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School Committee Agenda #4 – January 23, 2014

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

AGENDA #4

The School Committee will hold a regular meeting:
on: Thursday, January 23, 2014
at: 6:00 p.m. – Executive Session
7:00 p.m. – Regular Session
in: Council Chamber, City Hall

ORDER OF BUSINESS

ACTION

I. CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING
INVOCATION – Reverend H. Edward Chalmers, St. Stephen’s Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS

aor #4-1 – Clerk
(January 2, 2014)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, December 19, 2013.

aor #4-2 – Clerk
(January 7, 2014)To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, January 2, 2014.
IV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION – NONE
V. IMMEDIATE ACTION – NONE
VI. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT – NONE
VII. COMMUNICATION AND PETITION

c&p #4-1 – Clerk
(December 12, 2013)

To consider a communication from a citizen regarding the naming of the new softball field at North High School.

Annex A (1 page)
VIII. REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

The Joint Meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Operations and the City Council’s Standing Committee on Education met at 4:13 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

The Standing Committee on Finance and Operations met at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

IX.

 

4-01

PERSONNEL

The Superintendent ACKNOWLEDGES the RESIGNATION of the person named below:

Blumenthal, Annika, Special Education, Worcester East, effective January 1, 2014

4-02 The Superintendent ACCEPTED the RETIREMENT of the persons named below:

Cellularo, Gloria Jean, Elementary, Clark Street, effective December 31, 2013
Donohue, Donna, Special Education, Elm Park, effective December 31, 2013
Noble, Janice, Special Education, Systemwide, effective January 13, 2014
Zamarro, Mary Lou, Administration, Worcester Technical, effective January 2, 2014

4-03
The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the person named below to the position of Teacher effective as noted below:

Copeland, Michele, Special Education, Elm Park, BA, Step 3, $48,126 effective January 2, 2014. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities Prek-8.

Dextradeur, Eric, Special Education. Elm Park, BA+15, Step 2, $46,941 effective December 18, 2013. License: Moderate Disabilities Prek-8.
Foisy, Brigitte, Special Education Speech, Systemwide, MA Step 1, $48,033 effective January 6, 2014. Licensed: Speech, Language & Hearing Disorders, all levels.
Guidi, Vanina, Chemistry, Doherty, Doherty, Doc, Step 1, $58,422 effective December 12, 2013. License: Chemistry 8-12.
Hall, Ambryre, Special Education Speech, Systemwide, MA Step 1, $48,033 effective January 2, 2014. Licensed: Speech, Language & Hearing Disorders, all levels.
Hurley, Jill, Special Education, Lincoln Street, MA, Step 1 $48,033 effective January 2, 2014. Licensed: Moderate Disabilities Prek-8.
Lemire, Douglas, Vocational, Worcester Technical, VL4, Step 6, $61,894 effective December 31, 2013.
Nyamekye, Liza, Special Education, Worcester East, MA, Step 5, $58,335 effective January 6, 2014. Licensure: Moderate Disabilities 5-12.
Pokrovski, Rachel, Library, Union Hill, .5FTE, MA, Step 3, $53,694/prorated effective January 2, 2014. Licensed: Library Media all levels.
4-04 The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the person named below to the position of Assistant Principal effective as noted below:

Phenix, Michelle, Administration, Worcester Technical, Group IV Base, Step 3, $80,168 effective January 2, 2014. License: Principal/Assistant Principal 9-12.

4-05 The Superintendent has APPOINTED the persons named below to the position of Cafeteria Helper, permanent/intermittent at a salary of $12.19 per hour, from Civil Service List #313-076, effective as shown:

Parkinson, Kimberly 1/6/14
Harris, Janine 1/6/14
Hodgdon, Janet 1/6/14
Serrano, Leiza 1/6/14
Simmons, Gail 1/6/14
Garcia, Karla 1/6/14
Weagle, Gail 1/6/14
Annan, Felicia 1/6/14
Milinazzo, Jennifer 1/6/14
Goodrich, Gianna 1/6/14
Cruz, Jenner 1/6/14
Navarro, Luis 1/6/14
Decelles, Christopher 1/6/14
Baez-Velez, Julio 1/6/14
Hefler, Eric 1/6/14

