School Committee Agenda #2 – February 5, 2015

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

aor #5-2 –  Clerk
(January 28, 2015)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, January 22, 2015.

To recognize Deni Hoxha from South High Community School, on being the grand prize winner in the Film/Video/Song category from the Sodexo Foundation for his project on “Childhood Hunger in the United States.”

To recognize the Quadrivium of Burncoat High School, under the direction of David Twiss, for its work in the community and for being the back-up group for singer Kenny Rogers.

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

ros #5-1  –  Administration
(January 29, 2015)

THE 2014 GRADUATION AND DROPOUT REPORT

c&p #5-2  –  Clerk
(January 28, 2015)

To consider a communication from a citizen regarding North High School.

5-05

The Superintendent has APPROVED the RETIREMENT of the person(s) named below:

Baxter, Deborah, Special Education, effective January 2, 2015
Bramley, Margaret-Mary, Special Education, effective December 3, 2014
Bruen, Frances, Special Education, effective December 31, 2014
Stein, Jacquelyn, Art, effective December 31, 2014
Thompson, Judith, Administration, effective December 31, 2014

Akers, Cynthia, Special Education, effective December 11, 2014
Bowden, Marc, Elementary, effective January 16, 2015
Tozer, Luke, English, effective December 5, 2014

Lacaire, John, Teacher, Drafting, Worcester Technical, VL3, Step 8, $70,865 effective January 26, 2015. Licensed: Drafting Chapter 74, 9-14.
Saffron, Anne, Teacher, Visual Art, Quinsigamond, MA, Step 1, $49,978 effective January 20, 2015. Licensed: Visual Arts Prek-12.
Sheehan, Eric, Teacher, Special Education, Worcester East, MA, Step 3, $55,869 effective January 20, 2015. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities 5-12.

Culbert, John 1/26/15

gb #5-38 – Miss Ramirez
(January 16, 2015)

To discuss the feasibility of establishing a Teacher Residency Program modeled after the Boston Teacher Residency Program which includes participation in a Master’s in Education Program as part of a full year practicum in the Worcester Public Schools under a master teacher who continues to support teachers for the first three years of their career.

To set a date to recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, New England Backpacker, North Face, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the staff and volunteers who make possible the “Let’s Go” program for the students of Worcester East Middle School.

Request that the Administration encourage schools to participate in “February Love a Book Month” initiated by “Worcester: the City that Reads” to continue the campaign to encourage the importance of reading in our community.

To assist Chandler Elementary School in any efforts it chooses to make to install a playground on site for the use and benefit of its students and children generally in the Chandler neighborhood.

To convene a School Committee “listening session” at North High School, to welcome the input and advice of staff, students, parents and other members of the community as to topics of interest and concern they choose to raise regarding their school, and as to any issues of policy and/or budget which they believe the School Committee should address.

To set a date to recognize Jarred Allebach, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church for donations of books to Chandler Magnet School, help in designing a preschool yard and assistance with Earth Day events.

To set the listening session for the Advanced Academy at Doherty Memorial High School.

To consider Statements of Interest to be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for major renovation or replacement projects.

To consider approval of a prior fiscal year payment in the total amount of $360.82.

To accept a grant in the amount of $11,512 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Creativity Innovation Initiative program.

To accept the systemic, culture, climate and safety Action Plan for North High School.

To resume distribution of Incident Reports as to issues within Worcester schools to the members of the School Committee.

To consider the proposed Turnaround Plan for Elm Park Community School.

To discuss strategy in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and to conduct negotiations with nonunion personnel – Superintendent.

To provide an update on litigation relative to elevator fines assessed against the Worcester Public Schools – City of Worcester v. Elevators Maintenance & Service et. al., Worcester Superior Court Civil Action No. WOCV2015-00062-B.

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