In acting on appropriations for educational costs, the city or town appropriating body shall vote on the total amount of the appropriations requested and shall not allocate appropriations among accounts or place any restrictions on such appropriations.Further, in Worcester, we do well to note that by section 5-2 of the City of Worcester Charter:
The city council may, by majority vote, make appropriations for the purposes recommended and may reduce or reject any amount recommended in the annual budget, but except on recommendation of the city manager, shall not increase any amount in or the total of the annual budget, nor add thereto any amount for a purpose not included therein, except as provided in section thirty-three of chapter forty-four of the General Laws.Thus the City Council:
- cannot add more money to the city budget (including the schools)
- cannot transfer money to or from any section of the budget (including schools)
- cannot allocate funds within the school budget
Nonetheless, the City Council spent more than three hours questioning Superintendent Binienda and Mr. Allen on the FY20 budget on Tuesday night (you can find the videos on Facebook here and here), only to hold the item for next week. It is, of course, an election year, but I've also noticed that municipal bodies tend to edge more and more into schools when they can, either because they aren't getting pushback or they aren't seeing the school committee as doing its own oversight.
Note also that this was covered only by Bill Shaner of Worcester Magazine, which is really a problem. This is not a blow-by-blow liveblog, but I felt we needed to say more about this.
First, the hearing didn't open with any opening remarks from the superintendent--unusual--or any framing from anyone as to what was before them. It might have been useful for them to know, for example, that the City Manager is recommended the smallest amount above required spending in several years.
The inflation index of 3.75% provides an increase of $13.3 million. An increase in funding for employee benefits, special education, and English learners incremental rate, as partially funded based on the recommendation of the Foundation Budget Review Commission’s 2015 final report, provides a $6.2 million increase. Overall, there was an increase in the foundation student enrollment of 189 students for a total [increase] of $1.1 million.And it is always useful for the Council to know where the money is coming from:
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| Mostly not the city |
Instead, they started right in.
Councilor Russell of District 3 noted first that several schools in his district were seeing declining supplies lines (the building by building budget starts here). He asked why; he had explained to him the allocation formula (it's done on a per pupil basis, so if the enrollment goes down, the allocation does), but it also is good to note that this per pupil allocation has been flat for...
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| per pupil instructional supply budget FY01 to present; it has been $68 since FY13. |
Councilor Russell then spoke of an email that he had forwarded from a constituent regarding property adjoining Roosevelt School that the constituent thought the city could purchase to clear up traffic issues. The City Manager said he deferred to the Superintendent, 'though acquisition of property is a city function; the school department only just got the email.
Councilor Russell spoke of walking through Worcester East Middle with the City Manager--er, did they tell the school department that they were doing this?--asking if there is funding in the budget for fixing the building, noting that the City Manager told him that painting isn't a capital expense.
It is a good chance to recall how much the Worcester Public Schools are able to fund facilities:
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| The second lines are Operations and Maintenance, in which foundation is $35.9M and the school district actual spending is $20.8M |
Mr. Allen noted the progression of MSBA projects that the Worcester Public Schools have had over the past number of years; Worcester East Middle, having waited for years for a major renovation, can no longer wait and is recommended for new windows alone. The district has hired painters for projects like the one Councilor Russell mentions. The capital budget does include funding for deferred maintenance; I would note that the capital budget has been level funded (and insufficiently so) for a number of years.
Councilor Russell asked if there was new funding; an additional painter is being added this year. And the facilities budget is up (not a lot but up) in the FY20 budget.
Councilor Lukes, addressing her question directly to the superintendent, spoke of the importance of the schools in the economics of the city. She thought, when she was mayor, that the budget was only 10-15 pages (Lukes was mayor from 2007-2009; in 2007, the budget was 55 pages and it wasn't any shorter afterwards). She asked about the October 1 enrollment report to the state and if the City Council could get it, further asking for the staffing and amount spent (which is the building by building budgets, as Councilor Russell mentioned above). She then asked Superintendent Binienda to explain the strategic plan, saying it "sounds like jargon." Superintendent Binienda said welcoming schools and academic excellence, then family engagement, budget, and technology; she said she thought the plan "very well done." She referenced the portion of the budget that speaks of what in the strategic plan is included this year (that section starts here). Lukes asked for cost; Binienda said it was difficult to do that, listing off some recent changes of the state, and saying welcoming schools didn't "really have a cost" as it was professional development and that could be done by staff (which has a cost?). Binienda also said that having this done would require implementation of the Foundation Budget Review Commission recommendations so we could "have the money that should have been ours all these years."
