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School Committee Agenda #17 – May 19, 2016

CLERK OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
20 IRVING STREET
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01609

AGENDA #17

The School Committee will hold a regular meeting:
on: Thursday, May 19, 2016
at: 6:00 p.m. – Executive Session
7:00 p.m. – Regular Session
in the: Esther Howland, South Chamber at City Hall

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

I. CALL TO ORDER  –  REGULAR MEETING
INVOCATION – Reverend Clyde Talley
Belmont AME Zion Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS

aor #6-13 –   Clerk
(May 6, 2016)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Annex A (27 pages)
aor #6-14 –   Clerk
(May 11, 2016)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, May 5, 2016.

Annex A (6 pages)
IV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION – NONE
V. IMMEDIATE ACTION

gb #6-155.1  –   Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough/Mayor Petty
(May 5, 2016)

To recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the donation of a “hybrid food truck” to the Worcester Public Schools, by the Stop and Shop Family Foundation and the Worcester County Food Bank.

gb #6-165.1 –    Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Ms. Colorio/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough/Mayor Petty
(May 5, 2016)

To recognize Sebastian Kopacz, a 12th grade student in the Worcester Technical High School electrical program, on his selection by The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Vocational Association (MVA) as one of 52 Massachusetts students honored at the 30th Annual Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award Banquet at Mechanics Hall.

gb #6-170.1  – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Monfredo/Mayor Petty
(May 6, 2016)

To recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the organizers and volunteers of the Working for Worcester initiative, which enlisted the assistance of 1,100 volunteers in projects which benefited the Worcester Public Schools, the young people of Worcester, and the citizens of Worcester generally.

gb #6-176.1  – Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. Foley/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty
(May 6, 2016)

To recognize the following donors who graciously contributed funds for the CPR (compression training)/AED program to begin in September in all secondary schools:

–        Worcester District Medical Society
–        The Hanover Insurance Group
–        Greater Worcester Foundation
–        Worcester Educational Development Foundation
–        CVS Health
–        Worcester County Sheriff’s Association
–        UMASS Medical School
–        Spectrum Health Services
–        Ryan P. Quinn Memorial Golf Tournament
–        Ann Day and Donna Enberg
–        Richard and Kathleen Perry
–        Elinor Lamberton

gb #6-179  –   Administration
(May 11, 2016)

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

VI. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT – NONE
VII. COMMUNICATION AND PETITION – NONE
VIII. REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Student Achievement meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Room 410 at the Dr. John E. Durkin Administration Building.

 IX.

 

6-20

PERSONNEL

The Superintendent APPROVED the RETIREMENT of the person named below:

Pryor, Barbara, Teacher, Library Media, South High Community School, effective April 30, 2016

6-21 The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the person named below:

Carabba, Angela, Teacher, Special Education, WEMS, BA+15, Step 4, $55,836, effective April 29, 2016

6-22 The Superintendent has provisionally APPOINTED the persons named below to the position of Junior Custodian, permanent/fulltime at a salary of $15.28 (minimum) to $19.17 (maximum), per hour, effective as shown:

Dufault, Todd                     4/25/16
Holloway, Shane                 4/25/16

6-23 The Superintendent has APPOINTED the person named below to the position of Aide to the Physically Handicapped, permanent/fulltime at a salary of $16.06 (minimum) to $19.78 (maximum) per hour, from Civil Service List #315-078, effective as follows:

Cruz, Herminia                     4/25/16

X. GENERAL BUSINESS

gb #6-180  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 2, 2016)

Request that the School Committee consider approval of the following language to be included into the Wellness Policy for the 2016-17 Policies Handbook:

All students in grades 7 – 12 will receive instruction in physical education classes in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and on the use of the external automated defibrillator (AED).

 gb #6-181  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 4, 2016)

To set a date to recognize Mary-Margaret Mara a pre-school teacher at Chandler Magnet School for having been selected as a finalist in the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award.

 gb #6-182  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 4, 2016)

To set a date to recognize Elizabeth Bria, the Editor for the Worcester Telegram’s Happy Time Page Section, for encouraging students to write or draw designs for this section of the paper which has been in existence for 65 years.

 gb #6-183  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 9, 2016)

To set a date to recognize Dr. Richard Howath, a teacher at North High School, for his creation of a TEDxNorthHighSchool Program which was presented on May 7, 2016 and forward congratulatory letters to the participants.

gb #6-184  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 9, 2016)

Request that the Administration inform the schools about the Annual Reading in Our City Week from June 5 – 11 which was initiated by Worcester: the City that Reads and involve staff in preparing their students in meaningful literacy events and to highlight summer reading with both students and parents.

 gb #6-185  – Miss Biancheria
(May 10, 2016)

Request that the Administration provide clarification on the parking spaces at the Durkin Administration Building designated for School Committee or the Handicapped and include a list of all individuals who have DAB passes and explain the way in which the parking lot is monitored.

 gb #6-186  –   Miss Biancheria
(May 10, 2016)

Request that the Administration provide a copy of the Job Description for the Chief Human Resources Officer.

 gb #6-187  –   Miss Biancheria
(May 10, 2016)Request that the Administration provide a report on the services provided, including reading services, for students classified as deaf and in need of services in the Special Education Department.
 gb #6-188  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 11, 2016)Request that the Administration forward letters of congratulations to the art and music liaisons for the splendid work done at the Art Festival and at the Meet the Artist Night event.
 gb #6-189  –   Administration
(May 11, 2016)To accept a donation from Lou Anne & John Branche in the amount of $5,000 for McGrath Elementary School.
gb #6-190  –   Ms. Colorio
(May 11, 2016)

Request that the Administration provide a report describing the process of computing the excused and unexcused student absences for accountability purposes.

gb #6-191  –   Ms. Colorio
(May 11, 2016)

Request that the Administration provide:

  • a list of daily student and staff activities to include, but not be limited to, common planning, recess and professional development
  • a list of parent involvement activities and
  • MCAS student data results for the last 3 years

at Vernon Hill School.

gb #6-192  –   Miss McCullough
(May 11, 2016)

Request that the Administration inform students and staff about the dangers of participating in the “Space Monkey Challenge” in order to educate and protect children from the consequences of this game.

gb #6-193  –   Mr. Monfredo
(May 11, 2016)

Request that the Administration alert the public about the Latino Dollars for Scholars Program which will take place on May 21, 2016 at the Manor Restaurant, 424 West Boylston Street at 5:30 p.m. and the cost of tickets is $35.00.

gb #6-194  –   Administration
(May 11, 2016)

To accept a donation from the Eos Foundation for the total amount of $5,500 which would grant $500 to each of the schools listed below for their commitment to support universal free, after the bell, breakfast in the classroom (BIC) as a powerful tool to fight childhood hunger, and boost academic achievement in our high-need communities:

Belmont Street Community SChool School

Elm Park Community School

Goddard School of Science and Technology

Lincoln Street School

Francis J. McGrath Elementary School

Quinsigamond School

Rice Square School

Union Hill School

Vernon Hill School

Wawecus Road School

Woodland Academy

 gb #6-195  –   Administration
(May 11, 2016)To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for all Collective Bargaining Agreements, 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 in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and to conduct negotiations with nonunion personnel – Superintendent-Elect.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

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

“The Worcester Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer/Educational Institution and does not discriminate regardless of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness. The Worcester Public Schools provides equal access to employment and the full range of general, occupational and vocational education programs. For more information relating to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action contact the Human Resource Manager, 20 Irving Street, Worcester, MA  01609, 508-799-3020.”