TwiCLERK OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
20 IRVING STREET
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01609
AGENDA #9
| The School Committee will hold a regular meeting: | |
| on: | Thursday, April 6, 2017 |
| 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 |
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| I. | CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING | |
| INVOCATION – Pastor Robert Ochoa Lake View Congregational Church |
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| PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM | ||
| II. | ROLL CALL | |
| III. | APPROVAL OF RECORDS
aor #7-8 – Clerk To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, March 16, 2017. |
Annex A (24 pages) |
| IV. | MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION- NONE | |
| V. | IMMEDIATE ACTION
gb #7-102 – Administration To consider input from the School Committee’s student representatives. |
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| VI. | REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
ros #7-6 – Administration UPDATE ON THE AVID (ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION) SYSTEM IN THE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
Annex A (10 pages) Annex B (2 pages) |
| VII. | COMMUNICATION AND PETITION – NONE | |
| VIII. | REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE
The Standing Committee on Finance and Operations met at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building. |
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| IX.
7-11 |
PERSONNEL
The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the persons named below, effective as shown: McCormack, Kerry, Teacher, City View, Art, CAGS/2MA, Step 8, $77,399, effective February 27, 2017. Licensed: Visual Arts K-9. Salmi, Shah, Teacher, Rice Square, Music, .8FTE, BA, Step 8, $66,369 (prorated), effective March 14, 2017. Licensed: Music/Vocal and Instrumental All Levels. |
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| X. | GENERAL BUSINESS
gb #6-359.2 – Administration/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty Response of the Administration to the requests to: – provide a report regarding window replacements and other repairs completed within the schools during the past year – provide a complete report on all completed projects and future ones and also indicate the way in which the system will handle the PCBs at both Burncoat and Doherty Memorial High schools |
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| gb #7-97.1 – Administration/Administration (March 20, 2017)To consider approval of the amendments to the Agreement of the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative to include a change in the title to the Central Massachusetts Collaborative, along with other amendments as noted in Annex A of the backup. |
Annex A (18 pages) Annex B (17 pages) |
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| gb #7-103 – Mr. O’Connell (March 10, 2017)To address the varied defects and conditions affecting the wall separating the property of Tatnuck School from that occupied by the Tatnuck Square Center, 1097-1099 Pleasant Street, and the land in the vicinity of the wall, which include, and are not limited to: -the deterioration of parking lot paving in the Center due to erosion from water flowing through the wall -the location of the Tatnuck School dumpster adjacent to the land of the Center -the exposed wires along the wall, and -the deteriorating segments of the wall itself. |
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| gb #7-104 – Mr. O’Connell (March 10, 2017)To consider recommending that the City Manager and City Council initiate a bond issue to permit completion of facilities work on school buildings which does not qualify for Massachusetts School Building Authority funding, or which would be completed much more rapidly through bond proceeds, prioritizing work which is particularly beneficial to the health, welfare and well-being of staff and students. |
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| gb #7-105 – Mr. O’Connell (March 10, 2017)To request the advice of schools affected or impacted by truck traffic along roadways leading to and from the CSX Transportation facility, to determine whether the intense use by tractor trailers of those roadways (including Grafton Street, Hamilton Street, Massasoit Road, Sunderland Road, and roadways leading to and from them) is jeopardizing the safety of Worcester school children walking along those roadways to and from schools and school bus stops. |
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| gb #7-106 – Mr. O’Connell (March 10, 2017)To comment, if appropriate, on the Proposed Amendment to Regulations on Accountability and Assistance for School Districts and Schools, 603 CMR 2.04 (4), permitting an exemption from Levels 1-3 for 2017-18 for a school which “has a participation rate of at least 90 percent in the administration of the Spring 2017 MCAS tests and does not have a persistently low graduation rate.” |
Annex A (2 pages) | |
| gb #7-107 – Mr. O’Connell (March 10, 2017)To review, and to make recommendations as appropriate, as to the Federal FY18 Budget submitted by the President, as it relates to funding of the US Department of Education and its grants and programs. |
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| gb #7-108 – Mr. O’Connell (March 13, 2017)To congratulate the Green Reapers (FIRST Team 1735) of Burncoat High School on winning the Engineering Inspiration Award at the WPI District Robotics Competition, for “outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s community.” |
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| gb #7-109 – Mr. O’Connell (March 13, 2017)To cooperate with the Men of Color Think Tank (MCTT) and the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MWCC) to hold an essay competition for one school at the 12th grade level. |
