100 years of experience

...nearly, says the mayor, between herself, Hargrove, and Bogigian, with WPS (counting working experience and years on School Committee).
"our greatest economic asset"

Late start to laudatory remarks

The School Committee got a late start coming out of executive session (Mr. Foley remarks that there was cake, too). They've now started, and the first item on the agenda is laudatory remarks for those who are leaving this evening; this is the last meeting for Bob Bogigian, Dottie Hargrove, and Mayor Lukes.

Questions and comments from the members

Mrs. Mullaney asks if the 10th grade MCAS scores are first time test-takers (it's off the DoE site); yes, they get better over time (so, good point implicitly made by Mrs. Mullaney, do we want them to do it once only and make proficient? Yes, the superintendent says.)
Students tell her that they want to pass the MCAS sooner rather than later, so they can move forward

Mr. Foley says it makes since it makes sense to talk about this first; budget will focus on achievement of these goals
part of the question is where do they start, even in kindergarten? Front-loading literacy...especially in large class sizes moving forward into FY11
curriculum now all under CAO; early childhood now part of same curriculum as the rest of the district; seamless approach to the curriculum, says the superintendent
Mr. Foley comments on the high success of Head Start kids; partnerships with families and pre-K programs

Mr. Monfredo trend in primary grades--70% of kids needing improvement--something needs to be done. Head Start and preschool needs to expand; reaching out to not only parents, but teachers. "somehow or other" talking to staff to get them on board

Mr. O'Connell refers to "the compact which you've proposed for our consideration" (!: was it for their consideration?) says it's achievable, parents base decisions on whether their individual child is doing well (not MCAS scores) starting at teacher level
cultural issues within the school: are teachers setting as high standards as they can and should? are we supporting those who do? are the principals and admin supporting those teachers?
if day begins and ends with a level of excitement and children are excited about learning, the scores will follow (interesting theory...or do the two work against each other?)
"good plan, a good direction"
"You've just captured what we know makes a difference" --successful relationships--engagement with teachers(we then should make sure that keeping those teachers and keeping their excitement level up is central to what we are doing)

Ms. Hargrove: highest rates of illiteracy is in prison (? is that right?)
professional development of teachers talking to teachers, rather than a speaker coming in preschool and K development; critical time
interface with our service providers
How much do we have to say about what happens in our critical schools? A great deal, the superintendent says. MOU coming in January; "allows us to develop a plan for those schools...to support and develop our plan" (that'd be RTTT $) Someone from the state sitting in on our "leadership team meetings" (the administration meetings)...state partner at the table with us on a regular basis...a lot of latitude on what we do. Ongoing professional development
School committee will see plan for critical schools at January meeting

Mr. Bogigian "you have instilled confidence in the ranks and in the public...never said 'I don't think we can maintain the status quo, nevermind move forward' People...will fall in line."

Mayor asks what we do with this item: she says it's setting the stage for future work...superintendent reports will be under this catagory

Underperforming schools under a superintendent report: "this is a road map for us"

Mr. Monfredo asks how we're going to change what's going on with our primary grades (in MCAS scores); wants a report
Mr. O'Connell wants to approve the plan in concept; report back to SC at its disgression and as needed; asks that this plan be forwarded to CPPAC, SpedPAC (and I didn't catch who else)...approved
Superintendent says that this will be a foundation to evaluate her
Ms. Hargrove wants a very structured phoenics program in the lower elementary grades (from the national reading panel); this will be in the instructional audit

HR report: School Committee weighs in

Mr. Monfredo says that he would agree with hiring year-round.
"what was a difficult episode in WPS was resolved with reason, was resolved with professionalism" according to Mr. Bogigian.
Mr. O'Connell is most concerned, he says, with the licensure obligations. "We're at the beginning of this process," he says. "Do we hire the very best people avaliable, or do we hire the people who know" people?...beyond the scope of this task force. "Hiring based on merit, quality...do we de-politicize the process as much as possible for public employement?"
Mr. Foley cites this as a "great example of how non-profit and business entities" can help out WPS. In eliminating the teachers involved last year, "we cut two great teachers" and incurred unemployment costs. Hiring strong people more quickly ("though that point may be moot for FY11")...motion to admin to compare our HR to ours..."on our administration side, we are lean across the board"
Ms. Hargrove "said last April that we had a very competant HR staff...we do have a very good school system"
Mayor Lukes "collectively grateful to you for undertaking" this task. Calls this medicine "to cure what ails us...good guidelines to follow" Have to dispell those perceptions..bring transparency to the process. Most important is to move forward with this..."will hear over and over again 'we need reform' " She'd like to see the task force stay around "and tell us whether we've passed or failed"

