October Board of Ed: FY20 budget

Craven: annual letter that the Board sends to the Secretary for consideration
process by which Ch.70 is being evaluated
"how the Department should talk with that"
"I think there were ten working groups on aspects of the foundation budget"
"we do know that in a district as small as Holyoke...having no answer over time isn't an answer"
the letter says "be directed to districts with identified achievement gaps in student learning to support reforms that have evidence of narrowing achievement gaps"

The Board of Ed meets Monday and Tuesday

The Board of Education holds its October meeting Monday and Tuesday of next week; the agenda is posted here.
The Monday evening portion is the MCAS results discussion as well as the discussion on district and school accountability measures. And yes, I'm going to go to that, as well, because it's necessary.

Tuesday morning is their regular meeting; the briefing from the Acting Commissioner is here. Along with the usual round of Acting Commissioner, Chair, Secretary, and public comment, they'll elect the vice-chair (memo on that here).
We'll hear a recap of the previous night's presentation followed by discussion of the competency determination, aka the MCAS graduation requirement, usually taken in grade 10; at the previous meeting, Acting Commissioner Wulfson spoke of the need for an interim step on the transition to the grading standards of the new test, and this looks like more on that.

There's a discussion of the FY19 budget (with no backup. And by the way, I'd be interested in the revenue stream the Department runs on).

There's an update coming on the Level 5 districts and schools. This includes an update on the search for a new Southbridge receiver; they plan to have the position posted in mid-October...UPDATE: I am told the position is posted. There are also updates on the Dever and UP Academy in Boston, Morgan Community in Holyoke, and Parker Elementary in New Bedford. It's interesting to note that in two of those cases, the schools are now operating under their district superintendent, 'though reporting directly to DESE. There's also a schedule of upcoming presentations, which includes one of the Springfield Empowerment Zone (Interesting, as it isn't under a level 5 designation).

There's a report on the revoking of educator licenses (this came up during the revisions to licensure regulations), on which the Globe reported today. I'm interested if the increase in the revoking of licenses is as a result of increased reporting or something else.

Among the reports going to the Board (but not for discussion) is one on school breakfast.

Liveblogs next week! 

September Board of Ed: legislation

McKenna now a visiting professor at Tufts: on civics: doing a survey working on everything going on K-12 in civic engagement
Breakfast in the classroom: look at the budget, there is language on breakfast in the classroom
chair of the Joint Committee thinks that it already mandates DESE to do regulations by January 2018 to mandate implementation for all schools
Wulfson: will come back with data on what's required, on what requirements are, and next steps

The backup is here.
right in middle of process
Joint Committee currently has 338 bills in committee, has released 17 bills favorably, has had 9 hearings.
"make sure we are both proactively and reactively commenting on bills"
"many committees do ask us for our comments"
bills may look quite different by the time they get to the House or Senate floor "and then it gets amended"

Wulfson: as an executive agency, "we don't feel it's our role to advocate on specific legislation"
"we see our role as being the honest brokers and the technical experts"
resource for legislators in drafting bills
Legislature's job is to enact the laws; our job is to carry them out

Moriarty: is this the agency that calculates the unfunded level of mandates?
Wulfson: unofficially we'll be asked; office of local mandates in auditor's office
Not everything that costs money is an unfunded mandate

Doherty: believe Board has taken a position in the past on ballot questions
notes the Fair Share question is coming
should consider over the next several months "if this Board has a responsibility on taking a position on increased funding for education"

Worcester School Committee meets Thursday

The Worcester School Committee meets Thursday. You can find the agenda here.
It appears it is time once again to honor Mr. Allen for receiving the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officers International. 🎈
The schools receiving the EoS Breakfast awards are also being recognized (and the awards being accepted), making it appropriate that the report is on school nutrition (not yet posted, though today's announcement may well mean it's being revised! UPDATE: posted)
Not having exhausted the discussion at the subcommittee level, the committee will be discussing their concerns over wifi. Salient point:

...extensive research into the matter has not produced any solid evidence that non-ionizing radiation given off by smartphones and Wi-Fi routers is harmful to humans...

