CLERK OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 20 IRVING STREET WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01609 AGENDA #21 The School Committee will hold a regular meeting: on: Thursday, October 2, 2014 at: 6:00 p.m. - Executive Session 7:00 p.m. Regular Session in the: Esther Howland South Chamber, City Hall ORDER OF BUSINESS I. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING INVOCATION - Reverend Gary Shahinian Park Congregational Church ACTION Convened in Open Session at 6:29 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM II. ROLL CALL Miss Biancheria, Mr. Monfredo, Ms. Novick, Mr. O Connell, Miss Ramirez and Mayor Petty There was absent: Mr. Foley III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS aor #4-17 - Clerk Approved To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2014. aor #4-18 - Clerk Approved To consider approval of the Executive Session Minutes of the September 19, 2013, November 21, 2013, December 19, 2013, January 23, 2014, February 27, 2014 and March 6, 2014. IV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION - NONE "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."
Page 2 10-2-14 V. IMMEDIATE ACTION ACTION gb #4-237.1 - Administration/Mr. O Connell/Mr. Monfredo/ Ms. Novick/Miss Ramirez/Miss /Biancheria/ Mayor Petty (September 23, 2014) Certificate presented To recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, the members of the IT Department and FUN Committee of Reliant Medical Group for their donation of 50 filled backpacks, teacher supplies and playground equipment to the Columbus Park Preparatory Academy. gb #4-248.1 - Administration/Miss Ramirez/Mr. Monfredo/ Ms. Novick/Mr. O Connell/Miss Biancheria/ Mayor Petty (September 23, 2014) Certificate forwarded To acknowledge representatives from Cradles to Crayons for their outstanding contributions to the Worcester Public Schools. gb #4-265 - Administration Filed To consider input from the School Committee s student representatives. VI. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ros #4-11 - Administration Accepted and filed FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ACADEMY OF WORCESTER (FCA) VII. COMMUNICATION AND PETITION - NONE VIII. REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE - NONE
Page 3 10-2-14 IX. PERSONNEL 4-33 The Superintendent has APPROVED the RETIREMENT of the persons named below: Filed Personnel Items 4-33 and 4-34 O Brien, Colleen, Liaison, Physical Education, effective September 23, 2014 4-34 The Superintendent has APPROVED the APPOINTMENT of the persons named below: Booth, Karissa, Teacher, Elementary, Woodland, BA, Step 2, $46,129, effective September 17, 2014. Licensed: Elementary 1-6. Carroll, Cheryl, Teacher, Elementary, West Tatnuck, MA+15, Step 8, $71,445 effective September 22, 2014. Licensed: Elementary 1-6. Emery, Leigh, Teacher, Vocational, North, MA, Step 8, $70,164 effective September 18, 2014. License pending: Allied Health Martin, Jeffrey, Facilities Director, BA, $120,000 effective September 12, 2014.License: NA Toomey, Paula, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, MA+30, Step 8, $73,217 effective September 22, 2014. Licensed: Intensive Special Needs, All Levels.
Page 4 10-2-14 X. GENERAL BUSINESS ACTION gb #4-243.1 - Administration/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O Connell/ Mr. Foley/Ms. Novick/Miss Ramirez/ Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty Accepted and filed To allow Dr. Jennifer Carey, Executive Director, Worcester Educational Collaborative, to discuss plans for the Reading on Grade Level Kickoff. gb #4-254 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Ramirez/ Miss Biancheria (September 3, 2014) Referred to the Standing Committee on Governance and Employee Issues To review and consider the May 2014 National School Boards Association publication "Bon Voyage: A Legal and Policy Making Guide for School Boards on International Student Travel", and to consider any policy-making options which it suggests to school boards which would be advisable for the staff and students of the Worcester Public Schools interested in international travel. gb #4-255 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/ Miss Biancheria (September 11, 2014) To review available options for repairing defective gymnasium flooring - or replacing gym floors as necessary - for the safety and well-being of both staff and students, and to transfer FY 2014-15 budget funds for this purpose on a priority basis. gb #4-256 - Administration (September 15, 2014) To accept donations in the total amount of $95.00 made payable to the Special Education Department. Referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Operations On a roll call of 6-0-1 (absent-mayor Petty), the item was approved
