Public comment:

Tim Garvin, United Way, presenting "a community response"
he stresses that it is a community response (not THE response)
United Way, Stand for Children, Jewish Family Services, Christian Community Church
He comes around to pass out copies


Jabian Gutierrez cites the Superintendent's compact
"certain strategies that will lead to success for all students"
cites the turnaround funds received today
"it was really clear how the district prioritized parents"
"it was exciting to see how" the eleven essential conditions worked for the turnaround schools (?)
then to innovation schools
make sure we're all aligned

Jewish Family Service: successes in the past year
"the gold standard is that there are successes and improvements"
"plenty of issues that can be discussed, but there's real progress"
"improvement for students of all levels"
"ongoing meaningful partnerships, STEM education, reading and math performances"

"district needs to respond urgently around achievement gaps"
"School Committee has not come together as it should"
democratic process, healthy debate, best outcome for students, student debate

asking, offering: you'll find that here
We've imported the statewide director of Stand for Children: Public statement "in the spirit of democratic support"

graduate of the WPS, father of three: "the system works for some but not all"
"kids of color are underperforming in comparison with other children"
"current policies in place act as barriers to kids of color"
"I'm encouraged by the opportunity for my kids and other kids of color to get" a good education
asking "to launch an investigation into policies and practices" of WPS
is sure they're racially biased, and then asks that they be replaced

parent at Claremont, pleased with the education her son is getting
excited about the Promise Neighborhood
great academic improvement in her schools in the past five years
more parents involved

sixth grade teacher at Woodland Academy, has taught for ten years
requested to go to Woodland
"have created an environment that is extremely conducive to learning...focuses on the whole student"
a much better teacher today than he was when he started
"convince you to help us pursue becoming an innovation school"
"we know our students the best"
(Woodland isn't on the list of innovation schools for this year)

focused instructional coach at Woodland, who's been here since August
put all our focus on growth and high achievement

Principal at Woodland
"to support my families as well as my teachers"
"move forward with the Worcester Compact"

Rev. Rivera: "pleased with the way that the district is heading"
"being part of Chandler Elementary has been wonderful..has been progressing"
"working in unity..not uniformity"

parent of a son who goes to Elm Park, has an IEP
teacher says my son is not going to be a lawyer, and he's a second grader
"most of the teachers don't have the cultural competency to teach these kids"
a lot of the teachers don't look like me, a lot of the administrators don't look like me
"will you really understand people who look like me"
It's more than that; it's about teachers really caring
"I wish I'd gone to Fanning when I was younger, 'cause I'd probably be on School Committee with you guys"
"we want more teachers like that" (at Fanning)

Black Legacy has been working with WPS for over a year
"excited about opportunities under the leadership of Dr. Boone"
"strong collaborative effort"
"hope that all of these groups will work together"
"we are in support of democratic discourse...we expect to be a catalyst"
"we respect the school committee as a policy making body"
disparities at Worcester Tech admissions
barriers to students of color
"evidenced-based practices aimed to close the achievement gap"

director of the Worcester Youth Center
"look at the children that are not successing in the schools"

Monfredo: "democracy at its best"
please come back again

Mayor O'Brien: education doesn't happen in a vaccuum
resources at the table
have challenges in our schools and in our city
remarkably diverse student body...struggle with disparities in achievement between children of color and white children
"welcome the discussion and the dialogue"

Foley: great things going on, issues
level the playing field
"great initiatives out there"

O'Connell: "very heartening...active, energized, engaged"
"if the public is not watching us closely, we may not receive the advice we need"
"all know the scope of the challenge"
"how will this School Committee address the sensitive issues that are confronted..."
committee that confronts items with passionate debate
"what happens out of the public eye is more important"
cites the retreat
goals..committed to that...
"when crucial issues come up...we do work together as a group"
"collegiality does trump what otherwise would take place"
asks that suggestions be presented in clear ways: what happens nationally, specific suggestions
coming to standing committees