Bogigian on FY11

asks that they expand on "continuous learning for adults"
Mulqueen "we are continuously improving the system...we have to get better at everything we do...bus driver, custodian, all have to get better at it"
That's what he means by adult learning

likes that the whole philosophy is based on the student

Questions

Monfredo: doesn't like Safety Officer reporting to anyone under the superintendent. In fact, he's suggesting that the change not be made this year. He also says there's been inadequete transparency in the Title 1 budget, but maybe this will get better with the Title 1 being under the CFOO.

O'Connell: largely likes being kept up to date. Pleased she's making changes already. He suggests a year-to-year monitoring. He has similar concerns to Monfredo (and he's basically saying that he's had lots of experience with this, more so than Boone), raising the stabbing at South High in the late 80's. "We really have much less difficulty and a much more ordered environment" than many urban districts. He also wants a solid line to the superintendent..order..urge strongly...direct report. He also would like the director of special education report directly to the superintendent (referencing here special ed parents, of whom two, the co-chairs of SpedPAC, are here, as they often are).

Bogigian : vital position, day-to-day contact, split-second decisions, can't go through another person, "that's the way it has worked for years" and he again brings up South High School

Mullaney : wants first to know if they're voting to approve this or if they get a say, in fact. She thinks it's a reasonable number of people under her purview. Thinks not having safety under her is fine. Doesn't agree on special education, either. Thinks he's the equivelent of the quadrant manager.
And this is for informational purposes: they don't get a vote.

Foley: coherent, consistent, thinks having a limited number of people reporting to her is good, "I'm okay with that" We're making progress

Hargrove: also praises the report

Bogigian can't believe it

Mr. Bogigian, referring to "this vast paper," cannot believe that they can't find "three inches" to say something nice about the Worcester Public Schools.
He isn't willing to let this go.
(Mr. O'Connell has suggested that we follow up with their suggestion that they put it on their website.)

Lunchtime and six month plans

Some of us are hoping that they’ll break for lunch here…ooh, not breaking for lunch “having a working lunch”
Expectations six months out? is what they are to be thinking about over lunch.
Concerns and issues:
· Budget vs. service
· Technology & marketing
· Competition: impact on funding…diversity opportunities
· Core strategies for underperforming schools
· Expectations high enough across city: top-down vs. bottom-up: Boone speaks of a collaboration, but says “research is clear” that urban districts do best with a top-down until things improve, then control can be loosened.
· Monfredo speaks of getting kids on grade level (reading on grade level by grade 3), and he wants to look at curriculum; Mullaney wants to not only see kids as people who need to pass the tests; kids who are going to have no problem need challenges too; (dang, is she really not all that pro-MCAS?)….ah, “Worcester has been able to retain a middle-class, college-educated population...”other districts are freed up to focus on other things.
· Family involvement: embrace family involvement: “parents as key players”
· School safety: something about bullying programs
· Alternative assessment
· Next generation of leaders in Worcester Public Schools
· Hargrove: “What is success?”
· Foley wants leadership training for principals
· 25% of budget and population is special ed: how do we get them succeed? (Foley)
· Healthy Communities (Worcester is doing this as a city) (Foley)
· Professional development for teachers (Monfredo)
· Transparency in Title I budget (Monfredo)
· Mayor: maintaining services in underperforming schools during budget crunch: “making parents part of the solution...looking at reforms” Foley suggests having budget hearings of a sort early
· Extended Learning Schools: have they improved? What difference has it made, if any? (this from Hargrove)
· Math: what recommendations, what makes sense? (Monfredo)
· Listen to teachers’ concerns: CEO visibility (O’Connell)
· Collaborate with social agencies
· ELL students (look at how far down this is!)

