Hearing on the proposed charter school

Hey, so before I start this not-at-all liveblog of the charter school hearing, which will absolutely not cover everything, and which is mostly drawing from my Twitter feed (scroll UP), but also other sources, please note:

YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT TESTIMONY THROUGH JANUARY 4!
It goes to charterschools@mass.doe.edu

And as always, the following is my summary, my work, my commentary, and does not claim to be otherwise. 

As MassLive notes in their coverage: "Of the 13 people that spoke in favor of the charter school, 11 were board members, trustees, teachers or staff at Old Sturbridge Academy or Old Sturbridge Village."

What happened at last night's Worcester School Committee meeting: May 19, 2022 edition

 What happened at last night's Worcester School Committee meeting (agenda; video)? Here are the highlights:

First, the headline news: 

We have a contract! 

This is the final page of the contract of the 

Worcester School Committee with Dr. Rachel Monárrez;
signed by us Thursday night, in the mail to California Friday morning.

We have a contract with Dr. Rachel Monárrez for three years starting July 1. Signed, voted, voted down reconsideration. 

We also voted a three year contract renewal with Kay Seale, who is our director of special education. 

We're in contract negotiations, so I don't want to say too much, but we did have some of our WPS bus drivers speak to us. 

...which gives me a good excuse to share this photo! 
Yesterday, I got to ride a morning set of bus routes on S-29,
with driver Tina Mansfield (left) and monitor Justa Fernandez 
as part of the EAW's Walk a Day in Our Shoes initiative.

We also had--and, honestly, I can't tell you how proud I am of this--a strong showing of school psychologists and school adjustment counselors, who spoke on their petition regarding student mental health, in response to the report of the superintendent at the last meeting of the School Committee (also covered behind the paywall here). It takes courage to show up at a meeting and say, "No, it's really this way," when the dominant narrative has been otherwise. As covered in the WGBH piece linked above, our staff strongly argued, and gave data supporting, the need for additional resources and connections in our schools. Staff also used the public comment portion of our meeting--which is new this year!!--to make additional remarks on this issue.
Also Mayor Petty had an item on this agenda to set up a meeting between our mental health staff and the Mayor's Task Force on Mental Health. 

In reporting out on two subcommittees, I do want to note that there are ongoing discussions in TLSS on elementary libraries, and Governance is continuing to chug through our student handbook, as well as do some preliminary work on our revision of our strategic plan.

The COVID update was not good. The latest meeting of the medical advisors, as transmission remains high and the local hospitals are becoming concerned, yielded a "strong recommendation" that those in schools (and elsewhere inside) wear masks. The district's student vaccination rate is 35.5% double vaxxed, with another 6.74% with the third shot. That's lousy. 
This week's positives: 252 students, 84 staff.

We got a report back on principal succession planning, which didn't include which principals are leaving and being replaced--we aren't being given this information at all--but did have a bit of an outline on school-level involvement, described as follows: 

Candidates are screened by Human Resources for the appropriate DESE license. Licensed candidates are reviewed by an administrative team which selects candidates for the school-based committees to meet. The Site Council and the principal at each school identifies family and/or community members for the interview panel. Each committee consists of representatives from schools, central office administrators, the Chief Diversity Officer, members of the Superintendent's Advisory Committee, and school leaders. The committee meets the candidates, reviews resumes, asks questions and discusses the candidates responses. The Superintendent receives the interview committee's recommendations, meets with the candidates and makes the hiring decision.

After asking, we're going to receive a list of which principals are being hired.