Lukes said that when she joined the School Committee, the school budget was $55M, commenting it has "grown a bit since then" and she isn't sure what we have gotten for that, "in terms of outcome" (Lukes joined the School Committee in 1979; inflation alone would make that $200M, plus there's a reason Worcester sued the state over school funding in the 1980's). She said the meetings she attended were about how we treat our gifted students and attract families to the city. She checked that the Senate had not yet approved their budget, so there is still $3-4M "floating around," and asked what the district would do with it. Superintendent Binienda spoke of the resource meetings with the principals, and said that those are the requests that would go first (note it would not fill all, as the principals requested $11M in resources). Principals requested 40 ESL teachers and not that many are coming. Student needs have changed, there is a need for behaviorial specialists, trauma teams..."those are the services we need now to meet the needs of our students."
Lukes commented that there was an increase of non-instructional costs, and asked about administration. Binienda commented "we are very lean" in comparison to like districts; this comparison of central administration per pupil spending is on page 405:
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| FY18 central administration spending per pupil, from a high of $788 for Boston to a low of $354 in New Bedford. Worcester spent $374. |
The other thing to note about this, however, is the growth (and where) in this staffing chart on page 400:
Lukes asked how Binienda she would describe the change in discipline over her time in the Worcester schools. "Maybe there's a much more elevated focus on discipline then ten years ago, since the state and the federal government has decided to monitor discipline has forced us to look at other ways," she said. When the district suspended someone "ten years ago, you recorded it, but nobody was looking at what race they were, are they male or female...but now, what I think is better now, it makes you look at what the alternatives are besides suspended." The statement that the information was not being looked at by the state is not the case, by the way; that information has been collected and examined for much longer than that. Students have more trauma and require more supports. Lukes "since we are in budget session" asked about the expense incurred now versus ten or more years ago on school discipline; Binienda said it's more now, "we have more students in poverty than we have ever had before" also "we are trying to find alternative routes to discipline." She said there wasn't in-house suspension fifteen years ago (I can't speak for Worcester, but it certainly existed); "you were in a fight, you were out five days," now the district is looking for alternatives. "It's more expensive but it's better because the student is getting to learn more control of their own behavior" so they can be in school. Lukes asked specifically about what positions have had to be added due to the change. Binienda said "we would add more trauma teams...wraparounds..." Lukes interrupted to ask what they do; Binienda spoke of coordinating services to families or in helping kids do community service. Lukes noted she hasn't spoken of the school resource officers and asked how many there are. There are seven; Lukes asked who decided if one was needed, and Binienda said it was a joint decision with the Chief of Police; Lukes asked who paid for it, and Binienda said the city did.
Kinda.
It's an allocation voted by the city council, but it's carried as a school expense, as you can see on page 434, which is the municipal spending calculation; the bottom of sheet looks like this:
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| That $925,563 added to the same $120,000 that the schools have been spending on police for years yields a total of $1,045,563 on police this year |
Lukes then made a motion to hold the budget under privilege, asking for the October 1 enrollment report, and any specific expenses in the strategic plan (as above, that starts on page 68). Binienda said "there are no positions in the strategic plan that required a budget" which is not what the budget itself says.
Toomey asked about the buses and the maintenance; how many buses does the district own? The district runs 35 midsized buses and 11 big buses. She asked for the maintenance budget, which is on page 218, along with the rental costs, asked for the length of the rental, which is five years with the intent to purchase them at the end of the lease; buses have a life of ten years. Toomey asked for a report on the condition of the buses, and Allen noted the replacement cycle the buses are on; Toomey said she wanted to be sure "we're able to maintain the maintenance." Allen directed her to page 170 (in print; online it's 177) which has the age of the buses. Toomey commented that having a bus as old as 14 years was "a shame, as we have children on these vehicles."
