Governance and Employee Issues subcommittee report

mesh backpacks allowed in high schools for 2011-12 school year (if approved tonight)
sponsorship and advertisement arrangement for athletic programs:

• making money from renting out Foley Stadium
• sponsorship through naming rights in gyms
• colleges passing on or donating equipment for sports teams
• asking for an update in Feb 2011

Senate Bill 245, which would raise the dropout rate from 16 to 18 (there were other bills that were to be considered, but only this one is still pending; the items were initially filed in November 2009)
encouraging National Board certification for principals and teachers
legislative priorities for next meeting with them (on November 19)
"how best to continue to make the Worcester Public Schools the school of choice"

• a student exit survey for those who have left the system
• welcoming of visitors, cleanliness and safety in schools, communicating to parents (webpage, Connect-Ed, etc)
• using Channel 3
• consider having a WPI IQP on WPS (!)
• timing of open houses for students in grade 5 (not 6)
• a public relations plan

letter of thanks to retirees and bringing them into a meeting for congratulations

O'Connell asks that we draw the line at naming things after people..."people who have earned that by what they have done...what they did for the schools"