X. GENERAL BUSINESS

gb #2-218.1 –   Administration/Mr. O’Connell
                           (January 15, 2014)
Response of the Administration to the following requests to :
  • review the application process and timeframes for registration of pre – k students
  • develop flyers in conjunction with daycare providers as to available preschool placements within the City of Worcester and
  • provide possible supplemental educational opportunities for students in the other half day of pre-school.
Annex A (1 page)
Annex B (3 pages)
Annex C (3 pages)
gb #3-42.1 – Administration/Miss Biancheria/Mr. O’Connell
(January 15, 2014)Response of the Administration to the request to provide a detailed calendar of events for February and March in reference to all STEM events throughout our City, to include participating schools, dates, times and locations.
Annex A (1 pages)
gb #3-67.1 – Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria
(January 15, 2014)Response of the Administration to the request to consider implementing an after-school program of clubs and intramural sports in the middle schools of Worcester.
Annex A (3 page)
gb #3-202.2 – Administration/Ms. Novick/Mr. O’Connell
(January 15, 2013)
Response of the administration and the administration of the Worcester Public Library to the request to report on the proposed “One Library” system regarding (but not limited to) the following:
  • the process and criteria used to rank and select possible sites
  • how the growing enrollment of the Worcester Public Schools will be handled in light of the space restrictions
  • who will hire the librarians, to whom they will answer, whose hiring requirements and certifications will be met, and how these librarians will be evaluated
whether and to what extent the librarians will be part of the faculty of the school, teaching students research skills, attending faculty and curriculum meetings, and integrating curriculum into the library
  • whether libraries will be open to the public before, during, or after school hours, or outside of the school year
  • who will maintain and clean the library space
  • which entity will pay for utilities and other associated costs of the library space
  • how such space will be secured to the rest of the school building, and who will have and control access to the rest of the building
  • what the budgetary impact will be on the Worcester Public Schools, both in terms of dollars and in terms of state spending requirements
  • what the budgetary impact will be on the Worcester Public Library, both in terms of dollars and in terms of state spending requirements
  • what impact, if any, such use of space will have on the reimbursement of projects by the Massachusetts School Building Authority
  • who will have ownership of current school library resources, including books owned by the school libraries, and whether and to what extent any school library resources be available for interlibrary loan (within or outside Worcester)
  • what access to the library students will have during mandated state testing, given both space restraints and the state regulation requiring only school employees be in a school building during state testing
  • how any dissolution of these proposed libraries will be handled vis-a-vis the Worcester Public Schools
gb #3-206.1 –   Administration/Mr. Monfredo
(January 15, 2014)
Response of the Administration to the request to provide the following information regarding summer school programs:
  • the number of students enrolled at each grade level
  • pre and post testing results
  • attendance figures by school
  • incentives given for attendance
  • feedback from parents and
  • suggestions for expanding summer school programs in both school settings and in the community at large
Annex A (16 pages)
gb #3-244.1 –   Administration/Miss Biancheria/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo
                      (January 15, 2014)
Response of the Administration to the request to provide the guidelines in reference to preschool provided at the school sites to include:
  • the application process
  • location of the sites
  • enrollment numbers
  • scheduled timeframes of the programs
  • playground equipment
Annex A (3 pages)
gb #3-272.1 – Administration/Ms. Novick/Mr. O’Connell
(January 15, 2014)Response of the Administration to the request to report on the school-by-school expenditure of the $1 per pupil for recess supplies for FY13.
Annex A (1 page)
gb #3-276.1 – Administration/Ms. Novick/Mr. O’Connell
(January 15, 2014)Response of the Administration to the request to provide a report on which schools don’t have bike racks.
Annex A (1 page)
gb #3-305.2 –   Administration/Miss Biancheria
                      (January 8, 2014)
Response of the Administration to the request to provide an updated report on the financial strategy to insure that the budget for each school is inclusive of the enrollment increases to date.
backup
gb #3-308.1 – Administration/Miss Biancheria
(January 8, 2014)

Response of the Administration to the request to review and report on the equipment problems within the system that are not covered by warranties.

Annex A (3 pages)
gb #3-320.1 – Administration/Administration
(January 8, 2014)

Response of the Administration to the request to consider an adjustment in the FY14 Budget.

Annex A (2 pages)
gb #4-6 – Mr. O’Connell
(December 30, 2013)To forward a letter of appreciation to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center for its generous donation to Doherty Memorial High School ($99,526) and to Worcester Technical High School ($83,675), for acquisition of science equipment and supplies.
gb #4-7 – Mr. O’Connell
(December 30, 2013)

To request that the POW/MIA Chair of Honor be made available to individual schools for appropriate ceremonies, including recognitions of Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, and to encourage schools to incorporate the chair into student programs which honor and pay tribute to American Prisoners of War and to those Missing in Action from all wars.

gb #4-8 – Mr. O’Connell
(December 30, 2013)T

o set a date to recognize and congratulate Maureen Binienda, Principal of South High Community School, on her selection by Go Local Worcester as its 2013 Woman of the Year in Central Massachusetts.

