...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:
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
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:
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.
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