We also filed some new items, to wit: 

• a request for a report on CORI reports on student volunteers. My colleague Sue Mailman put this one on, and, as CORIs effectively bar some parents and family members from volunteering, asking the grounds is super important.
• a request for a report on teacher shortages and substitute coverage this year (also Mailman)
• a request for a report on specialized programs by quadrant and student access to those (these from Jermoh Kamala)
• a request from me that we get a report prior to the end of the fiscal year next month on district adherence to MGL Ch. 32, sec. 90 and 91, as operational under the waiver passed during the FY22 budget process. This is hiring former employees who are now retired; there are caps on hours and pay. 
• a request from me that we look at our sexual harassment policy and its alignment with federal requirements (which are in a weird state of flux, as the rules from the Trump administration largely remain in force, but the Biden administration has said they're revising, plus Attorney General Healey has reminded us that Massachusetts has a higher standard). This one stemmed from some considerable concerns that have arisen among students on how the district handles sexual assault and harassment cases, in some cases. At the meeting, Superintendent Binienda passed out to us paper copies of a proposed revised policy in light of some of the issues that have been raised locally (which I'll share on here once we have it electronically). That goes to Governance for revision.
• A request from me that the Superintendent and her staff and the other employees of the district follow policy GBEBC and the state ethics law in refraining from using district resources, including district emails, from private fundraising, however good the cause. Enough said.
• And I'm really proud that my colleagues unanimously passed a proposed resolution for the MASC Delegate Assembly in November. If five committees across the state pass the same resolution by June 1, it automatically goes to the Delegate Assembly for consideration as part of MASC's state priorities. The resolution asks that the Legislature pass sanctuary laws like those proposed in other states for those who are trans and their relatives. It reads as follows:
  

  WHEREAS The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a long history of standing for civil rights, including advocacy for a bill of rights in the U.S. Constitution, and
   WHEREAS Massachusetts codified gender identity as a protected class in the 2011 Act Relative to Gender Identity, and
   WHEREAS All children deserve a safe environment in which to grow up, and
   WHEREAS Some state governments are now criminalizing supportive medical care for trans individuals; moving to bar families from traveling to access such care; and otherwise violating the civil rights of trans children and their families, and
   WHEREAS The defense of the civil rights of the historically marginalized is contained within the first article of the Massachusetts Constitution right of “seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness,”
   THEREFORE the Massachusetts Association of School Committees call on the Great and General Court to join with other states in the passage of so-called “sanctuary” laws to ensure such children and their families have “the power of enjoying, in safety and tranquility, their natural rights and the blessings of life,” as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth.

Worcester Public Schools administration joint statement with the EAW

This was sent out last night to all WPS staff; note that this is a joint statement, which is the forerunner of the actual joint agreement, which will be voted by the EAW membership and the Worcester School Committee. (The union has 10 days to ratify, then it comes to the Committee.)

April 4, 2020

Dear Colleagues: 

We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as the district and the EAW have worked to create a reflective and responsible way to deal with the ongoing Pandemic. We have been forced to take a break from our normal lives and this pause gives us a time to connect, reconnect and reach out in new ways to families and friends. This includes our students and their families as we are all under the umbrella of the Worcester Public Schools. We are grateful to those in our community who have demonstrated their unwavering support and compassion for our WPS community as we navigate our way forward. 

We recognize that these unprecedented times around the Coronavirus Disease/COVID-19 pandemic are unsettling to all in our school community. We also recognize that there exist many questions around next steps for students and staff. The Governor’s Extended Mandatory Closure resulting from his Order, dated March 25, 2020, extended his Initial Mandatory Closure and presently precludes the reopening of schools before Monday, May 4, 2020. At this point it is difficult to determine whether the Extended Mandatory Closure will be further extended. 

Since the closing of school, the District Administrative Team and the Educational Association of Worcester have engaged in many hours of negotiations with regard to changes to terms and conditions of employment for the EAW’s various employee bargaining units, including teachers and assistant principals; bus drivers and bus monitors; and those in positions collectively regarded as educational support personnel, such as instructional assistants; parent liaisons; therapy assistants; and tutors. These negotiations occurred over the span of multiple days, and occurred both after the Governor’s Extended Mandatory Closure order on March 25, 2020 and prior thereto. These formal negotiations were in addition to the many informal conversations between the District Administration and the EAW President since the closing of school on March 13, 2020. 