Toomey recalled the city paying for 57% of schools, noting that now it is 27%. "The state budget truly is the meat and potatoes of everything...and so much of what we're doing is mandated," asking if it were possible to disaggregate what was mandated. Allen said "it's really difficult in the end" to sort what is required versus high quality teaching and learning and so forth; "you could get argumentative when you get into some of those catagories." Toomey said, "the bottom line is the city is really indebted to the state" and that more people needed to be educated as to where the resources are coming from. She said she was really excited about the "renewal of adult education." "We really need to be on the cutting edge," mentioning specifically cyber security.
Toomey commented that the robotic teams "are a little pet peeve of mine," asking if they were funded. Binienda said that there are several robotic teams in the district, saying "there really hasn't been a school that has requested it that hasn't gotten it." This did not answer her question; the answer is no, the district does not provide funding for robotics, or, indeed, or much of any extracurriculars beyond sports. Binienda said that Project Lead the Way was also very important, in its second year at Jacob Hiatt. Toomey then spoke about a WPI summer camp, wanting to know if that information was shared; her daughters went to summer camp there and then went to college there.
Councilor Rivera said that she could appreciate some of the questions from Councilor Lukes, saying she wanted to piggyback off that. "The response was that we have misbehavior because of poverty...was kind of the response...if we're not addressing the problem correctly, we're basically throwing money out the window." She spoke of "The Lost Children of Rockdale County", a Frontline document on an affluent community in Georgia, and really understanding what it means to be at risk; "The Myth of the Culture of Poverty" by Paul Gorski, addressing issues not only of race but also of class. "If we have these false concepts as we are dealing with discipline, I think in a way we are going to be throwing money out the window," Rivera said, asking "how much is really being dedicated to properly educating the administration and the school staff, so we then could appropriately work on the issue of discipline." Binienda said they'd be preparing a report on that; they're going to work with AVID, which is says is known across the country (for system bias training?), with training going on for secondary educators on October 14, and elementary teachers having to "wait for the following year in October" for that training; the district is in the process of setting up trauma training, but that hasn't yet been set up. Rivera said the community would be interested in seeing the curriculum.
Rivera said there was a need to talk about what works well; she was glad to see work on languages being funded, and asked if that was being grant funded. Binienda, confirming that it was the seal of biliteracy about which she was asking, said that there was some state funding for its introduction. She said that there are 24 students getting the seal this year, 23 in Spanish and 1 in Arabic. The dual language is adding a year this year, bringing it to eighth grade. They're exploring adding a Chapter 74 program in being a translator. A kindergarten class at Woodland Academy is being added in dual language, as well.
Rivera was glad that there was discussion of wraparound coordinators, and said "I think it would be good to look at the schools that are doing things right," comparing them to schools that aren't doing as well "in a multicultural setting." Woodland has translation, interpretation, and gets parents involved and coming. "How do we financially support schools" with what they need to get that involvement? Binienda answered, "I think we do do that," saying that there is a strong collegiality among principals at the elementary level working in sets of three, and that now needs to move to the middle schools. Rivera said, "my experience, as a parent" is that she would disagree; "the elementary schools among my district are very, very different." She suggested having someone from outside look at the schools that are working and engaging in order to better share that.
Rivera noted that the Cultural Diversity Officer and how it will work, that it now is under HR. She also observed that the administration "doesn't reflect the city." Binienda said the administration would like to advertise for the position in the next few weeks; originally, that position would report to HR, but now, at the request of the Mayor, will report directly to her. Some of the responsibilities will be recruiting; "the key to that person would be understanding what fields you have to know to be successful in schools" and to not only recruit but support them. Instructional Assistants now taking courses at Worcester State as part of the state grant for teacher diversity. "The other part of that is looking at curriculum" to ensure it is culturally responsive; no mention of professional development? Rivera cautioned that many in this role don't have the authority they need to make that role work. Rivera also spoke of the request for an advisory committee working alongside the superintendent. Shifting and changing culture is hard. She then asked about the funding for English learners, of the loss of the community partnerships that were funded for Title III. Binienda said that Title III would be used for things in the Worcester Public Schools, for training of applicable staff; "if we have extra funding, we will put it out in an RFP." Rivera urged for strengthening of partnerships with community groups; she then asked about the 14 points put forward by the Mayor and asked how that would effect the budget. Binienda said there weren't any that would, beside the Chief Diversity Officer (this can't be), "because a lot of those things are already in progress." Rivera also spoke of the need for staffing to do community outreach. She also asked for a science lab for Claremont, saying it put kids at a disadvantage as they are applying to college; they also need a library.