They'll be voting a delegate and an alternative to the MASC Delegate Assembly in November.
Not having acted last week, they're considering a resolution on the Foundation Budget Review Commission's findings.
And Miss Biancheria wishes to:

review the precautionary measures and safety features under the safety regulations of the bus contracts for both the Worcester Public Schools and Durham School Services.

The 7th grade science text book is up for review (That'll go to TLSS)

There is an executive session beforehand for an HVAC employee grievance (again?) and collective bargaining for teachers (still). But hey: NO PCBs!  
I'll see if I can make at least the nutrition presentation; I'll be interested to see what difference the federal change makes 

The February Board of Education meeting: starting with opening remarks and "about last night"

The Board of Education meets today at 8:30; the agenda is here. 
Last night, after a significant amount of public comment, the Board voted to approve the Plymouth charter,  Old Sturbridge Village charter, and the Westfield charter, despite concerns around its Gulen ties.  It approved all expansion plans except the plans for the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, around which there was significant testimony around their lack of serving all students.
posting as we go

Board of Ed: report on Level 5 schools

You can find the backup here
Pia Durkin of New Bedford is here to talk about the Parker School
Chester says he sees her as turning around the district as well
Durkin: a gift to be able to serve as their receiver

House Child Nutrition bill would hit remove some from universal free lunch

The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education released their reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act yesterday. That links to the bill: the release is here; the summary is here. While there are several things going on with the bill, there is one alarming change for a number of districts across the country, as pointed out by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (among others):

If Chairman Rokita’s bill becomes law, 7,022 schools now using community eligibility to simplify their meal programs and improve low-income students’ access to meals would have to reinstate applications and return to monitoring eligibility in the lunch line within two years, as we’ve explained.  These schools serve nearly 3.4 million students.  Another 11,647 schools that qualify for community eligibility but have not yet adopted it would lose eligibility. This is due to the bill raising the percentage of students needed for Community Eligibility to 60% from 40%.

CBPP has put together a spreadsheet on which districts in particular would lose eligibility; this of course doesn't include districts that have been fighting to get their eligibility up to 40% (through making sure the records are all in and students are all registered for the programs for which they are qualified).
In Massachusetts, this includes a number of charter schools (including, Worcester, Seven Hills) and at least some schools in the following districts:

• Athol-Royalston
• Gardner
• Gill-Montague
• Greater New Bedford Tech
• Hawlemont Regional
• Orange
• Quabog
• Salem
• Southbridge
• Taunton
• Wales
• Waltham
• Wareham
• Webster
• West Springfield

And, again, this doesn't include the districts that have yet to get to 40% but are working to be sure their records are complete.

Should this be of concern, get in touch with your representative.

Costs per breakfast over time

Interesting chart from USDA:

As always, you can click to make it bigger.

The numbers are from the last available data, which is from 2004, unfortunately, but the conclusion--that there were fewer breakfasts being served, but costs fell as numbers increased--bears out. 

I'd be interested in seeing if something further is seen with Community Eligibility as it increases participation.

Meeting the needs of students in poverty (MASC conference)

Margaret McKenna, who introduces herself as the daughter of two Central Falls (RI) schoolteachers.
"the first thing we should do is say the word 'poverty'"
"you don't hear it much said now...it should be the number one topic"

Universal free lunch (and breakfast!) for our first full week

The menus for next week are up!
If you go to a school with a full kitchen, you can find the full menu here.
If you go to an elementary school without a kitchen, you can find the menu for the full month here.

And did you see? Not only in Worcester, but nationwide, our school lunches are becoming healthier.

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?

NOT US!!

(click to make it bigger)

UPDATE: And what's for lunch? If you're in an elementary school without a kitchen, you'll find your menu here. All other schools, see this menu. 

BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION!

Here we go! This just in from Superintendent Boone's office:

ALL STUDENTS – GRADES 1 - 12
STARTING DATE: August 26, 2015

CAFETERIA
The cost of the paid lunch has been increased from $1.65 to $1.75, reduced price meals will remain at $0.40. Note from me: stay tuned, however: the School Committee takes up universal free lunch and breakfast next week. 
All schools will be serving breakfast and lunch beginning on August 26, 2015.

PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS will report on August 31st, 2015 as stated in the individual notification letter sent to parents.
HEADSTART STUDENTS will report as stated in the individual notification letter sent to parents.
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS will begin school on August 31st, 2015. The Worcester Public
Schools will be screening Kindergarten children by appointment on August 26th, August 27th and August 28th. If your child does not have an appointment for screening, contact the school your child is registered at after August 17th.

STUDENT TRANSFERS:
Elementary: Please call the Parent Information Center for additional information regarding documentation needed for student transfer:
Dr. James L. Garvey Center for Parent Information
768 Main Street
Tel: 508-799-3450
Monday – Friday: 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Middle and High School: Students transferring between Middle and High Schools: parent/guardian must go to their child’s school to request a transfer slip and to return any books and/or materials. Parent/Guardian must take the transfer slip to the new school to complete the registration. (Please see school hours)

NEW STUDENTS:
All registration for Elementary Schools, Pre-K, Kindergarten through Grade 6, will be conducted at the following location:
Dr. James L. Garvey Center for Parent Information
768 Main Street
Tel: 508-799-3450
Monday – Friday: 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Registration for middle and high school may also be conducted at the above OR at the home school. Please call the school for an appointment.
Burncoat Middle 508-799-3390 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Mon – Fri.
Claremont Academy 508-799-3077 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
Forest Grove Middle 508-799-3420 7:30 am – 2:30 pm Mon. – Fri.
Sullivan Middle 508-799-3350 8:30 am – 1:30 pm Mon. – Fri.
Worcester East Middle 508-799-3430 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
University Park Campus 508-799-3591 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
Burncoat High 508-799-3300 7:00 am – 1:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
 Doherty Memorial High 508-799-3270 7:30 am – 2:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
North High 508-799-3370 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Mon. – Fri.
South High Community 508-799-3325 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Mon. – Fri.

I would expect bus routes to be posted next week. Questions? Send them along!

Breakfast in the classroom

Important clarification on regs on breakfast in the clasroom and hours of instruction

Finance and Operations: grants

Allen: may have noticed the number of grants included in the budget document
full budget reconciliation report for when the city does their tax recap process

• changes to the final state budget
• changes to charter school assessment
• final state grants
• impact of city free cash
• net final position for FY15

Novick: concerns

Allen; unfreezing of sequestration

if it comes back, could be another significant reduction to grants

Lombardi: extra 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetable mandated for breakfast

concerns with others doing breakfast in the classrooms

Ramirez: are the kids eating?

Lombardi: it depends. Vegetables at breakfast don't go over very well.

Foley: still budgeting 1%

short $800,000, then, as city takes 3%

Back to School information

...is now posted on the district website.  A few highlights:

• Students in grades 1 through 12 go back to school on Wednesday, August 27. 
• Kindergarten and preschool students start on Tuesday, September 2. Kindergarten students will be screened at their schools on August 27-29 by appointment. If you don't have an appointment yet, call the school (list of schools and phone numbers here) after August 18.
• Lunch and breakfast will be served on the first day. Note that full priced lunch has increased in price this year to $1.75. 

Here come the marathon meetings: School Committee meets June 5

The first of our two long ones is this coming Thursday, June 5.
Remember that our June meetings are effectively double-headers: budget at 4, regular session at 7.
Thus, beginning at 4pm, we will be considering the FY15 Worcester Public Schools budget, beginning with the School Committee account (for our salaries, set by city charter) and continuing on from there.
We'll break at six for our executive session, and come back at 7pm for the regular agenda.