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| gb #7-110 – Mr. Monfredo (March 15, 2017)Request that the School Committee approve participation in the Home Run Club, a reading incentive program, sponsored by the Worcester Bravehearts and Worcester: the City that Reads for students in K-6. |
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| gb #7-111 – Mr. Monfredo (March 16, 2017)Request that the Administration forward an email to all secretaries and administrative assistants during the week of April 23rd in celebration of Administrative Professional Day. |
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| gb #7-112 – Mr. O’Connell (March 15, 2017)To set a date to recognize SOFA (Support Our Fine Arts) for its award of $4,910 in mini-grants to staff members of schools of the Burncoat quadrant, and to congratulate the staff members for receiving those awards. |
Annex A (1 page) | |
| gb #7-113 – Mr. O’Connell (March 17, 2017)To congratulate the following students of Worcester Technical High School on their success at the MASS State Career Development Conference, held in the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, in competition against 87 schools and 2,700 students:
and to congratulate Worcester Technical High School on earning qualifying spots to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) for Gold Level Recertification in the School Based Enterprise Event and in the National DECA Promotion Campaign. |
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| gb #7-114 – Miss Biancheria (March 17, 2017)Request that the Administration provide a report indicating which high school sites are utilizing the Mass Work-Based Learning Plan. |
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| gb #7-115 – Administration (March 17, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $500.00 from the Greater New York Insurance Company to Clark Street Developmental School which will encourage families to visit library branches throughout summer break. |
Annex A (1 page) | |
| gb #7-116 – Administration (March 17, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $500.00 from the MA State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. that was presented to Jocelyn Coughlin at Worcester Technical High School to fund the science fair (Tech Fair) and to purchase poster boards, trophies, awards and other supplies. |
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| gb #7-117 – Mr. Monfredo (March 20, 2017)Request that the Administration forward a congratulatory letter to Caitlin McCarthy, an English Teacher at Worcester Technical High School, for having an article published in Forbes Magazine regarding her advocacy for Diethylstilbestrol (DES). |
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| gb #7-118 – Mr. Monfredo (March 20, 2017)Request that the Administration, in partnership with the Worcester Historical Museum and the Worcester Bravehearts, have all teachers read “Casey at the Bat” to their students during the week of May 29th as part of the 129th anniversary of the publication of the poem written by Ernest Thayer in Worcester on June 3, 1888. |
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| gb #7-119 – Mr. Monfredo (March 20, 2017)Request that the School Committee forward letters to the Congressional Delegation in opposition to the President’s Budget for Education and its impact on the school district and further request that the MASC consider organizing all districts in Massachusetts to oppose these cuts and voice opposition to the Massachusetts Delegation. |
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| gb #7-120 – Administration (March 20, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $700.00 from Target Corporation to Woodland Academy to help defer costs for the yearly field trip to the Boston Freedom Trail. |
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| gb #7-121 – Administration (March 20, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $10,000.00 from Fallon Health to help defray the costs of the SAT testing for seniors. |
Annex A (1 page) | |
| gb #7-122 – Administration (March 20, 2017)To review the reports on compliance and internal controls for the City of Worcester, including the Worcester Public Schools, from the Certified Public Accounting firm of CliftonLarsenAllen, LLP for the year ended June 30, 2016 which include the GAO and OMB A-133 Reports and the Management Letter and the Independent Accountants’ Report on Applying Agreed Upon Procedures for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education End of Year Financial Report for fiscal year 2016, prepared by Robert C. Alario, CPA, P.C. |
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| gb #7-123 – Administration (March 21, 2017)To accept the Secondary Transition Systemic Improvement Grant in the amount of $37,000.00. |
Backup | |
| gb #7-124 – Administration (March 21, 2017)To accept the BioBuilder Grant in the amount of $28,000.00. |
Backup | |
| gb #7-125 – Administration (March 21, 2017)To consider approval of the draft Policy and Procedures for Physical Restraints. |
Annex A (8 pages) | |
| gb #7-126 – Mr. Monfredo (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration consider developing a partnership with the American Heart Association and encourage all staff members to participate in the Heart Walk on Saturday, May 6, 2017. |
Backup Annex A (1 page) |
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| gb #7-127 – Mr. O’Connell (March 21, 2017)To consider establishing a literary magazine for the Worcester Public Schools, to publish the writings, paintings, drawings, and other creative work of WPS students, teachers and other staff members. |