Plan Development:
Accountability and strategic plan
Benchmarks for student achievement
Mayor Lukes says that she’s heard good things on the retreat Boone ran last week with the leadership of the Administration. Boone has them energized to move forward and (according to Lukes) make changes that need to be made. Foley praises her having met with so many people during her visits with the community. She’s been appointed to at least three boards since she was appointed superintendent. And now just about everyone else is saying something nice about her, what’s she’s done, the presentation she’s made. Bogigian tells (Boone? Everyone?) not to be afraid of change…it’s why we went outside the school system…have this community with you, because perception is so important and your perception is one of strength.

conversation about School Committee conversation

Jack Foley asking where to go with questions from constituents…does she want all calls to go to her office? “Next step folks” she says (CFO, CAO, Dr. Friel), but she also wants to know, if available. Foley expresses concern about inundating her with calls, but she says that is part of their relationship. And she’s going to bring it back to staff. Mullaney says this is a bit of a switch, as she has previously gone to, say, the head of curriculum for a math question. Boone reiterates that she would want to know, as it becomes part of the larger conversation she is having with the School Committee. (OOOH, of all examples, she’s just chosen, in speaking to Mary Mullaney, of having four years of math in high school!) Every example Mullaney comes up with (bus being late), Boone says she wants to know. Mullaney says she has a problem with calling her over everything, fearing it will “bog her down.” Boone says it will only bog her down in the first year, it’s part of the job, she’s “not a control freak”…she is “the newbie to the district, and this is how she learns this.” Bogigian points out that sometimes he doesn’t agree with a person, sometimes he’s just asking a question. She agrees that it’s fine, that you need information. Boone thinks of going forward with joint City Council/School Committee meetings; how does she support your ability to communicate effectively in those sessions?
Quinn wants to go back to press…if someone calls you and wants to know your position…Lukes says it’s done individually. Hargrove says she didn’t have enough information to say something that would go out to the public. Boone is conducting a communications audit: “We’ve got to figure how we communicate…who are the key people?”
(Lunch just arrived from the Broadway)
Foley talks about executive session stuff saying “No comment” but beyond that, responding as individuals. O’Connell talks about educating themselves to educate the public through the media. Would we ever have a spokesman? No. Quinn didn’t know that there was no public relations department. He says they need to be “proactive about getting your message out” (exchanges of looks by reporters here)…”they’ll pick up on the negative” Foley on getting message out, advocating for superintendent being the point person. Monfredo thinks she could have a radio or TV show. Bogigian suggests adding point person to CAO position. She goes back to communication audit. Lukes agrees that she needs to be the person herself so she is known by the community.

Not-so-liveblog of the Worcester School Committee retreat: to subcommittee or not to subcommittee?

Mary Mullaney says she is intrigued by this notion of having no subcommittees. Looking back and saying “why do we need it?” She is referencing here the voke school subcommittee established to merge in the voke school. He asks how much time they spend in subcommittee; she says it depends on the committee chair. He suggests making one monthy meeting a study session, and the other meeting a reaction. Bogigian wonders if all items really ought to be referred to subcommittee as a matter of course; the merits are not weighed before referred. Lukes says that School Committee members ought to monitor themselves. Mullaney says they generally have been deferentially to each other (but if they are talking to each other, it shouldn’t be offensive). Foley says he’s intrigued by this; subcommittees have worked well in his experience, but it would save on staff time; need to be much more strategic. Boone has already talked about changing her superintendent reports. He points out that this would be much more easy for constituent services. Monfredo expresses concern about the democratic process; voting items down without hearing them; don’t want to do away with advocacy of children. Suggested change of rules so public is allowed to speak without suspension of rules. Hargrove is looking for models: maybe they should meet more than twice a month. Mullaney suggests following the City Council model: one superintendent report meeting, one Committee meeting.
T&G photographer just came in (10:16 am)
(This is particularly interesting in light of the conversations that had been going on over whether staff members could be expected to report to evening meetings, which would have to happen if the School Committee went to this model…assuming of course that they didn’t instead move their meetings to during the day.)
He suggests more from Jon Carter; he’s going to send them something to read
Mary Mullaney has just raised the issue again of individual board members, and he’s drawn a distinction between acting as a parent versus acting as a board member.
There’s a break here, during which a number of School Committee members mention that they’re not so sure about eliminating subcommittees.