Councilor King asked how much additional revenue was coming into the Worcester Public Schools, and the difference with the Senate; Allen said that the FY20 budget as proposed goes up by a little over $19M. The Senate version of the budget funds economically disadvantaged at a higher rate and uses a different charter reimbursement, resulting in about $4M more than that. King asked where in the budget process the state was; the City Manager said the Senate was in deliberations. King asked what the next steps were with regard to lobbying the state (on the budget?). Binienda spoke of the press conference on the potential lawsuit against the state. They also spoke to the Globe editorial board. Now it is a wait and see to see if they fund at a higher rate than in the past; she mentioned the MTA's lobby day. Petty spoke of the mayor's role, but clarified that King's question was on FY20. Binienda said the School Committee sent a letter to approve the Senate version. King asked if there was a legislative liaison? Petty said, "I think it's me and Ms. Binienda." King asked if it was considered in the past; Binienda said not that she knew of. King made a motion to ask that it be considered. City Councilors cannot add staff to the schools. King asked if the City Manager could be helpful on the budget deliberation; he also noted the work of MASC, MASS, and others.
King asked what support staff the Chief Diversity Officer will have; Binienda said none, and that is why the position will be in the HR office. King asked if she's aware of how it is done in other communities (it would be more useful to compare these to other school districts). Binienda said she was not, but there was no funding for them. King wanted to talk about disproportionality, efforts on social-emotional learning, efforts to reduce suspension rates; he said it was important to address in the budget the difficulties these students are having, and noted the importance of school social workers. He listed a number of the challenges students are facing, including the lack of curriculum on sex ed in the Worcester Public Schools. He appreciated the effort to increase adjustment counselors. He asked about increasing clinical supports in order to address disproportionality; he checked the school budgets and saw that many exceeded the ratios advised. Binienda (finally) referenced the section that spells out implementation of the strategic plan. The district also just received a grant to fund a trauma team which can be sent into schools as needed through the school nursing department. If more of the foundation budget were implemented, additional supports could be put into place. Binienda said that they are talking with the city Health Department about trauma training.
King then listed the number of kids and the number of adjustment staff in several schools; he asked for reports on how implementation further is going, and was interested in future disciplinary data, and noted the importance of not having school resource officers.
King asked how much the schools are paying for police officers; Allen said $120,000; he asked how much the city is spending; Zidelis says it's about $920,000, arguing that the $120,000 is then applied to it, making a net city cost of over $800,000; and this is wrong; the $120,000 is added, not subtracted. The total, as above is $1,045,563.
King asked how much $120,000 would have been in 1994; Allen estimated about 2 and 1/2 teachers. King listed off high schools with security guards that also have resource officers, asked how much is spent on security guards, and what role they play. Allen said the district budgets $243,000 for security guards; he said their role is primarily to monitor visitors. King asked how much of that is schools versus the admin building; as the admin building is full year, the schools are about $107,000 of that. King asked for deliniation of security guards versus school resource officer. Binienda said, "the guard just sits there and you sign in and you enter." School resource officers are interactive in the hallway, supervise entrance and dismissal, spend time in the cafeteria. "In cases where there is a severe altercation or fight, the adminstration responds first, and if they feel it is something that they need assistance with, the officer gets involved." King commented that it is odd that there is a security guard at buildings with school resource officers.