Through these efforts, the District and the EAW have arrived at Memoranda of Agreements for the various employee groups in an effort to memorialize the changes in the terms and conditions of employment for these employees as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the need to modify the manner in which we educate all of our District’s students. These changes will also help to ensure that all of the Worcester Public Schools families receive outreach and support from the Worcester Public Schools during these very difficult times.Based on the discussions this week, we have reached a number of fundamental agreements and understandings around what the expectations are for educators and administration during the period of the Governor’s Extended Mandatory Closure. 

The collective work of the educators and the administrative team has already produced many examples of alternative learning opportunities for students. These have been the result of creative thinking by all involved and have helped to keep our students engaged and poised to return to school when that is possible. In accordance with guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we will now turn our attention to providing remote learning to all of our students through various means of communication. 

At a time such as this, we consider that among our most important roles is to maintain regular contact with our students and their parents or guardians. These times are extremely stressful to the students and their families. Educators have already taken it upon themselves to reach out to their students. Your school leader will be coordinating a system to ensure at least one adult in your school connects with every student. For our students, we are an integral part of their support network and we provide, as a District, many social and emotional supports over and above what we provide by way of educational services. Again, this commitment of our educators and Administrative Teams to ensuring the well-being of our students is both admirable and appreciated. The provision of remote learning opportunities for students will be another means by which family and student contact will be provided. 

We also share the belief that in order to provide for the meaningful remote learning opportunities for all of our students, we must have opportunities for collaboration among educators and administrators. These opportunities will be part of the regular activities expected of educators at this time. Building principals will collaborate with staff in their buildings to make this time as productive and meaningful as possible.We also see this time as one which presents the opportunity for more professional development, although virtually of course, for our educators. These opportunities will be available through the recently launched Worcester Public Schools Enhanced Learning Website for its employees and other scheduled professional development events. 

Included in these three fundamental areas of concentration, educators will be expected to continue to meet their other customary professional obligations. Educators will continue to work on report cards for the third quarter, with that work ultimately needing to be completed by April 13, 2020 at noon. Educators will also continue to work on the completion of special education progress reports which must be completed by April 13, 2020. Guidance Counselors will continue to work on individual student schedules as we look towards a promising 2020/2021 school year. Turnaround work will continue; early college work will continue; and AP work will continue. Educators will not be expected to be present in their buildings, but will be expected to check their District e-mail at least twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, as this will continue to be the most commonly utilized communication tool with staff. 

With regard to wages, the District has committed to provide compensation and benefits to its educators and other employees during the period of the current Governor’s Extended Mandatory Closure. We hope that knowing this will assuage any fears you may have about compensation. We recognize that clear and consistent communication is essential at this time. All district directives will come from the superintendent or her designees, including principals, but shall be consistent with the agreements reached through negotiations or the already existing terms of the Parties’ collective bargaining agreements. Every effort is being made to ensure that principals, assistant principals, coaches and department heads are sending the same clear, consistent message subject of course to unique needs and circumstances at different schools and grade levels. 

The Memoranda of Agreements reached will be presented to the School Committee and the EAW for ratification votes. However, in light of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s expectation that the remote learning will be ready in early April, the Parties have agreed to implement the new terms and conditions of employment as a show of good faith pending the ratification votes. 

With our collective gratitude, 

Maureen Binienda, Superintendent of Schools and Roger Nugent, President, EAW

Meanwhile back at the Worcester School Committee agenda

...things just keep getting weirder (first item)...

Following Worcester politics and endorsements?

I've put a post on it over here.

