School Committee Agenda #25 – November 2, 2017

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

Monique Daylue
South High Community School

aor #7-24 – Clerk
(October 25, 2017)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, October 19, 2017.

gb #7-346.1  –  Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Ms. Colorio/Mr. O’Connell/Mayor Petty
(October 24, 2017)

To recognize William Wallace, Director of the Worcester Historical Museum and Kim Davenport of Edwards Street Child Services for encouraging Worcester students to place an entry into the World Smile Day Book responding to: “What Makes Me Smile About Worcester”, and to the Hanover Insurance Group for its financial sponsorship for the publication of the book.

gb #7-355  –  Lorenzo Hernandez
(October 24, 2017)

To consider the following item from Lorenzo Hernandez, Ex-Officio Member of the School Committee.

To consider offering a cost free Driver’s Education course for students at Worcester Technical High School.

ROS #7-16  –  Administration/Miss Biancheria/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Ms. Colorio
(October 25, 2017)

A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE GERALD CREAMER CENTER WITH SUPPORTIVE DATA

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Student Achievement met at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2017 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

7-26 The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the persons named below:

Angiolillo, Melissa, Guidance Counselor, Claremont, MA, Step 8, $73,736*, effective October 23, 2017. Licensed: School Guidance 5-12.

Couchman, Ashton, Teacher, Mathematics, Sullivan, BA, Step 1, $45,970*, effective October 10, 2017 Licensed:  Mathematics 8-12.

Festa, Kimberly, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, MA, Step 9, $78,334*, effective October 13, 2017. Licensed: Moderate      Disabilities Prek-8.

Gow, Samuel, Teacher, English as a Second Language, Forest Grove, BA, Step 1, $45,970*, effective October 16, 2017. Licensed: English 8-12.

Hartwell, Cassandra, Teacher, English, Worcester East, BA, Step 1, $45,970*, effective October 16, 2017. Licensed: English 8-12.

7-27 The Superintendent has APPROVED the RETIREMENT of the following persons named below:

Foisy, John, Teacher, Vocational, Worcester Technical High School, effective October 23, 2017.

Tamason, Rafaelina, Teacher, Foreign Language, Burncoat High, effective October 24, 2017.

7-28 The Superintendent has ACCEPTED the RESIGNATION of the persons named below:

Moreau, Katherine, Teacher, Elementary, Lincoln Street, effective October 12, 2017.

Root-Simone, Sara, Teacher, English as a Second Language, Woodland Academy, effective October 20, 2017.

7-29 The Superintendent has APPROVED the LEAVE OF ABSENCE of the person named below:

Kobialka, James, Teacher, Science, University Park, effective October 16, 2017 – June 30, 2018

*prorated

gb #7-231.2  – Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria
(June 21, 2017)

Response of the Administration to the request to forward the backup, as was featured on NBC “Inspiring America Series,” to our elementary schools and have them consider working with their business partner or PTO on establishing a “buddy bench” as we enter the 2017-18 school year.

Response of the Administration to the request to prove a report on best practices as they relate to itinerant special education staff caseloads, specifically for occupational therapy and physical therapy employees, and what agreements currently exist between the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Teachers Union related to itinerant special education staffing levels and/or caps

Response of the Administration to the request to provide report on what, if any, orientation, training or ongoing professional development is provided by special education department leadership to principals, as it relates to itinerant special education staff, so as to facilitate a proper understanding of roles and responsibilities to ensure legal compliance as well as positive and appropriate outcomes for students.

Response of the Administration to the request to develop ways to market the accomplishments of the Worcester Public Schools by increasing the number of media press releases and by encouraging the principals to forward to the media outstanding events that are taking place at their schools.

Request that the Administration review the Community Addiction Response Program as a possible tool to assist the Drug Task Force Committee including the Development of a Champions Toolbox.

To forward letters of congratulations to the following members of the 7^th Academy of Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the Worcester Public Schools, selected by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation:

To set a date to congratulate Unibank on its recognition as Corporate Friend of the Worcester Public Schools, selected by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation.

Request that the Administration provide an update regarding attendance report cards and review policies that provide incentives for students to attend school.

To apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a STEM High-Quality Career Pathway Capacity Grant to expand the Project Lead the Way curriculum in the Worcester Public Schools, with the support and assistance of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Request that the Administration provide a report on the collaborative efforts between the Worcester Public Schools and the City Police Department in reference to bike safety and prevention as a direct result of recent problems.

To accept the Early Grades Literacy Grant in the amount of $125,000.00.

To accept the Find the You in Ukelele Grant, funded by the Target Corporation, in the amount of $2,000.00.

Request that the Administration provide an update on the ways in which it handles social and emotional learning in classrooms and within the school indicating:

-the types of training provided to staff and students

-the outreach to parents and

-the next steps to further these efforts.

Request that the Administration provide the pay scale for day by day substitutes in the Worcester Public Schools.

To approve a prior fiscal year mileage reimbursement in the amount of $626.40 for a special education student.

To allow Donna Colorio, the School Committee delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees Conference, to speak about Resolution 6: Foundation Budget that was initiated by The Worcester School Committee and approved by said body on October 19, 2017.

Request that the Administration provide a report on the UNITEY Program at North High School that involves civic engagement and internships for students.

To consider approval of the following donations:

–  $125.00 from The College of the Holy Cross to Woodland Academy

–  $500.00 from Crystal Guzman to the AP Art Classes at Burncoat High School

–  To Tatnuck Magnet School from the following individuals for its fundraising efforts:

-$10.00 from Entela Cobani

-$25.00 from Heidi & Paul Ferrin

-$40.00 from Steven & Tara Husson

-$40.00 from Cynthia & Scott Mackenzie

-$40.00 from Mary & Michael Malley

-$40.00 from Donna & Robert Mastrovito

-$40.00 from Matthew & Delphine Soucie

-$160.00 from Karen & Robert Weilbrenner

-$200.00 from The Willows at Worcester

To consider approval of a prior fiscal year payment for an additional license in the amount of $116.15 to an employee.

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

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

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

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

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