King asked about middle school sports programming; Binienda said the stipend is $15,000 for the director position, which she hoped they could expand. King spoke of the wraparound coordinator getting students into community programs and asks Binienda to speak of the success of the program. Binienda said "there are so many students have come out for sports." For the spring, they've done soccer and volleyball; "they really hasn't been any glitches...it has been really the perfect group...and the rewards for students has really been unbelievable." King spoke of the value of sports for students who are disregulated, and he made a motion to consider middle school sports if additional money becomes available. Again, this is outside of City Council purview, and at this point "becomes available" means state education funding! Asked how much the city is spending in after school programs, the City Manager said it was close to $1M.
King supports holding the budget a week to "take a closer look," particularly "at replication of services like security guards," saying "this Council doesn't write blank checks." King asks how many wraparound positions were lost over the past few fiscal years; Binienda says one.
King asks if the Council can cut something at any point during the budget; the Mayor clarifies that the Council can cut, not add, and the School Committee decides where a cut comes from. It isn't clear to me that anyone understood that this was what he was saying.
The Council then recessed to their regular meeting.
Councilor Rosen said that he seems to see that across the country, there is a shortage of teachers; he says "we all think it would be good to recruit...more teachers of color; it's good for all of our students." He said that competition is difficult for us; young people can go anywhere, "'though I believe our effort is still there." He asked what efforts are made. Binienda said "We are still going to job fairs." She says they're investigating two options: teachers from Spain and trying to grow our own; "we do have Worcester Future Teachers...it's been going on for quite a long time." Most are students of color, "and we hope they stay in that track." Students may get attracted to biotech and other industries. Rosen said "they're all having trouble recruiting...I'm glad to hear that we're trying to interest Worcester youth in teaching." He said "people have to realize that the efforts are there...it's not that we haven't tried...there is a lot of competition all across the country."
Two things: Massachusetts is in fact a net exporter of teachers (more people graduate as teachers each year in Massachusetts than our public schools need, 'though of course that varies by area); many, many districts are doing much more than Worcester is. "We tried" is not enough here.
Rosen then said he looked at "the two main curriculum" (there weren't two) and he thought one of them wasn't age appropriate. "Are we waiting for the state now?" he asked, that the state isn't going to come with a curriculum. He noted that higher pregnancy rates lead to higher abortion rates, which might be important to people.
Petty FINALLY reminds Rosen to stick to budget questions, because this is TOTALLY outside of City Council purview!
Rosen said "there's been all sorts of questions asked tonight...I knew it was coming...I think if you look at the tape the past hours, you'll see there were questions all over."
Essentially, his argument is others should have been ruled out of order earlier, which is correct.
Binienda said that Carol Manning sits on the state committee that is working on the health standards; "while the state is never going to say 'use this program,' it is important for us to know what the standards are." The state is now looking at sex education from a social-emotional standpoint "and how the kids make right choices." This is entirely part of what many were speaking of back in the fall. It is expected that the standards would be out for public comment in the fall, to be approved by December. Rosen asked directly if she agreed that the Worcester Public Schools need sex ed; she said Worcester needs a comprehensive health curriculum "with a sex ed component." She said "we're still using our current sex ed compenent...using what has previously been approved by School Committee." Uh, I'm not sure it was. Rosen said, "That evidentially isn't working, because our stats are so high." Binienda argued that was due to health not mandatory in Massachusetts, and "when the deep cuts hit us, I as a high school principal, cut the health teacher for the math teacher...the challenge for us isn't that the curriculum isn't good; the challenge is that we limited the number of health teachers that provided health." Rosen said, "I think both sides agreed that we do need something to help our kids."
Rosen asked about advocating in Boston for funding; "I was able all those years to teach the subject matter without going towards that test." He asked if the district should talk to legislators to advocate for changes "in that whole system...because I think that Gary Rosen was a better teacher twenty-five years ago that he would be now if I went over to Doherty High with my hands tied." Binienda said, "even though it may look like you're teaching to the test, you're really teaching to the standards." Things have really changed, she said, "where we really want to meet the standards." She said that there would be an annoucement in June from Commissioner Riley on a program that schools can join with less emphasis on state testing.