North High update

Superintendent Boone: tonight's update is to report on the common themes that have been seen through meetings with teachers, parents, and students
met with 100 students, then with entire junior class: discuss issuess North is taing, and the safety plan as it is unfolding
very clear set of themes across group of parents, teachers, students
"North is a great school and there are a lot of great things that are going on at North."
"of particular note...has been common agreement that there are students who have chosen to be disruptive"
"that is a clear challenge at the school"
"learning of what is making a difference at the school" with hall monitoring, lead teacher
fewer students out of class, bathrooms open on every floor (positive for students)
issues of consistency as it relates to application of Student Code of Conduct
"the actions associated with those is resulting in greater cooperation of students"
transitions, managing transitions better
faculty increased presense at classroom doors during passing time
police liaison presense at school being evaluated on an ongoing basis: police are there in a liaison role, "not as an occupying force"
meeting with families of students who have received a significant number of referrals to discuss impact of student on school
"the right to a public education, but the right not to interrupt everyone else's education in the process"
98% of students are in a place to learn, and that's the right place to be
small number of students who have become the disruption
what do students want to see happen at their school? Not having the 2% of the students being disruptive getting 100% of the media attention
safety and improvement team lead by lead teacher
climate and culture committee
both made by students, parents, and teachers to talk about community and culture
"greatest place for change for North High School takes place wtihin the halls of North High School"

Lisa Dyer, principal: North High School is a great school with an extremely hard-worker staff and wonderful students
work very hard to educate every student
many students are self-motivated, others need extra help: welcome both
"hope to set record straight"
"victim of four bomb threats this year" why people think we are the perpetrators, also, is beyond me
have fights, more than we'd like, sometimes staff get hurt in breaking up
none of conflicts are random
appropriate discipline as under state and federal law
"kid have come a long way"
love kids and want the best for them
appreciate concern students and teachers
role model respectful behavior
mentor a North High student
attend school council meetings second Wednesday at 6 pm
make informed judgment rather than judging secondhand
"come to North High to see why I have always felt safe at work"

Lead Teacher for Safety
"along with my colleagues, establishing and maintaining a school environment" where students can learn
physical environment, schoolwide protocols
crtical areas for safety in the building: hallways and lunchtime
adjustment to protocols for students and staff: assigned duties to gaps that existed
a lot more work to do, but thus far (might seem minor, but these are big things in terms of how the school flows):

• open hallways, traffic out of halls during classways: bathrooms open on all four floors (bathroom monitor also monitors hallway)
• bathroom passes are colored by floor, thus students can't wander unchecked
• bathroom swipe machine: eliminates lingering 
• hall monitors have walkie-talkies
• nurse seeing fewer visitors, as well
• more faculty on hall duty in the building; rearranging duties (plus additional IAs)
• three monitors during lunch period: students in lunch or alternative solution
• three monitors during first and last period
• students not allowed passes out first and last ten minutes of class
• protocols to see support staff 
• safer lunch: evaluated classes that were coming into lunch; lunches redistributed based on size
• additional support staff for duties: spread across cafeteria
• cell phones, hats, outerwear...students held accountable for policies; reenforced each day
• protocol and consequences for misbehavior
• reprinting IDs for students who have lost or creating for students who don't have
• phone list in every classroom for support staff
• class cuts and tardies: teachers felt strongly about; protocols pending discussion with administration
• climate and culture: students have taken charge on commitment to kindness: students and faculty valued 
• boys and girls groups still running
• academic interventions, especially for seniors

"creating a sustainable system...social-emotional growth...deserve time to thrive...appreciate support received thus far"
Boone: "if you listen to what has happened with our students on a daily basis; faculty seeing change"
not using issues to divide
incoming eighth grade parents coming to dinner on Wednesday

Priscilla, student at North High: it's not fair to a lot of students and many adults
police in building: more of a chance that students will be arrested if something happens
North is a very good school
every morning, start with quotes of kindness
groups on Wednesdays for students who struggle with anger
downsize classes
"North deserves to be appreciated instead of trashed"

Chris Robarge, ACLU
getting reports from folks we just heard from was informative and helpful
a snowball effect on how the school function
comment quickly on cameras: awaiting legal review, do not support streaming to police station
understand and appreciate comments of superintendent on police
what we do know from school-based arrests: if there are more police in the schools, there are more arrests in the schools, tend to be for public order offenses, would like to know if there have been arrests since increase in police, and what those arrests are for
informative to have
chapter 222: very important piece of state legislation, would urge caution before suggesting or proposing changes to chapter 222
don't seem problems as result of chapter 222