Not-so-liveblog of the Worcester School Committee retreat: #2

2. School Committee and Superintendent (referenced here as CEO and Board) are interdependent (reference here to “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”): Board has “ownership” and Superintendent has “professional management”. Board has been elected to “always speak your truth…and vote your conscience”…strong and independent ideas must be given up once board has decided otherwise…must support decision as voted. Analogy made to Green Bay Packers board, who hire the coach but on game day are not on the sidelines (he says that would look like the Detroit Lions)...line between setting overall policy and running day-to-day..Jack Foley is saying we need to look for consensus…pull back rather than have a 3-4 vote…recommendation from presenter to “take the time” if possible…Mary Mullaney says that “because the meetings are televised, things could be constrained…there’s often been informal discussions before the item coming on the” agenda for a vote…”take the pulse” of the School Committee..discussion happening in subcommittee…”I was a little uncomfortable” with supporting a decision that has been made with which she disagrees..presenter says you don’t have to agree with an issue to support a decision…Mullaney disagrees, saying she can think of times that wouldn’t be true. Presenter says”have to make the relationships work”…”chaos in the board meetings is chaos in the classrooms” “Politics as blood sport has no place in this relationship” Foley “I think a 4-3 vote is a loss for the School Committee…how can we reach a compromise, how can we come to consensus” Hargrove: “I don’t know how you separate the polical from what is best for the little ones”…”my whole belief system doesn’t match up with the whole polical thing that goes on” Mayor: to make decisions requires disagreement…would not take back those votes…a 4-3 vote, in itself, is not something to be avoided…difficult to see beyond” the current time. “constrained by the charter, our political and philosophical beliefs…personal grudges feared more than anything else” (she references here the superintendent’s search)…Foley is quick is say that he wasn’t thinking that…Mayor suggests that holding a vote (like the City Council can) for a week could work, maybe a rule change…some conversation around lining up a majority vote over time…Bogigian asks “how much do we owe the electorate when they email or call”…when he gets a lot of contact on an issue, he feels he must do something about it…”have a little bit of consensus with the public”

Not-so-liveblog of the Worcester School Committee retreat: School Committee intros

Mary Mullaney saying she came here today “with a blank slate” (this is her 16th year)
Jack Foley (his 10th year) “focusing our school committee meetings” “strategic, policy-centric”
Dottie Hargrove “passion for public schools” (she’s finishing her first term); she says she’s “new at this, never attended a retreat”
John Monfredo “make sure that I try to make a difference in the community” (after his retirement; he’s been on for four years): he’d like “to look at best practices”
Bob Bogigian (finishing his first term as well) “thought it might be a good thing for me to get on the other side of it” (after working as an administrator)…he owns a small stable of racehorses (who knew?)
Brian O’Connell gets a laugh by saying that he’s at his midpoint in his service on school committee (this is his, count ‘em, 26th year) ; he says he also is looking to coordinate with the superintendent on policies and goals that they set together
Mayor Lukes says that her approach to government is always that of questioning (due to her background); more openness, agenda should be “less public relations and recognitions, and more business related” should look at what they are filing and why they are filing them. Expectations “are not high” due to the City Council (need another retreat on the City Council)…now she’s going into having the retreat outside the city, saying the city is “unsophisticated”…says that having reporters and public there “blogging, taking notes…had a chilling effect on the conversation”
Dr. Boone: “perfect match for my philosophy that we can improve our public education accomplishments”: develop our roles and relationships to improve student achievement; “don’t allow dollars to drive…but make our choices for students and line up our” money accordingly

Considering the budget

We are now considering the budget.
Ms. Mullaney would like to address the budget (as she and the Mayor were not present, as they were at the Burncoat graduation), and particularly the administrative reorganization that is saving $500,000. She opposes the new accountability person. "I have not been persuaded this position is necessary...$26 million coming up next year, 400 teachers...cannot add another person to the table of organization...I cannot vote for that kind of expenditure.."
She wants another roll call vote (so she can vote with Brian O'Connell).
Mr. Monfredo says the new superintendent requests this, and we will evaluate next year.
okay, we're talking not about the Chief Academic Officer, as it's being advertised..right. Chief Accountability Officer
Brian O'Connell says we have a number of administrative positions in play. She may be able to find within the current confines of the administration and its budget. He's voting against this postion. If it's that important, she can find the dollars for it.
Mr. Bogigian says suppose Dr. Boone comes on and she can find the money...what if instead we fund the money and let her do the restructuring she's planning to..."it will more than ten times pay for this position...let's have confidence that she can bring the money that will pay for this position over and over again"
Ms. Hargrove says yesterday's meeting was very unpleasant and very sobering. We will need to "think outside of the box...a massive, massive issue...We need to assist her in this time." Supports the position.
Mr. Foley...major issue in FY11, $26 million deficit, systemic review of the changes...looking for successful outcomes in the system.."One of her first requests of us...courtesy to approve the position" Supports putting it in the budget.
Mayor Lukes wanted to hold the budget to have the meeting with the state delegation, "'though there didn't seem to be any compelling issues" on the budget. Somewhat uncomfortable with having to vote an additional position. Thinks that adding positions is not reality. Not possible. "We have to look at everything..." She wants a list of new positions for next year. Mayor Lukes wants to know what our legal status is in voting a budget if we have to keep looking at it in the coming year...Mr. Allen says that historically there are adjustments made into the year, and he says that budgetarily, they are within their perogative to revamp the budget into the coming year. To the mayor's question of when the budget is done, Mr. Allen stops himself from saying "next June."
Mayor Lukes asks him to comment on the report in the T&G that we aren't saving any money in the superintendent's office...her office is staffed as it was at the beginning of the year, rather than the end of the year, thus no change in the amount of money.
Vote is four to three, keeping the position of Chief Accountability Officer.