Rosen said we dealt earlier on discipline "and I don't know how much that had to do with the budget." He said that his understanding was that the state had commented on discipline and asked Binienda to clarify what those statements were, asking "did the state seem to think we were suspending too many students compared to other cities and towns?" Binieda said, "Worcester is not on notice for suspension of Latinos." I don't know what this means. Rosen asked that she clarify, asked, "I was just asking about students in general." Binienda said, "You become on notice by the state and you have to do a plan on student discipline. You have to join this rethinking discipline group and you have to write a plan to correct it...so the Worcester Public Schools got identified for two groups: Alaskan Indians, because we have 43 of them and we suspended 10 and that gives you 25%. Then we're on notice for...multirace students attending Worcester East Middle. That is all the state has said to us that they really want to see improvement in those two groups...so we are writing plans for those two groups for the state." Rosen asked if fewer of those students would then be suspended. Binienda said, "yes that is the hope of why you're writing a plan." Rosen asked "if students are deserving of suspension...I tend to have a feeling of what that means...will Worcester school adminstration have the courage to suspend where necessary?" And we are so far out of order here...Binienda said "we have certainly policies and rules and that violation results in suspension, yes;" she added that Worcester has "progressive discipline...now these are for non-violent offenses...you wouldn't go from an incident that's non-violent...if there's physical harm, of course that's going to be an out-house suspension for that student...there has to be a plan for that student." Rosen said "think why might they not want to go into the profession...maybe there's something about the job, maybe there's something about being in the classroom that keeps them from choosing teaching."
I would refer to Senior Associate Commissioner Ventura Rodriguez's comment on this earlier this week: it is "hard to tap current students in K-12 [to become teachers] if they aren't having positive experiences in K-12"
Rosen asked about the Chief Diversity Officer; Binienda said it will be advertised on Schoolspring. Rosen asked what the process of hiring will be, "who makes the final decision?" Binienda said that she has the right to make the final decision.
Rosen asked about security at planned schools; Binienda said "we toured many schools all over New England...as in South High School...this is pretty standard in schools" that can stop someone "from driving a jeep into your schools" and now they discuss bollards and how students can get into class. Rosen asks if she is satisfied with the security measures of "new Doherty High" for which no plans currently exists.
Rosen asked about bussing, says "we're using an obsolete method" to get people around, complaining about WRTA running buses with five people on them, asked if the WRTA can't be used? Allen said the district spends about $135,000 each year on bus passes, some for home to school, mostly for after school. He noted "We send eighteen buses up to South High; there aren't eighteen WRTA buses going up to South High." Rosen: "maybe we should be." Allen noted the tight timeframe in getting students to and from schools. Rosen said that we are running with an obsolete system, and "someday the RTA will have to change its ways."
Councilor Wally said his question has been answered. Lukes (chairing) quipped that he should be talking for at least half an hour.
Councilor Bergman opened by saying that every urban school system has challenges and the good things in the Worcester Public Schools "gets drown out." He said it should be an issue for his colleagues, because if people don't want to send their kids to the Worcester Public Schools, they don't move here, and then housing prices go down, and "it's a whole domino effect." Bergman said, "I think we do a disservice..by not spreading that out...we are missing just a few things...and one of them is getting the word out." He said he thinks there should be a marketing person for the schools. Asked how it could be done. Binienda said that the district has updated the website and "it's a really good website." I still have trouble figuring out where things are...is that just me? She cited the district's twitter feed "if there is a good event happening...so that people see." She spoke of the section of the school committee now speaking at each meeting about good things that are happening, of the Telegram and various radio shows. She said "the skills of a marketing person could certainly help us," but the losses are so great that the education side has to be put in place first, but "that would be a great addition" if the foundation budget funding comes through. Bergman repeatedly said it was not on the superintendent, which I think most superintendents would dispute.
Bergman asks for a list of the colleges that students were admitted to. I will note that the schools don't actually collect admissions. Binienda said where students go is in the budget and is published at least once a year; it is put on the website. She spoke of a meeting she had had earlier today about a scholarship fund she met with. WPI gave ten full scholarships to Worcester Public School students this year.
