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School Committee Agenda #20 October 1, 2015

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

AGENDA #20

The School Committee will hold a regular meeting:
on: Thursday, October 1, 2015
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  –  SPECIAL MEETING
INVOCATION  –  Reverend Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS

aor #5-17 – Clerk
(September 15, 2015)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Annex (22 pages)
aor #5-18 – Clerk
(September 22, 2015)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, September 17, 2015.

Annex (10 page)
aor #5-19 – Clerk
(September 22, 2015)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of WEdnesday, September 23, 2015.

Annex (5 page)
IV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

gb #5-210.2 – Administration/Mr. Monfredo
(September 21, 2015)

To reconsider the following item:

Request that the Administration provide a report on the feasibility of giving Worcester residents preference, all things being equal, when hiring personnel, if legal and appropriate.

V. IMMEDIATE ACTION

gb #5-173.1 – Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/ Mr. Foley/Ms. Novick/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty
(September 10, 2015)

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

gb #5-218.1 – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Miss Ramirez/Ms. Novick/Mayor Petty
(September 18, 2015)

To recognize Attorney James Rosseel, with gratitude and appreciation, for the time and effort he devoted to organizing, and coordinating, the 2015 Judicial Youth Corps Mock Trial Program.

gb #5-219.1 – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Miss Ramirez/Ms. Novick/Mayor Petty
(September 18, 2015)

To recognize and congratulate the following principals on receiving the Dr. Richard E. Greene Founders Awards from the Worcester Public Library Foundation “in recognition of their invaluable contributions to ensure that these school library branches provide superior service to students and patrons and achieve the goals of the One City, One Library initiative:

Erin Dobson, Principal, Tatnuck Magnet School
Ellen Kelley, Principal, Roosevelt School
Deborah Catamero, Principal, Burncoat Street Preparatory School

gb #5-225.1 – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Miss Ramirez/Ms. Novick/Mayor Petty
(September 18, 2015)

To recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, Melissa Watson, and her 1000 Watts Barbershop of 848 Main Street, for their donation to Worcester school children of 130 new backpacks, filled with school supplies.

gb #5-239.1 – Administration/Administration
(September 24, 2015)

To consider approval of the School Committee’s chapter to be included in the Policy Manual of the Worcester Public Schools.

Annex A (56 pages)
gb #5-241 – Administration
(September 21, 2015)

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

VI. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

ros #5-10 – Administration
(September 23, 2015)

THE ARTS LEARNING PATHWAY

Annex A (32 pages)
VII. COMMUNICATION AND PETITION  –  NONE
VIII. REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports met at 5:35 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

The Standing Committee on Governance and Employee Issues met at 7:08 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2015 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Student Achievement met at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

IX.

 

5-38

PERSONNEL

The Superintendent has APPROVED the RETIREMENT of the persons named below:

Callahan, Peter, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, effective September 17, 2015
Falcone, Patricia, Teacher, Music, South, effective September 20, 2015
O’Leary, Joan, Teacher, Elementary, Burncoat Elementary, September 9, 2015
Voyiatzis, Joanna, Teacher, English as Second Language, Chandler Magnet, effective September 16, 2015.

5-39 The Superintendent ACKNOWLEDGES the RESIGNATION of the persons named below:

Husby, Paul, Teacher, English as a Second Language, South, effective September 14, 2015

5-40 The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the persons named below:

Coderre, Amy, Teacher, Mathematics, South, BA+15, Step 4, $55,836, effective September 21, 2015. Licensed: Mathematics 9-12.
Fermin, Miriam, Teacher, Spanish, Claremont, BA, Step 3, $51,077, effective September 21, 2015. Licensed: Spanish 5-12.
Fridley, Joanne, Teacher, English as a Second Language, Sullivan, MA, Step 8, $72,283, effective September 23, 2015. Licensed: English as a Second Language Prek-8.
Klein, Elizabeth, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, MA, Step 1, $50,978, effective September 18, 2015. Licensed: Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders – All Levels.
Labak, Kristin, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, BA+15, Step 2, $49,819, effective September 21, 2015. Licensed: Severe Special Needs – All levels.
McNamara, Michelle, Teacher, Elementary, Chandler Elementary, BA+15, Step 4 $55,836 effective September 21, 2015. Licensed: Early Childhood with and without Disabilities Prek-2.
Robert, Anna, School Adjustment Counselor, Systemwide, MA, Step 9, $76,790 effective September 21, 2015. Licensed: School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor – all levels.
Tancrati, Jr. Richard, Teacher, Special Education, North, MA+30, Step 8, $75,428 effective September 11, 2015. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities 5-12.