David Jerry: thank faculty and staff
concerned about type of officer placed in the school: gang force officer not the right person to have
don't have question if there is a gun in the school; we now know that there is
student shouldn't start his life off with a charge
happy that my son is safe, reconsider the type of officer is in there

Junior at North: never felt unsafe at North in the first place
"I knew that nothing was going to happen, that nothing was going to happen to me"
linking of cameras to police: we are innocent until proven guilty
assume hallways do not need to be monitored by criminal justice system
violation of 4th amendment: no probable cause
schools must have probably cause before searching students (citing Supreme Court decision)
will impede the learning environment at North High

Rev. Davenport: give you encouragement, parent of two graduates of South High
can successful as a city when we come together as a collective body
parents came together to work with administration of school
second minority police lieutenant is his son
stop looking and pointing fingers at one another
so many successful people who could come out of North High
work as a team

Len Zalauskas, EAW president
"there could definitely be lawyers at North High"
superintendent needs to reach out to the teachers more
different groups have met, need to be all on the same page
"many, many smart people"
"we have the best urban system in America...in the state of Massachusetts, we are, no doubt about it, number one"
"we can fix (issues), we can get there"
"again, it goes back to the budget...we have issues at that school because we don't have resources"

Rev. Talley: believe Worcester has some great people
with this thing at North High, have seen worst of some
have to learn to cooperate
have seen a lot of name calling, have seen a lot of blaming
demographics have changed, "and everything's on the up"
"there is a sense of accomplishment that has been achieved"
I want to be the voice of the one...cites letter to the editor in WoMag
"a few kids here give us an undesired reputation"
"fear is blinding the public and some teachers"
"we don't need to continue the stigma...they're all our kids"
we as adults should not be name calling
"they're not saying, but they're watching how we handle things 'as adults'"
"you don't have to like someone to work them"

Gordon Davis: my kids went to North, coached soccer at North
there was a prejudice against these kids
weren't allowed to build a new North; tried to combine North and Voke, and Voke parents said no
"I got into fights, and I went to Catholic schools. I was never suspended..they're making our kids into something they're not"
"this school system is supposed to educate them, not put them in jail"
came the budget hearing, schools being underfunded because the kids are here
Take a look at the budget in any community around Worcester; better funded than Worcester
"our job is educate all the children, even the ones we don't like"

Bruce O'Connell, assistant principal: I look forward to going to work at North High School
tremendous kids
"not celebrated in the media, not enough"
"we could use that as a celebration moving forward"
Ellie Lupafya: 1996 graduate of North High, now assistant principal
Completely opposed to having police in the building, have now seen the other side
went to Belmont Street, Worcester East,
"we will survive any storm and come back even stronger"

Mayor Petty:
work together, buy in by teachers, parents
students should be very proud of North High
move on positively
climate report: confirm everything's on the right track
always had police liaison in school: community policing model
police chose because of the type of police officers they are
building relationships with those students
legal review about using cameras: emergency access to police
about graduations, where kids are going to school, made the playoffs
"adults should act like adults, let the children be"
information to delegation about discipline regs

O'Connell: struck me as I heard detail after detail
how much common sense underlies what you're doing
focused on key issue; maintaining a school culture
have teachers who care passionately about their schools
students who care deeply about their school
can watch students assembling to go to North at 6:30 in the morning
"they're entrusted to us"
"do we give the resources they need to success academically"
"ultimately the School Committee needs to address that in June"
comend focus on communication: need to be heard and to be part of the discussion
people of all denomination get together
step in the right direction
close communication and listening

Foley: glad we're talking about North again
time to talk about college acceptances
"don't have to worry about civics in the schools" 4th amendment comments
positive change is going to come from within
parents, teachers, students
short-term steps...longer term culture change

