Late December updates on the Worcester Public Schools

 ...largely drawn from the Worcester School Committee's weekly update from Dr. Monárrez...

First, did you see Dr. Monárrez's holiday update?

Also, congratulations to Dr. Monárrez on being one of Worcester Magazine's "20 Women to Watch" for 2023! January 1 will of course be sixth months of her being in the position.

On a much less happy note, the Mass School Building Authority has again not accepted Burncoat High School into their core program for a major renovation or rebuild. Earlier this month, the district was notified by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges that the school will remain on warning status with regard to Learning Resources (which is the building), with NEASC requesting a progress report on that by October 2023. Given the discussion at MSBA's Board meeting on Wednesday's meeting, and the Board's vote to raise the reimbursement rate for buildings from October acceptance forward, the state's capped resources for school building are being strained beyond what currently is provided for. While I've no doubt we'll apply again by the April 2023 deadline, this is going to take more than reapplications. Stay tuned.

On a brighter facilities note, all the ESSER contracts for facilities work are now in place; expect that update on the January 23 Finance and Operation meeting agenda.
(That's not only HVAC and repairs; it's bottle filling stations!)

A few admin notes:
As was announced at our later November meeting, Annie Azarloza is the new Chief Academic Support Officer; this is the position that was created to oversee (as it says) all the academic supports (special education, nursing, athletics, all of the social emotional supports, and the alternative programs), while Marie Morse oversees all academics.
As she's been evaluating, the district has found some urgent attention needed for our homeless students, so Maura Morrison, who has been the Manager of Social Emotional Learning, is going to be working directly on that. 
Also, Jennifer Boulais, who was the Human Resources Director, has stepped down from that position, and Yeu Kue, who most recently was the principal at Quinsigamond Elementary, is in the position as Acting Director. 
I'm adding a link to the WPS org chart to "Helpful Links" on the left margin for anyone like me wanting to be sure they're clear on where the lines are.

And finally, congratulations to our Adult Learning Center for being awarded $731,719 for their programming! One of my favorite places in the district!