The second Worcester School Committee meeting of the term

 ...and if I let these get too far away from me, we'll never catch up!

The agenda is here; the video is here.

Please note the important takeaways from the FY25 budget presentation here. I managed to catch just the second half of WEC's FY25 forum this past week, in which Mr. Allen replicated his presentation, and I was concerned that the questions didn't seem to be those stemming from a $22M budget gap. Let's start to get ourselves into that mode, folks. 

And as a reminder, here's the advocacy at the state level: 

Going back to the rest of the meeting on February 1, important reminder that filed votes for reconsideration appear FIRST on the agenda--literally right after the roll call--and are taken up WITHOUT discussion. Thus, if you wish to advocate on them, it's best to call or send an email ahead; the vote will be taken before public comment.

The vote for reconsideration of allowing students to walk at graduation who lack 2 or fewer credits filed by Member Binienda was defeated, 6-3, (Biancheria, Binienda, Roy voting in favor) a vote which required 6 votes to pass.

The public comment period not only not only included strong voices opposing the arguments posted by reconsideration, but also framed several of what I'd call fearmongering items filed. There was a call that any data on safety centers or disciplinary hearings be places in the context of ten years:

"ten years ago, Worcester was in a vastly different place with respect to school discipline and the related issue of school safety." This connected it articulately to the strategic plan, and noted clearly that questioning that work that has worked elsewhere is to undermine that work done by the schools and the community.

As for questioning the reconsideration, my summary wouldn't do it justice: do watch:

Former member Jermoh Kamara spoke to her item advocating for a STEM (though I guess the item technically asks for a "STAEM" school, given the ordering) academy at Worcester East Middle School (which it had had as an innovation school; it was discontinued); that has been sent to Teaching, Learning, and Student Supports.

Then the budget presentation, which you should ground yourself in. "We do recognize that there are some challenges" is Dr. Monárrez's intro here, and you should believe that. Also, remember that the WPS budget is based on the Governor's budget, regardless of later action by the House and Senate.

The finance items passed without comment or question.

The administration wrote a super letter opposing the chronic absenteeism weigh increase in the state accountability system (which didn't pass). 

Member Roy's item:

Request administration to provide a status report on the “Turn It Around Drug Program” including the number of students referred to the program from 2022 / 2023 and the number of students referred from 8/23 to January 2024. This report needs to include the specifics as to why the students were referred.

(can someone help members edit?), she said she filed out of concern "for the teen vaping issue," and that she wanted to know more about the program, which she just learned about.  
Member McCullough both flagged the issue with this of student confidentiality and asked that data go back five years.
Member Mailman requested context, noting upcoming reports on climate and culture which it could be included in. In response to questions, Dr. Monárrez noted that the district does not have 10 years of data, as the program has not existed that long. She did relate the following, which is the information requested: 

• in the 2022-23 year, 132 students referred; 62 vaping with nicotine; 68 vaping with marijuana; 1 with alcohol; one "other"
• in the 2023-current, "a dramatic decrease" with 29 students referred; 16 for vaping with nicotine; 13 with marijuana; none others

She noted that parents must give consent; they miss two days of school to attend. 
Dr. Monárrez said that the climate and culture report will be much more about being proactive so that students need not even need such programs. She said that climate and culture teams at the schools are really working on prevention and early intervention. She said that this work is changing the way students are behaving at school.
McCullough said that this is an issue many places, and appreciated that this was demonstrating results.
Roy asked about the change from five days to two days and asked if it was enough.
Monárrez said that the shift was due to concerns over loss of learning time.
On a roll call, the item was filed. 

Member Biancheria filed a similar item on safety center: 

Request the administration provide an update on the Safety Centers for elementary and secondary including the criteria for entry, number of students referred last year to this year.

...saying that it was "important that we encompass safety in the majority of the items we talk about."
McCullough, noting the benefits of the safety centers, asked that data go back five years, and asked if information about moving the elementary center to Elm Park could be included. 
The item was sent to administration.

Roy filed an item about traffic at Quinsigamond Elementary because she received a call from a business owner across the street. She said she wanted "a feasibility study" of the area.
For those not familiar, Quinsig sits here:

...and yes, that's both an active rail line, and an exit from 146. 

McCullough said that "this comes up with the majority of schools in the district," and asked if we have something for all of our schools in the district. Dr. Monárrez said that the safety review done by Guideposts did include review of pickup and dropoff, recommending that it go to Finance, Operations, and Governance. 
It was sent to what Vice Chair Johnson said he isn't calling "FOG."

Member Binienda, not adhering to "as it reads" means you make no further comment, filed an item requesting an update on the EMT program at North High, speaking at length about the funding of the chapter 74 program at North, recruitment of students and raising a fear that the program would close. In the ensuing discussion, it emerged that North has a temporary staffing issue, which administration is dealing with (not through firefighters, as suggested by Member Binienda, as Worcester firefighters would lack necessary certification). The EMT exam cannot be taken until they turn 18; students can take the necessary coursework at Quinsigamond Community College that is not available at the schools.
Member Mailman asked for clarification as to the program; completely out of order, Member Binienda responded directly.
Administration will forward a response.
The item was filed. 

Member Binienda filed an item: 

To request a report on the number of hearings for discipline policy violations and number of students placed in alternative settings (Woodward Day/ alternative programs/school).

Member Mailman rose to note that the item is about the alternative program report on March 7. She noted that it was important that on any such report to have a span of time "that goes through multiple administrations."
She also read from a report (?) sent to the Committee (not by the district) which noted that Worcester was now much more in line with other cities. Community members "want to make sure that we're making these changes in our district."
Dr. Monárrez agreed with the recommendation that it come back as part of the larger report.
The item was filed.

The Committee then voted in favor of dedicating the Durkin Administration Building to Dr. Helen Friel on February 16.

And the meeting adjourned. The Committee next meets on February 15.