Monfredo: thank for coming
another report in May

Novick: pleased to hear directly from principal and assistant principals; many words put in their mouths, good to hear from them
impressed that students showing up given treatment by community; not sure I'd trust adults at this point, after name calling of community
kicking the story: point at which story feeds on itself
unless stories are going to be about college graduates, etc, reports only on all secondary schools

Bianchera: road to recovery, success stated this evening
support for principal there and continue to be there
class of 74
parents meeting? Dyer: school council meeting
making a specific recommendation about who should be at which meeting 
expert on cameras at meeting
thank WPD

Mayor's task force on youth violence
cameras

Ramirez: thank community for being here, for coming out
thorough report

Biancheria: asking for reports at School Committee
Novick: in Friday letters, enough of superintendent's reports on this
Biancheria: waited months to support North, don't want to see it swept under the rug
Boone: have to address "waiting months" comment
happened at next meeting after bomb threat
asked for support after incident four years ago:
Monfredo: asked for an update for May
Bianchera; not personal, looked for what happened at what happened was in place
should keep at forefront
can go back and forth

Petty: kids of North High are tired of being on the front page
after a series of motions, we'll be getting Friday letter updates on North, but it is not forecasted to appear on the agenda

EAW on fingerprinting

Len Zalauskas: asking you to put this in the budget, for all people who work for the WPS
"mirrors part of legislation of" MTA
opposed to being fingerprinted: "it's unsavory, at best"
"state found it in its wisdom to tie it to your licensure"
one time cost: $55 for licensed, $35 for those without
"that's real money for them, that's not a drop in the bucket"
"I understand the budget fairly well"
lack of investment in technology...state of Massachusetts has dropped the ball
idea to look at second look of enrollment figures
"not something we're doing in Massachusetts; we can learn from other states"
"in some fashions, it's ridiculous"
"request that the School Committee put in the budget" the cost of fingerprinting
referred to budget
O'Connell: ask that the state pay for costs, as mandated under Prop 2 1/2

Update on North High

updating as we go (Friday note: the full meeting is now posted online)
Boone: framework and beginning of an action plan

Public testimony on proposed academy

Len Zalauskas, EAW: largest local of the NEA in New England
"I haven't made up my mind, and I'm not speaking in that regard."
When the meeting was held at Doherty with the staff? "I find that troubling."
"then the money piece...I don't know if it's me that's naive"
"to think that the City Council, which has had no interest in funding the schools for years"
"to think that all of a sudden that the money is going to come falling out of the sky"
"it might be the greatest thing in the world, but we need to have more funding"
"if we can get a firm commitment from the City Council that they're going to do something"
"let's get back to reality here; either we're going to get back and do something for the schools"
"to think that Jesus is going to come tomorrow and bring the money, well, good luck my friends"

Donna Colorio: "opposition to" plan
not opposed to an exam school, opposed to IB
IB will increase college costs for seniors compared to AP in college
wow, making some big assumptions on acceptances there
"No emerical evidence that it will improve achievement"
check our footnotes
inquire based program....
concerned about expense
"many schools drop IB...costs, less flexible, lack of participation"
disputes handled "under Swiss law" not actually the case

Chris Comeaux: three kids in WPS
fully support anything that offers more opportunities to kids in WPS

Deb Steigman: applaud efforts in trying to improve our school system
don't believe a costly academy is the right effort at this time
"can't stand here with a clear conscience to say go forward"
less labs in 9th grade than in the middle school
"and for a city that reads we hardly bring home any novels" because we don't have enough
Nelson Place busting at the seams
"why are we looking at the select few?"
"budget isn't going to be any better, it's probably going to be worse"
"something to put on mantle"
"where the heck are you going to put it in Doherty; it's already crowded"
"if that money is found, it should go into trying to fix what we do and make it better"
"let's fix the rigor for everybody, not just 250 students"

