Worcester School Committee meets Thursday

Yes, I'm sorry, I missed the first one of the year...too much to keep track of this January! 

I'm flagging this one in particular because it's FIRST LOOK AT THE FY19 BUDGET!
That's the report of the superintendent this week. The quick glance I gave Worcester's numbers earlier this week had the foundation budget up by $3.7M; to that, add some from the $15M intended as a grant for the students evacuated from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands...I'm guessing another $2.4M or so?
That won't, of course, be enough, as it doesn't even cover real inflationary costs.

There are some appointments and congratulations.

The administration is reporting on the $5000 received under McKinney-Vento for homeless students, rather, reporting that it did receive it. I wonder what it will be used for?

There's also a report on the process of making referrals to DCF.

There are two donations:
$250 from Walmart to Woodland Academy
$286.80 from Box Tops for Education to Tatnuck Magnet School
...as well as a $20,000 grant from UNUM for the "Strong Schools" grant to purchase books and curriculum...that report is very vague....

Miss McCullough is asking for a report on indoor recess policy.

And BOTH Miss McCullough and Mr. Foley are asking what the difference between an excused and an unexcused absence is (I have no idea). Miss McCullough also calls out the scary letter they send if your child gets a certain number of absences (I've gotten it; it's frightening).

The annual audit is coming (it's not here; it'll be referred to F&O).
And the annual handbook review is coming (it'll be referred to Governance).

The administration is looking to amend the innovation plan of Worcester East Middle to drop the sixth grade to have a new "Citywide Health and Science Gifted Academy" starting next year.

At the request of Miss Biancheria, the administration is reporting out on the use of the returned health insurance funds; the recommendation looks like this:

There is approval of the allocation farther down the agenda.

Miss Biancheria is asking if students could do community service at the senior center.

Mayor Petty, following up on his inaugural address, is asking for a review and update on the health curriculum. It's worth noting that the state is about to start a comprehensive review of the state standards for health.

The administration is referring two sets of curriculum to the school committee for approval: grade 8 and AP science texts and elementary reading curriculum.

There is an executive session to discuss contracts for the IAs and Plumbers and Pipefitters, and also to discuss litigation.


My hope is to be there for the budget presentation.