X. GENERAL BUSINESS

gb #5-232.1 – Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Ms. Novick/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria
(September 21, 2015)

Request that the City of Worcester designate the streets surrounding the former Temple Emmanuel, and other appropriate streets in the vicinity of May Street School, as “daytime parking only”.

gb #5-242 – Mr. O’Connell
(September 10, 2015)

To review the impact, if any, of the Affordable Care Act tax on certain employer health insurance plans, and on employee flexible spending accounts, for the 2018 fiscal year and thereafter.

gb #5-243 – Mr. O’Connell
(September 10, 2015)

To review the scores achieved by Worcester students in the 2015 administration of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) examinations, at all levels.

gb #5-244 – Mr. O’Connell
(September 10, 2015)

To review the scores achieved by Worcester students in the Spring 2015 administration of the Advanced Placement examinations, in all courses and at all levels.

gb #5-245 – Administration
(September 11, 2015)

To approve payment of prior year invoice in the amount of $6,487.80 for FY15 translation documents that were finalized after the year end fiscal process was complete.

gb #5-246 – Mr. Monfredo
(September 14, 2015)

Request that the School Committee support a bill, submitted by State Senator Jennifer Flanagan, that addresses ways of dealing with Opioid addiction such as school drug screening called “Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment or SBIRT.

gb #5-247 – Administration
(September 16, 2015)

To accept a donation in the amount of $10,619.15 from the Doherty Memorial High School Graduate Student Activity Funds for Doherty Memorial High School.

gb #5-248 – Miss Biancheria
(September 16, 2015)

To forward letters of appreciation to David G. Massad, Chairman of Commerce Bank and former City Manager Michael O’Brien for their efforts in bringing Gordon R. Roberts and Ty M. Carter, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, for a program at Worcester Technical High School.

gb #5-249 – Ms. Novick
(September 16, 2015)

To consider the 2015 resolutions before the Massachusetts Association of School Committees Delegates Assembly.

Annex A (4 pages)
gb #5-250 – Administration
(September 17, 2015)

To accept a donation in the amount of $5,920.00 from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation – Sarah Daniels Pettit and William O. Pettit, Jr. Fund, in the form of an unrestricted grant to Worcester Technical High School.

gb #5-251 – Administration
(September 23, 2015)

To consider approval of prior fiscal year payments in the total amount of $1,039.62.

gb #5-252 – Miss Biancheria
(September 23, 2015)

Request that the Administration provide a report on the progress or completion of painting crosswalks near schools including the Belmont Street crossing.

gb #5-253 – Miss Biancheria
(September 23, 2015)

Request that the Administration provide a report on the registered homeless students who attend the Worcester Public Schools by school site and grade level.

gb #5-254 – Miss Biancheria
(September 23, 2015)

Request that the Administration review the procedure for hiring contracted consultants who provide educational programs to staff in the Worcester Public School.

gb #5-255 – Miss Biancheria
(September 23, 2015)

To set a date to recognize Maureen Binienda, Principal of South High Community School, for developing innovative ways to provide healthy food options for students’ families.

gb #5-256 – Mr. O’Connell
(September 23, 2015)

To expand career counseling, internship and mentoring initiatives within the Worcester Public Schools, at all grade levels, with the assistance and support of the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce and of interested individuals and entities of the greater Worcester business community.

gb #5-257 – Administration
(September 23, 2015)

To set a date to recognize the following:Worcester Senior Center African American Seniors Group who provided school supplies and backpacks to Chandler Magnet and Lincoln Street schools

and

The Spiritually Fabulous Ministries led by Michelle Memnon and supported by fundraiser Anna Whitted for donations of 65 fully supplied backpacks for various grade levels and drawstring bags filled with extra supplies.

gb #5-258 – Mr. O’Connell
(September 23, 2015)

To request a report from the Administration as to the roster of members, and meeting schedules for the year, of the school site councils, all of which shall have met “no later than forty days after the first day of school” pursuant to Chapter 71, Section 59C of the Massachusetts General Laws.

gb #5-259 – Administration
(September 23, 2015)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the total amount of $162.73 for mileage reimbursement for three systemwide physical education teachers.

gb #5-260 – Administration
(September 23, 2015)

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.

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, 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 Stacey DeBoise Luster, Human Resource Manager, 20 Irving Street, Worcester, MA  01609. 508-799-3020.”