Bergman said there was a discussion about "an academy for excellence," but those things seem to have stopped. People "are telling me their kids...are missing out on a chance for an excellence academy" and asked if there are any interest. Binienda asked if he meant a separate school. Bergman said it wasn't as important "as someone with a gifted child" having a program. Binienda said Massachusetts is undergoing a study on gifted education; they looked at Goddard Scholars and Hanover Academy and ETA at Doherty and "our plans for Worcester East Middle; we have a whole new administration going in their next year and a turnaround plan and connections with the medical school." Binienda said "saying there will be opportunities in the middle school" then shifting the focus to elementary. Binienda said high schools are being redesigned where all high schools will have seven period days where the first and last two periods won't rotate. Bringing in college professors at the beginning and end of the day, placements for internships and job placements, getting students off-campus, "guest speakers from business and industry." She said "we're recognized as being one the leaders in the state...we're ahead of the game on [early college]." Do note that the early college grants were intended for students traditionally underrepresented in colleges; it isn't clear that this is something that is happening in Worcester. Bergman repeated that it would be good to hear all these things.
Lukes commented that in 1980 it was a problem to recruit teachers; four new school committee members were elected that year due to the controversy over recruitment. She said "we're getting $2 plus million dollars from the city next year..." plus the funding in the Senate. Allen said that the city's funding is not changed by that; Zidelis said that changes are exclusively state side. Lukes said she'd like the "guessimates" for the coming school year. Allen asked if she means "an enrollment projection."
Councilor Mero-Carlson asked "for clarification," if everyone in the school is trained on "handle with care." Binienda said the school safety officer is the coordinator and will be training the staff; principals at this time are getting one-on-one training on what it means.
Mero-Carlson asked if any recruitment is done in the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico; Binienda said "I've only been doing this for three years; they've certainly been going to Puerto Rico. Some did say that they didn't like the weather here and moved back." One could contrast that with what was said of Holyoke at the Board of Ed earlier this week. Binienda cited research (I think?) that most people don't want to move more than 40 miles from their home location. "Our recruitment has mostly been at job fairs, area colleges, and we're exploring the program with Spain." Mero-Carlson asked what was done when we went to Puerto Rico and recruited; "is there something we could do today?"
Mero-Carlson asked who the committee is that reviews applicants of someone like the Chief Diversity Officer; Binienda said the Director of HR puts the committee together with principals, teachers, parents.
Mero-Carlson says the city has been given $100,000 for Recreation Worcester; I think she means that there is $100,000 budgeted in it. She asked if they could have it back to expand the program, which makes no sense, as the funding is in the school budget for hosting the program. Mero-Carlson spoke of the places where there is not Recreation Worcester; Lukes clarified that she is making a motion for the superintendent to lower the budget. Allen noted that the funding is for site administrators; Mero-Carlson asked why the schools can't just fund the program "out of your budget." The City Manager said that the budget "has gone up considerably" and could the schools absorb the costs so the program could be expanded by the city. This is of course based on the misinformation that the city budget has gone up considerably beyond what is required; it has not. Allen noted that the funding needs to be appropriated in this line, regardless, and said he would want to have a conversation with the City CFO offline about net school spending. Again, here is the amount over the minimum contribution we're discussing:
Councilor King said he "took umbrange at the comment that it would take courage of the school to discipline students...it is the responsibility of the schools...to infer that it would require courage to do your job...takes on a whole different light regarding disproportionality." He said regarding the lack of diversity in teaching staff is an issue across the country. "To..ignore the structural elements that have brought us to a place where the staffing is what it is is irresponsible as well." He asked if there is funding allocated for new health curriculum; Binienda said that there is not at this time. He asked if there was any cost for that curriculum. Binienda said it might take additional funding in professional development; he asked if there is a cost outside of creating one. Lukes noted it would take another year; Binienda said "we develop our own curriculum often" but it would depend on if there were curriculum out there, it would be that cost. King made a motion for cost on curriculum.
Rivera said she wanted to clear up something, and was concerned to hear about possible recruitment from Spain; "Spain is really white European...most Latinos locally are Carribean and Central and South American." She said, "in recruitment, that would not help with diversity." She said, "Spanish is very different."
Lukes closed by saying "we've been grilling the school department for three hours; they'll have to come back."
It is, however, unclear how that will work, as the superintendent and the mayor are scheduled for graduation at 6 pm on Tuesday next week.
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