gb #4-9 – Mr. Monfredo
(December 30, 2013)

To set a date to recognize representatives from South High Community School for providing space at the school for “Andy’s Attic,” a store which is providing clothing for students in need.

gb #4-10 – Miss Biancheria
(January 7, 2014)

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the process and procedures for individual staff members to utilize School Dude to include emergency requests.

gb #4-11 – Miss Biancheria
(January 8, 2014)

Request that the Administration discuss participation of the Worcester Public Schools in the Expo, which will be held at WPI on Saturday April 5, 2014 from 9am to noon, in order to support the CPPAC.

gb #4-12 – Ms. Novick
(January 9, 2014)

Request the City Council request the Worcester Police Department to set up a text hotline (as they have for tips) for reporting uncleared sidewalks and bus stops.

gb #4-13 – Ms. Novick
(January 9, 2014)

Request Administration compile a full list of all colleges to which Worcester public school students are admitted each year for possible publication.

gb #4-14 – Administration
(January 9, 2014)

To accept a donation, made payable to Lake View School in the amount of $6,408.13, from pledges made by parents, students, friends, and relatives, to support a spelling contest.

gb #4-15 – Ms. Novick
(January 9, 2014)

Discuss the enrollment report from the Friday Letter of January 3, 2014.

gb #4-16 – Mr. Monfredo
January 9, 2014)

Request that all of the Elementary and Middle Schools participate in the NEA’s Read Across America Day during the week of March 3rd and reach out to the community partners and include them in a “literacy celebration.”

gb #4-17 – Miss Biancheria
(January 9, 2014)

Request that the Administration review the current parent enrichment opportunities offered in the Worcester Public Schools and consider the feasibility of expanding them, in collaboration with the CPPAC.

gb #4-18 – Administration
(January 13, 2014)

To consider approval of a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $1,072.00.

gb #4-19 – Administration
(January 13, 2014)

To accept a donation from National Grid, in the amount of $1,000.00, for the Robotics Program at Doherty Memorial High School.

gb #4-20 – Administration
(January 13, 2014)

To accept a donation from a Mobil branded retailer, in the amount of $500.00, made payable to Grafton Street School, for the enhancement of education.

gb #4-21 – Mr. O’Connell
(January 13, 2014)

To forward a letter of appreciation, to the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust, for its grant of $8,000 to the Worcester Educational Development Foundation, to fund Phase II of the Sullivan Middle School campus beautification plan, and the assistance of Bigelow Nurseries, the Worcester Tree Initiative, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for assisting the Sullivan staff in bringing the beautification plan to life.

gb #4-22 – Miss Biancheria
(January 15, 2014)

Request that the Administration provide a report on the funding that was available through the state and city for the Administration of North High School to include:

  • total amount of funding
  • balance remaining and
  • reason for the hold on the use of the funds
gb #4-23 – Mr. O’Connell
(January 15, 2014)

To include the full retroactive payment due to teachers under the new collective bargaining agreement in the checks to be distributed to them in the next payroll period.

gb #4-24 – Miss Biancheria
(January 15, 2014)

Request that the Administration review and discuss the safe route protocol for students walking to and from the Worcester Public Schools.

gb #4-25 – Administration
(January 15, 2014)

To consider approval of new courses for the middle and high schools.

gb #4-26 – Administration
(January 15, 2014)

To approve payment for prior year invoices in the amount of $3088.20.

gb #4-27 – Administration
(January 15, 2014)

To accept a donation in the amount of $18,550 from Worcester State University to provide funding for the repair of the gymnasium floor at Chandler Magnet School.

Annex A (5 pages)
gb #4-28 – Administration (Executive Session)
(January 15, 2014)

To conduct the disciplinary hearing of student #13/14-08 and to do so in Executive Session to protect the statutory privacy rights of the student under Chapter 30, Section 21, paragraph 7 and Chapter 214, Section 1B of the Massachusetts General Laws.

To conduct the disciplinary hearing of student #13/14-09 and to do so in Executive Session to protect the statutory privacy rights of the student under Chapter 30, Section 21, paragraph 7 and Chapter 214, Section 1B of the Massachusetts General Laws.

To conduct the disciplinary hearing of student #13/14-10 and to do so in Executive Session to protect the statutory privacy rights of the student under Chapter 30, Section 21, paragraph 7 and Chapter 214, Section 1B of the Massachusetts General Laws.

To discuss collective bargaining for the Administrative Secretaries, Represented, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation position of the School Committee.

To consider negotiations for the Coordinator of School Nurses, Non-represented.

Finding that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee, the committee votes to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Grievance #13/14-1.

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.”