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| gb #7-128 – Administration (March 21, 2017)To consider approval of a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $2,066.40 made payable to a parent due to a Settlement Agreement between the Worcester Public Schools and the parent for transportation. |
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| gb #7-129 – Mr. Monfredo (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration publicize the Worcester: the City that Reads twelfth annual book drive to support children pre-k to grade 8 in the Worcester Public Schools. |
Backup | |
| gb #7-130 – Ms. Colorio (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration consider establishing a task force, to include the Director of School Safety, School Committee members, teachers and community members, to investigate and seek solutions to drug and alcohol problems in the schools. |
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| gb #7-131 – Ms. Colorio (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the Massachusetts Accountability Plan and indicate how it may apply to potential policy changes for the school district. |
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| gb #7-132 – Ms. Colorio (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration provide a report on the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Standards and indicate how these standards will impact both teaching and learning. |
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| gb #7-133 – Ms. Colorio (March 21, 2017)Request that the Administration update the School Committee on Federal Programs, Grants and policy changes which will include but not be limited to, a repeal of the Teacher Preparation Regulations. |
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| gb #7-134 – Mr. Monfredo (March 23, 2017)To congratulate Superintendent Maureen Binienda for receiving the Children’s Friend award on April 4, 2017 at Mechanics Hall for her important work with children in Worcester. |
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| gb #7-135 – Ms. Colorio (March 23, 2017)Request that the School Committee recognize the staff and students at Worcester Technical High School for its successful partnership with French exchange students from a high school in France (Le Lycée Hôtelier Val de Loire, BLOIS, France) which will expose and teach these students about the highly successful Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs in the United States.y |
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| gb #7-136 – Ms. Colorio (March 23, 2017)Request that the Administration study the feasibility of establishing a Hotel and Restaurant within a vacant Worcester public school and authorize the electrical, plumbing and other appropriate divisions of Worcester Technical High School to rehabilitate the property and then realize the profit from this enterprise. |
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| gb #7-137 – Administration (March 23, 2017)Request that the School Committee amend the Minutes of June 16, 2016 to include the following vote: Pursuant to action taken in Executive Session, it was moved to deny Grievance #15/16-31. On a roll call of 7-0, the motion was approved. |
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| gb #7-138 – Administration (March 24, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $10,000.00 from Digital Credit Union (DCU) to be used for scholarships to graduating seniors. |
Annex A (1 page) | |
| gb #7-139 – Mr. Monfredo (March 27, 2017)Request that the Administration forward a congratulatory letter to Burncoat High School’s Green Reaper Robotic team for receiving the District Chairman’s Award at the Southern New Hampshire District event. |
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| gb #7-140 – Miss Biancheria (March 27, 2017)Request that the Administration review the online program that will be made available to students at the Creamer Center subsumed under the same on-line program available for students at Worcester Technical High School. |
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| gb #7-141 – Miss Biancheria (March 27, 2017)Request that the Administration provide a complete schedule of STEM events to include, but not be limited to, fairs, competitive events and expos such as the Career Construction Day. |
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| gb #7-142 – Administration (March 28, 2017)To accept a donation in the amount of $3,000.00 from the Patterson Family Foundation & Scholastic Reading Club to benefit the students at Chandler Elementary School. |
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| gb #7-143 – Miss Biancheria (March 29, 2017)Request that the Administration provide a report on the fifth annual Bullying Prevention and Education Conference to include explanations regarding: -the six rules in reference to the awareness of bullying and -the activities and solutions that will be implemented during the 2017-18 school year |
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| gb #7-144 – Mr. Monfredo (March 29, 2017)Request that the School Committee congratulate Robert Pezzella, Director of School Safety for conducting the highly successful Bullying Prevention and Education Conference that was held at North High School. |
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| gb #7-145 – Administration (March 29, 2017)To consider approval of the Innovation Plan for the Goddard School of Science and Technology. |
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| gb #7-145 – Administration (March 29, 2017)To consider approval of the Innovation Plan for the Goddard School of Science and Technology. |
Annex (6 pages) | |
| gb #7-147 – Administration (March 29, 2017)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 A/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. 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 #15/16-38. |
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| XI. | ADJOURNMENT
Helen A. Friel, Ed.D. |