School Committee Agenda #21 – October 15, 2015

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, October 1, 2015.

gb #5-169.1  –   Administration/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. Foley/Ms. Novick/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty  (October 1, 2015)

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 recognize South High Community School for its appearance on the Channel 5 News that highlighted the food pantry and Andy’s Attic which assists families in need.

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

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.

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

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

ros #5-11  –    Administration   (October 6, 2015)

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION EVALUATION REPORT

c&p #5-7  –     Clerk    (October 6, 2015)

To consider a communication from the EAW relative to a request to enter into negotiations over successor collective bargaining agreements for the following contracts:

• Bus Drivers (Aids to the Physically Handicapped)
• Bus Monitors
• Units A &B
• Instructional Assistants
• Parent Liaisons
• ESL Tutors
• OT/PT Assistants

5-41

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

Brady, Suzanne, Liaison, Child Study, effective September 24, 2015

Lussier, Andrea, Teacher, Special Education, effective September 19, 2015

Weeks, Jesse, Teacher, Social Studies, South, effective September 28, 2015

Comeau, Karen, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, MA, Step 8, $72,283, effective October 5, 2015. Licensed: Speech, Language & Hearing Disorders, All levels.

Simonti, Alicia, Teacher, Science, Forest Grove, MA, Step 1, $50,978, effective September 23, 2015. Licensed: Earth Science 5-8.

gb #5-262  –   Administration   (September 26, 2015)

To set a date to recognize the Alumni Association of North High School and CSX for donating funds to North High School for the purchase of a van to transport students to internships.

Request that the Administration forward a congratulatory letter to the staff, students and administration at South High Community School for a well-organized AP Pep Rally.

Request that the Administration inform the schools regarding the Mass Council for the Social Studies Statewide Conference entitled “Human & Civil Rights and the Social Studies” which will take place on Wednesday, October 28th at the Holiday Inn in Marlborough.

To accept a donation in the amount of $400.00 from Shaw’s Supermarkets Charity Foundation for the Francis J McGrath Elementary School.

Request that the Administration ask schools to submit their best practices regarding ways in which to improve school climate and parent involvement and share them with each other.

Request that the School Committee meet with the local legislative body three times during the school year and schedule the first meeting during the month of November.

To accept a donation in the amount of $250.00 from JVE Co., Inc. for the Tatnuck Magnet School.

Request that the Administration research the opportunities available to Worcester public school students through Unified Theater, an inclusive, student-led creative program that builds relationships and leadership.

To set a date to recognize Tracy O’Connell Novick for being selected to receive MASC’s Division IX (Urban) All-State School Committee 2015 award.

To request an update as to progress made to date in contracting for a school security audit for the Worcester Public Schools, pursuant to the Request for Proposals issued in that regard.

To accept a donation in the amount of $5,000.00 from an anonymous donor for the Tatnuck Magnet School.

To accept a donation in the amount of $100.00 from Kathleen M. Toomey for the Tatnuck Magnet School.

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $77.63 for mileage reimbursement for a psychologist.

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $39.68 for mileage reimbursement for a psychologist.

Request that the Administration provide a report on the Recovery High School.

Request that the Administration alert the schools about “Family Literacy Month” in November and attempt to engage families and students in meaningful literacy activities and consider having a “book swap day” during the month.

Request that the Administration ask the purchasing agent to prepare documents for a Request for Proposal for a search firm for the selection of the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools.

To consider selection of Dr. Marco Rodrigues as Interim Superintendent of Schools.

To approve the timeline for the selection of the new Superintendent of Schools.

Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and  contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Superintendent’s Employment Contract.

Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Interim Superintendent Employment Contract.

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