On the agenda:

• honoring the teacher of the year and finalists (as announced last night)
• recognizing the students who are going to the international DECA conference
• The report of the Superintendent is the mid-cycle report (no back-up as yet...)
• We have a boatload of recognitions and congratulations on this agenda, so I'd recommend you take a look at them all!
• And speaking of which, we are being asked to vote acceptance of the donations from EOS for our universal school breakfast programs. 
• We're being asked to accept the $75,000 state planning grant for Claremont Academy's innovation plan.
• We're being asked to accept the $51,753 state grant for math and science (which looks like it's for professional development? But I'll ask).
• We're being asked to accept the $94,292 state grant for academic support and learning (which is for getting kids to pass MCAS? I think?).
• We have the annual request that the Superintendent be allowed the discretion to transfer funds as needed within the budget to close the fiscal year.
• Mr. O'Connell wants to review the second grade pedestrian safety training with an eye to expansion (as yet it's a pilot). 
• He's also, per the opinion received this week from the Mass Association of School Committees that this is a policy decision, suggesting that the Worcester School Committee vote to use the MCAS rather than the PARCC next spring. The early submission deadline on that is June 30.
• I have three items, all asking that we look at what it would mean to bump back secondary school start times (through the research, through the impact on teaching and learning, and through operations), all heading off to subcommittees.
• And I've asked for what the calculation would look like if the foundation budget funded actual enrollment of special education, rather than the flat percentage that it does now.

Have I told you lately how amazing Donna Lombardi is?

...but don't take my word for it: here's Representative McGovern today on the floor of the House of Representatives:



Today Worcester Public School Nutrition Director Donna Lombardi received this year's Healthy Start Leadership Award from the EOS Foundation, for the great work she's been doing (and, I have it on good authority, is going to continue to push to do!) on getting breakfast into kids by having universal breakfast in the classroom. 

We also had 18 of our elementary schools recognized for having 80% or better participation rate for the past year on breakfast. All of our elementary schools in Worcester that have poverty rates of 60% or above have universal breakfast in the classroom. 

And it won't stop there!

Congratulations, Donna! Well deserved!

Opening of School Report

Boone: thanks all those who did work throughout the summer and those who came back in August for "a very successful school opening"
to put it all in one place to address what it takes to open the schools
posting as we go: report here

Our new mobile food truck!

This morning we unveiled the new Worcester Public Schools mobile food truck at Vernon Hill Park! It went to work on Wednesday of this week. It was donated to us by the Worcester County Food Bank, and funded by the Our Family Foundation of Stop and Shop, 'though the food comes through the USDA.

A lot of our kids in the city are dependent on free breakfast and lunch for healthy eating, and summer can be a hungry time for them. This truck gets breakfast and early dinner out to where kids are.

Any child under 18 can come by the truck when it is there, Monday through Saturday, and be fed, no questions asked.

The food truck is at Vernon Hill Park for breakfast from 10-10:30 am and for dinner from  3-3:30 for dinner. The food truck is at Bennett Field (in Webster Square) from 11-11:30 am for breakfast and 4-4:30 pm for dinner.
The meals (and the truck is equipped to handle 1000 meals at a time) are being prepared in the North High kitchens, and the refrigeration means that we're able to get much more local produce out to our kids!
Currently, only one in seven children eligible for summer food from USDA gets it. That's a lot of hungry kids, so please spread the word!

And if you missed this article from rural Tennessee, demonstrating the importance of these programs, I would urge you to read it. 

Opening of school report

We're leading with a list of people in new positions: from director of career and vocational education, wraparound zone manager, athletic director, staffing coordinator, instructional support personnel, and several department heads.
New principals at Elm Park, Wawecus, Sullivan, Tatnuck Magnet
New assistant principals at South, Tech, Challenge & Reach, Belmont Street, Grafton Street, LakeView, Lincoln Street