Page 5 10-2-14 GENERAL BUSINESS (continued) gb #4-257 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria (September 16, 2014) ACTION Referred to the Administration To request a report from the Administration as to programs held in the Worcester Public Schools in recognition of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (September 17), as is mandated for "each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year." gb #4-258 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Ramirez/ Ms. Novick/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty (September 17, 2014) Set the date of Thursday, November 6, 2014 To set a date to recognize Shaw's Supermarkets and Star Market Stores for their donations of $400 each to Forest Grove Middle School, and to Francis McGrath, Gates Lane and Heard Street elementary schools. gb #4-259 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/ Miss Biancheria (September 17, 2014) To initiate a course in Mandarin Chinese at the Advanced Placement level, offered either in a customary classroom setting or through Virtual High School. gb #4-260 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Ramirez/ Ms. Novick/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty (September 23, 2014) To set a date to recognize the Greater Worcester Community Foundation which, through its gift from the Bradley C. Higgins Fund to the Discovery Museums, will provide Traveling Science Workshops and field trips to the students of Roosevelt, Rice Square, Jacob Hiatt Magnet, and Quinsigamond schools. gb #4-261 - Mr. O Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Ramirez/ Ms. Novick/Miss Biancheria/Mayor Petty (September 23, 2014) Referred to the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports Set the date of Thursday, October 16, 2014 Set the date of Thursday, October 16, 2014 To set a date to congratulate Worcester Arts Magnet School on its selection as a 2014 Gateway Cities Award Winner for "advancing educational excellence... by working collaboratively to build new learning models that take advantage of unique Gateway City educational opportunities."
Page 6 10-2-14 GENERAL BUSINESS (continued) gb #4-262 - Miss Biancheria/Mr. Foley/Mr. O Connell/ Mr. Monfredo ACTION Referred to the Administration Request that the Administration provide a Job Description for the position of Principal for the Worcester Technical High School. gb #4-263 - Miss Biancheria/Mr. Foley/Mr. O Connell/ Mr. Monfredo Referred to the Administration Request that the Administration provide a report containing new strategies for improvement of student performance on the MCAS exams. gb #4-264 - Miss Biancheria/Mr. O Connell/Mr. Monfredo Referred to the Administration Request that the Administration provide a report containing the description of College Night events at each of the high schools. gb #4-266 - Administration Held from 6:30 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Nurses if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares. XI. ADJOURNMENT Helen A. Friel, Ed.D. Clerk of the School Committee 8:25 p.m.
Page 7 10-2-2014 N O T E S It was moved to recess to Executive Session in order: To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Nurses if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares. On a roll call of 6-0-1 (absent-mr. Foley), the motion was approved. The School Committee recessed to Executive Session from 6:30 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. The School Committee reconvened in Open Session at 7:00 p.m. There were present at the second Call to Order: Miss Biancheria, Mr. Foley, Mr. Monfredo, Ms. Novick, Mr. O Connell, Miss Ramirez and Mayor Petty. Mayor Petty left the meeting from 7:14 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Vice-chairman Monfredo chaired the meeting from 7:14 p.m. 8:00 p.m. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ros #4-11 Dr. Rojas and Dr. Carey Davis presented the Report of the Superintendent regarding the Family and Community Academy of Worcester. Miss Biancheria made the following motion: Request that the Administration of the Family and Community Academy of Worcester forward the names and addresses of the parents who receive certificates so that a congratulatory letter can be sent out, on behalf of the School Committee, to these individuals. On a voice vote, the motion was approved.
Page 8 10-2-2014 NOTES (continued) GENERAL BUSINESS (continued) gb #4-255 Miss Novick stated that she would vote against the item regarding use of monies to repair defective gymnasium floors or replacing them due to consideration of this request as a priority of the School Committee. gb #4-256 Ms. Novick requested that the Administration, on behalf of the School Committee, forward a letter to the family of the late Paul Piuze for including in the obituary that donations in his memory could be made to the Worcester Public Schools. gb #4-260 Miss Biancheria requested that the Administration provide, in a Friday Letter, information relative to the Traveling Science Workshops. gb #4-262 Miss Biancheria requested that the Administration provide a timeframe for receipt of a Job Description for the position of Principal of Worcester Technical High School. Dr. Boone indicated that upon receipt of a letter of resignation from Dr. Harrity, she will provide a full package of information as it relates to the Job Description and timeline for filling this position. She stated that she would involve stakeholders in this process and will involve a national search. Miss Biancheria requested information regarding the interim person to fill the principal s position on an acting basis. O T H E R Mayor Petty read a proclamation declaring Wednesday, October 8, 2014 as International Walk to School Day in the City of Worcester and encourage all residents to recognize and participate in its observance.