School, for being nominated to audition and for being accepted to an International All Young Women’s Choir that will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Sunday February 11, 2019.

(February 11, 2019)

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

ROS #9-2  –  Administration

(January 30, 2019)

FY20 PRELIMINARY BUDGET ESTIMATES

9-10   The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the persons named below:

Jordan, Janis, Teacher, Special Education, North, MA, Step 8, $75,970 effective February 13, 2019. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities 5-12. *

McHugh, Caroline, Teacher, English as a Second Language, Claremont, BA, Step 8, $69,755 effective February 4, 2019. License pending: English as a Second Language 5-12.*

*prorated

Berthiaume, Joshua                  02/11/19

Jackson, Bryan                          02/11/19

Tokatli, Nicholas                       02/18/19

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

(December 12, 2018)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on all transportation operations that were transferred to the Fremont St. facility and include all administrative vacancies that were advertised along with new or additional bus routes that were added.

to be considered with
8-290.1 and 8-341.1

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

(November 28, 2018)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on the Worcester Public Schools’ bus transportation system and include information relative to the ten new buses operated by the Worcester Public Schools and indicate the routes of said buses.

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

(January 16, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on the In Force Technology (IFT) 911 Software program that allows teachers and other staff members to contact 911 directly in case of emergency.

Mr. O’Connell

(November 12, 2018)

Response of the Administration to the request to review the process by school for requesting changes or additions to bus stops.

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

Mr. Foley

(February 11, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide an update on the new Civics Bill filed by State Senator Harriette Chandler and indicate the impact of it on current and future students.

Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Mayor Petty

(February 13, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the requests to:

–  explore the feasibility of implementing the Orton-Gillingham model for dyslexic students for those students in need of specific services.

–  provide a summary of the Orton-Gillingham model program.

–  study the feasibility of implementing the cost of this program in the FY20 Budget

–  study the feasibility of including students from outside the district, on a tuition basis, if a proposed program is established in the Worcester Public Schools.

Annex B (4 pages)

Annex C (1 page)

Annex D ( 4 pages)

Annex E (7 pages)

(February 1, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $48.00 to Learnwell Education.

(February 7, 2019)

To set a date in April for a public hearing on School Choice.

(February 7, 2019)

To review, and, as appropriate, to comment upon, standards and evidence proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education related to health education and sex education.

(February 8, 2019)

To accept the STARS Residencies FY19 Clark Street Community School Grant in the amount of $5,000.00.

(February 8, 2019)

To accept the Amplify Program Grant in the amount of $1,000.00.

(February 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward letters of congratulations to the following winners of the “Be My Valentine” Contest, sponsored by the Worcester Historical Museum.

HISTORIC (any design in the style of valentines made in Worcester from the late 1840s to 1942)

Grade 3         Hennesy Balbuena    McGrath Elementary School

Grade 4         Leah Cruz      Chandler Magnet School

Grade 5         Jordan Golinski         Lake View School

Grade 6         Benito G. Martinez    Worcester Arts Magnet School

CONTEMPORARY (an original valentine, possibly featuring a favorite

book, story or character)

Grade 3         Chloe Latham Worcester Arts Magnet School

Grade 4         Lily Bocelli      McGrath Elementary School

Grade 5         Jadalise Bonaparte    Lincoln Street School

Grade 6         Celine Astacio Lake View School

VERSE (an original verse by today’s valentine maker)

Grade 3         Patrick Kodra Worcester Arts Magnet School

Grade 4         Imogene Gay Worcester Arts Magnet School

Grade 6         Annabelle Monero     Chandler Elementary School

MASTERS (students in grades 4, 5, and 6 who have won in previous years must enter in the Master’s Competition.  These entries are judged as a group—not by grade level)

Grade 5         Emiy Yoshida Araujo McGrath Elementary School

gb #9-57  – Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Foley/

Miss McCullough/Mr. O’Connell/Mayor Petty

(February 12, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward letters of congratulations to Gerald Snay, track and field coach at Worcester Technical High School’s and to track stars Shawna Thomas from WTHS and Robert Jackson from North High School for being honored to represent the Inter High and the Worcester Public Schools at the 3^rd annual indoor track recognition breakfast at the MIAA Headquarters in Franklin, MA.

(February 12, 2019)

To vote to support H.R. 141, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2019, “to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.”

(February 13, 2019)

To review bid specifications for student transportation services and award contract to lowest responsive and responsible bidder for a contract term to begin in June 2020.

(February 13, 2019)

To forward letters of congratulations to the following members of the South High Community School High School Quiz Team for advancing to the quarterfinals in the WGBH High School Quiz Show with the help of their coaches Kitren Farrell and Kayla Avellino.

Jacob Boatright                   Julio Morales-Mena

Mauricio Tejeda Davila        Galen Greenwald

Samuel Posner                    Jessica Clivio

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a progress report from the committee tasked with coming up with a plan to reduce school suspensions.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider changes to the Student Handbook regarding headwear.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider hiring a Chief Diversity Officer.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration ask the City Council to consider adding a tax to marijuana retailers to help pay for a tutor for every underperforming Worcester Public School student.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration ask the City Manager to consider increasing the Worcester Public Schools’ budget in light of new revenues coming into the city.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward a letter to the State Delegation urging action on the Education Promise Act, a bill to update the funding formula for school districts.

(February 13, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward a letter to the State Delegation requesting a reduction in state spending on prisons and to redirect that funding to public schools.

(February 15, 2019)

Request that the Administration ask the City Manager to provide a report on the Shannon Initiative Grant in the amount of $656,525.14 and indicate how it will impact youth violence and gang activities and work, in conjunction with the Worcester Public Schools, to implement it.

(February 15, 2019)

To set a date to recognize Officer Sean Lovely on his selection as the 2019 Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal.

(February 15, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide an update on the number of lawsuits that are pending before the School District and the School Committee and those that are current lawsuits.

(February 19, 2019)

Request that the Administration seek input by April 2, 2019 from secondary principals regarding changes to the cell phone policy.

(February 19, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide an update on graduation rates by ethnic categories.

(February 19, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $1,300.00 to the CollegeBoard.

(February 20, 2019)

To consider approval of the following donations to Woodland Academy:

$172.00 from various donors from a school fundraiser

$700.00 from Target for field trip

(February 20, 2019)

To request a status report, and to meet with counsel and appropriate administrative personnel, regarding the action of Jane Doe v. Worcester Public Schools et al (Worcester Superior Court Civil Action #18-1920-D, Massachusetts Appeals Court Action #2019-J-0055).

(February 20, 2019)

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the governmental body, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

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