School Committee Agenda #2 – January 19, 2017

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

aor #7-2 –  Clerk
(January 11, 2016)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, January 5, 2017.

gb #7-21  –  Administration
(January 9, 2017)

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

ros #7-2  –  Administration
(January 11, 2017)

DISTRICT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PCBs

7-03

The Superintendent has ACKNOWLEDGED the RETIREMENT of the persons named below effective as shown:

Granlund, Marie, Teacher, Reading, Sullivan, effective January 1, 2017.

McFarland, Maryann, Teacher, Art, City View, effective December 31, 2016.

Ring, Robin, Teacher, Elementary, Flagg, effective January 3, 2017.

Melvin, Christina, Department Head, Vocational, Worcester Technical High School effective December 31, 2016.

DeForge, Jennifer, Teacher, Vocational, Worcester Technical, VL4, Step 6, $65,689 effective January 3, 2017. Waiver: Animal Science 9-14.Donas, Christine, Teacher, English, Sullivan Middle, BA, Step 3, $51,077 effective January 3, 2017. Licensed: English 8-12.

Hayes, Laura, Teacher, Special Education, Grafton Street, MA, Step 2, $53,437 effective January 3, 2017. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities Prek-8.

Melcher-Haddada, Elizabeth, Teacher, Special Education, CAGS/2MA, Step 8, $77,399 effective January 3, 2017. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities 5-12.

Sowersby, Matthew, Teacher .8FTE, Music, Systemwide, MA, Step 1, $50,978 (prorated), effective January 3, 2017. Licensed: Music – All Levels.

gb #6-311.1  – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Ms. Colorio/Miss McCullough/Miss Biancheria
(January 9, 2017)

Response of the Administration to the request to review the October 1, 2016 enrollment reports of the Worcester Public Schools.

Response of the Administration to the request to consider teaching Charlie Ball’s “The Smiley Face Song” in honor of Worcester native Harvey Ball, the creator of “The World Wide Smiley Face.”

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on the Junior ROTC Programs to include:

– the number of participants and

– a description of their community projects/activities for 2015-16 and 2016-17

Response of the Administration to the request to provide a list of all teachers and administrators, currently employed by the Worcester Public Schools, who are in violation of expired licenses including temporary, preliminary, initial and professional licenses and also provide recommendations as to ways to correct these violations.

To present a five minute portion of the Holiday Musical performance from the South High Community School’s Band.

Request that the Administration consider having the Worcester Public Schools participate in Worcester: the City that Reads “February – Love a book month” by having the schools engage in meaningful literacy activities.

To consider making an online grading system available to all teachers for the 2017-18 academic and fiscal year.

To accept the Bill Belichick Foundation Grant in the amount of $10,000 for Lacrosse at Doherty Memorial High School.

Request that the Administration support the Worcester Historical Museum’s annual “Be Our Valentine Contest” by encouraging the schools from grade 3 to 6 to participate.

To accept the Patterson Partnership Grant in the total amount of $14,000 for the following schools:

Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School         $3,000

Rice Square School                                                          $4,000

Worcester East Middle School                                         $7,000

Request that the Administration make a presentation on the projected FY18 Budget to the Joint Standing Committee on Finance and Operations and the City Council’s Standing Committee on Education.

To recommend that the Superintendent (1) interact with the staff of Quinsigamond School and the EAW as to the recent “no confidence” vote, and (2) share with the School Committee for informational purposes any appropriate status reports and recommendations for actions which are within the proper purview of the School Committee.

To set a date to recognize the Service Club of St. Mary Elementary School of Shrewsbury for its donation of 1,601 “gently used” and individually wrapped books to the students of Columbus Park Preparatory Academy.

To set a date to recognize the Student Kindness Ambassadors of South High Community School, and the students and staff of South, Generation On and Hasbro Toys for working together through the Kindness Joy Maker Campaign and otherwise to donate, wrap, tag and distribute holiday season gifts to children of Abby’s House Shelter and the Village Shelter.

To explore ways in which the Worcester Public Schools can encourage greater levels of student participation and attendance at the Veterans Day events.

To accept the following donations for Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School:

P&J Vending                      $  24.12

Box Tops for Education      $  85.20

To accept the following donations for Tatnuck Magnet School:

P&J Vending                      $     6.21

Box Tops for Education      $ 220.70

To accept a donation from an anonymous donor in the amount of $10.00 to replace a lost textbook.

Request that the School Committee approve the appointment of the following provisional civil service employee as School Nurse effective as shown:

Avramidis, Angela, New Citizen Center & University Park Campus, Base, Step 5, $56,000 effective, January 3, 2017. Licensed: School Nurse All Levels

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $195.68 made payable to the City of Worcester for police services at the talent show at Worcester Technical High School on May 20, 2016.

Finding that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigation position of the School Committee, the committee votes to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation and strategy for collective bargaining for a denial of access.

c&p #6-9

To consider a communication from a citizen relative to a request that the School Committee drop its Court Appeal and allow for testing for PCBs at Burncoat High and Doherty Memorial High schools.

gb #6-332

Request that the Administration drop the appeal and allow PCB testing at Burncoat High School and Doherty Memorial High School this school year and do what is necessary to correct the problem.

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Teachers and Unit B, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To consider an International Union of Public Employees (I.U.P.E.) Grievance Complaint – HVAC Technician

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