TLSS subcommittee meeting:alternative education

...starting a bit late and short Miss Biancheria.

They are talking first about reorganizing the alternative programing, as Dr. Gribouski is here (this is Annex B of gb #8-174, which is the school reorganization plan). She's talking about reworking the alternative programs, of which currently in Worcester there is the Creamer Center (about 250 11 & 12 graders, largely; plus 65 at night), Juvenile Resource Center (25 students), Fanning (60 seats for 8, 9, 10), and the 9th grade recovery (40 students).

Reworking to have a principal who is doing oversight for all students. Change to 7-9 grade students (80 or more) who are overage and undercredited at Fanning, 10 and 11th at Creamer Center (250 kids) focusing on MCAS, Ed Resource Center for kids who have passed the MCAS and have most credit requirements done (100 students). Partnering with the Simon Foundation (that'd be the mall) with some work in the mall but some around it, with focused internships.

Then by 2011-12, it would be gr. 7 and 8 at Fanning, 9 and 10 at Creamer, 11 and 12 at Ed Resource Center, as well as returnees (kids coming back who had dropped out). Assistant Principal at the larger sites, a Lead Teacher at the smaller sites.

Bringing the kids back into the district would save us money. Might potentially reallocate teachers. There is funding associated with the Simon Foundation, as well (1/3,from them, 1/3 from us,1/3 from other foundations and volunteers, she says). Need a School Committee letter of intent in order for this to move forward.

Here's the information about how this works.

Monfredo went to the meeting with the Simon Foundation. Cost savings: asks for a breakdown on savings. Additional narrative in writing, as well.

O'Connell: major change for next year is that the night program goes into large prgram, Fanning comes under direct WPS oversight, and one administrator over all of the programs.

Mulqueen says not so much adding on as reconfiguring.

Cheryl Delsignore asks if the alternative evening program would be gone? No, it will be in the mall, but will continue. Possible flex time working schedule? Staff at Fanning don't work for WPS right now.

O'Connell asks for timing. Letter ASAP. Mulqueen says before the end of March for this to work for next fall.

Delsignore asks how long this lasts: three to five initially, but they have a long term support mechanism in place.

Biancheria wants to know if this is going to go out to the community before there being any vote of the School Committee. This will be part of the meetings held at each quadrant.