Lauding Dr. Loughlin

"There are some who resist change...there are some who" didn't cooperate, says Mr. Bogigian, speaking of the interm superintendent. "It was all about the kids."
Much talk (with some wonder) from members of the interm superintendent visiting every school in the city in her first month. That hasn't happened much.
Ms. Hargrove is using the projects fair as a frame for talking about Dr. Loughlin. And quoting Scarlett O'Hara, and closes by talking about planting trees under which one never expects to sit in the shade...giving a nice segue to Mr. Foley, who says we could use the trees in Burncoat.
Mr. Foley is now likening her to "Brigadoon" in that she comes back every six years.
There has not, the EAW president says, been a time in the history of collective bargaining when the superintendent gave the union president a hug at the close of negotiations.

Nurses

Mr. Bogigian wants to know how many supervisers there are: two, and they fill in when there are absences, and they do some screenings as well.
Ms. Hargrove wants to know if we have someone in every building: this brings us close, but we've been providing some from a federal grant to fill in, and that grant has been cut.

Misc salaries

Including a grab bag:
Adult ed
special ed summer schools
Clark Masters program (Mr. O'Connell would like to see us re-impliment this)
cheerleader advisers ($12,000)
Community schools: level service, level funding
Future teachers' academy
Police service
Translators ($100,000)

Mr. O'Connell wants to spend more on the future teachers' academy, too.
Mr. Bogigian on community schools: how many did we have in FY08? There were six more (we had 10); it was $258,000 then. Now we are spending a bit over $200,000; he wants to know how this money works out. Do we, he asks, have a community school run by 21st Century grant?

Also, this from the translators section:
"Additional language translations will be required for Office of Civil Rights compliance"
We are currently out of compliance under civil rights laws, and we are not budgeting enough to get into compliance. It seems we probably have underbudgeted here to keep us in legal compliance.

Much conversation going on about community schools. The Mayor ties this to pools being open and having things for the children to do.

Day-by-day subs

Mr. Bogigian speaks on standards of day-to-day subs.
"One of the reasons we can't get subs is the pay" (this is disbuted by administrators to my left)
He'd like to see us put in a raise.
Ms. Luster addresses this: most subs have BA's at least. Received accolades for program now that they have an automated program. "It's not the same as when the regular teacher is in the classroom."
Mr. Monfredo: good subs...do we know who they are?
Principals can give certain subs priority to their vacancies; some schools will thus have a harder time finding subs.
Mr. O'Connell is asking if that's a motion on raising sub pay.
Mr. Foley "caution about asking for an increase" Is there an impact of the economy on this? Recommendation from administration on this, please.

Repairs

Mr. Monfredo is proposing that "repair, remodel, and restore" be the new motto of the Worcester Public Schools plant.
He wants to have volunteerism in sprucing up schools.
Referring to Community and Employee Issues

The Mayor says she's sure there are legal opinions "floating around out there."
Mr. Bogigian says "there have to be safeguards." He mentions liability.
Mr. O'Connell mentions work at Worcester Arts Magnet done by parents and inmates at the County House of Correction. He says that the collective bargaining with tradespeople was one issue in the past; he also agrees that liability was an issue, but speaks of a "carefully considered balancing of the" risks and benefits.

Principals do what?

Mr. Bogigian speaking on the role of principals in hiring teachers. "I think we've neglected that" in our latest discussions over Human Resources. He suggests that perhaps it should go to the task force.
The Mayor doesn't think it should go to the HR task force.