School Committee Agenda #15 – July 23, 2015

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

aor #5-14 – Clerk
(July 14, 2015)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, June 18, 2015.

gb #5-149.1 – Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Miss Ramirez/Mayor Petty/Miss Biancheria
(June 24, 2015)

To recognize representatives from the Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Worcester Educational Development Foundation (WEDF) for all they have done for the children of Worcester by engaging them in cultural learning experiences.

To recognize the Hanover Insurance Group Foundation and Harkins Community Consulting for their creation of a pilot service learning curriculum for the AVID program in the Worcester Public Schools.

The Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports met at 5:34 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

gb #5-169 – Mr. O’Connell
(June 12, 2015)

To set a date to recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the work of AbbVie in refurbishing the library of Burncoat Middle School, in donating 1,500 new books and 10 new iPads to it, and in improving the teachers’ lounge, as part of its Week of Possibilities global volunteering program.

To forward a letter of congratulations to Nelson Place School for being one of seven national grand prize winning schools to be selected in the 2015 Preferred Meals “Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me” art contest.

To accept a donation in the amount of $25.00 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for the Tatnuck Magnet School.

To review the status of the FY16 Budget and make appropriate transfers as required.

To forward a letter of congratulations to Nelson Place fourth grade teacher Donna Quitadamo, and her students for continuing to raise awareness of Whole in the Wall Gang Camp and for raising $18,000 since 2010 to assist children with serious medical and physical challenges.

To accept a donation in the amount of $5,000 from the EOS Foundation in individual amounts of $500 for Healthy Start Awards for the following schools:

• Belmont Street Community School
• Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School
• Elm Park Community School
• Goddard School of Science and Technology
• Grafton Street School
• Jacob Hiatt Magnet School
• Lincoln Street School
• Francis J. McGrath Elementary School
• Vernon Hill School
• Woodland Academy

To review the responses received to the “Teacher School Climate Survey” during 2014-15.

To formulate a plan for restoration of the pool at South High Community School.

Request that the School Committee and the Administration engage in strategic planning to review vision and mission statements and set goals for 2016 for the district that are properly aligned and part of the Superintendent’s goals.

To review the Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures for Student Activity Fund Testing for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years, as prepared by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

To set a date to recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the donation made by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation Community Spirit 9-11 Mini-Grant Program to Thorndyke Road School.

To explore options for refurbishment of the auditorium at Worcester East Middle School to include painting, replacement of the stage curtain, repair or replacement of non-functional seating, and restoration of the stage floor.

To explore options for expansion of Grade 6-8 programming at Worcester East Middle School, and at any other middle schools interested in implementing or expanding a Grade 6-8 program.

To set a date to recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the donation by Good Sports and the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group of sports equipment valued at $5,200 to Doherty Memorial High School, including pitching screens, hitting nets, baseball apparel and equipment bags.

To schedule a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the new Nelson Place School, inviting all members of the School Committee, the City Council, the legislative delegation, key municipal administrators, residents and businesses of the Nelson Place district, design and construction personnel, school benefactors, the media, and – of course – the staff, parents and students of Nelson Place School, following a format and procedure utilized customarily in groundbreakings for new Worcester schools.

To consider participation in the USDA Community Eligibility Program which provides free meals to all students within the Worcester Public Schools.

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding School Liaisons to include the number of them in the system, the areas they work in and indicate the line item which contains their salaries.

Request that the Administration provide an update on the MutualLink Grant as contained in the Collaborative Grant with the Worcester Police Department.

Request that the Administration provide an update on the collaborative efforts between the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Public Schools as outlined in the 2015-16 Memorandum of Understanding.

Request that the Administration forward a letter of appreciation, on behalf of the School Committee, to the University of Massachusetts Medical School for the generous donation of $125,000 for the Skyline Drive Fund to support the Health and Bio Medical Science Program at Worcester Technical High School.

Request that the Administration forward letters of appreciation, on behalf of the School Committee, to the appropriate contacts for the 10 sites of the College Community Connections Program and also include the community sites that provided internships.

To accept a grant in the amount of $135,000 from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) which will provide supports for the head start programs at Millbury Street, Greendale and Mill Swan schools.

To cooperate with the Worcester Bravehearts to introduce its “Be Brave-Hearts Healthy” initiative in the Worcester Public Schools during the Autumn of 2015.

To set a date to recognize those from the City of Worcester Department of Public Health, the Worcester Public Schools’ Facilities Department and the Hector Reyes House for their work in creating and fulfilling the playground Joint Use Agreement.

To accept a grant in the amount of $55,940 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide funds to purchase new up-to-date instructional equipment to support Career Technical Education programs under the Carl D. Perkins Act at the secondary level.

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