Thao Tran: multiple hats: teacher, mother of a future dual student, researcher in language
given the proposal: could be a formula that this could be very profitable
no better time than now to look at getting our students ready for the globalized
perfect time to clarify that dual language is a rigorous
"IB is not a prescriptive program"
doesn't have to be for a select few, implementation process for children in neighborhoods
asking that we revisit how we would implement this
revisit the curriculm behind
prepare our students for a multilingual globalized world

Monica Campbell: parent of students at Doherty, teacher at a private school
topic at our dinner table: her children were the first to say that this can't happen, "Where is it going to go?"
"they love education, they are well-rounded, and well-balanced"
won't raise the bar for everyone
won't allow everyone to have an equal opportunity
"my 9th grader comes home with hardly any homework on a daily basis"
senior had to do dual enrollment, in addition to AP and honors
a lot of questions on how to make IB work for everyone and "not just the 250 we're talking about"

Catherine Whalen: English teacher at Doherty, EAW vice-president
"my dad was head of secondary education in the city of Worcester...dedicated the key to the teachers..in the city of Worcester"
robocall went out to parents, but "not to us"
proud to each very wonderful kids in AP classes "and we invited everyone"
"you want to be challenged in a certain area...okay"
"we give everyone an opportunity...now we're going to take 250 kids and take them from across the city...scores rely heavily on bright children"
now hit the underperforming button on the other schools
"I know that the teachers try to do that" (teach with rigor and confidence every day)
"disconnect between the people who actual educate and the administrators is an abyss"
"agendas here that are driven by politics and not by the community"

Angela Plante: educator, parent of students, parent of current Doherty student
"always encouraged to look at various points of view"
"with these 250 students...what will it do to class rank of students at Doherty?"
see the question above about their enrollment

Peter Bowler, assistant principal at Doherty: to discuss logistics
"We are challenged for space at Doherty; we have been for years"
appreciate the thought of a rehabbed school or new school
"I think that any time you can offer other opportunities it's terrific"
"if there is an academy for advanced learners, we'd welcome the challenge"

And Steve Foskett's article is now posted

petition from the EAW on North High

EAW petition regarding staffing at North High
North High faculty has signed the petition to you
referral here is to budget
"largest or one of the largest population of WPS  students but of the high schools it has the second lowest or the lowest number of staff"
"more staff in the building, is more people in the halls, more staff on duty"
"North High is a great school, and there are a tremendous number of great kids in that building"
numbers haven't kept up with the numbers of students
"you can do more with less under a block schedule"
"while we appreciate and recognize that it has been worked on, it needs more to be worked on"
guidance situation, "way way out of line with what it should be"
Petty: will have this at the budget meeting
Boone: certainly appreciate the communication from North faculty
"exemplifies the difficult recommendations made to the School Committee" last year
transition from block to
76.6 to 91...added nearly 20 teachers over last four budget
North High only high school slated to receive additional teachers this past year, due to enrollment
O'Connell: supplement from enrollment report for numbers in classes when sent to budget
also let North know when the budget hearing is
numbers at have grown substantially
same issue will arise this spring
staffing that are most vital to us
Monfredo: as a former principal that the schools go through
Novick: passing along from Miss Biancheria need for promise of students in building and new building being met
budget priority setting session
Foley: reconcile numbers that are here
Hearing this Saturday at Nashoba at 11 on the foundation budget (PLEASE COME!)
special education costs are costing $35M more a year
health insurance costs more than $25M more a year
if people could make it, it would be a powerful statement to make

Teacher Licensure before Worcester School Committee

Note that this is going to Governance

EAW president:

The EAW and MTA strongly oppose any proposal that would tie educator evaluation to licensure

"We strongly oppose all three models…linking performance to licensure is wrong”

State’s job is to determine if a teacher qualified

Overreach by state

“too many mandates on top of too many mandates”

Malone has said “trying to drink water from a fire hose”

Why so urgent to do it at this time?

Katherine Whalen: “fast pace and we can’t keep up with it”

Whether you’re an administrator, whether you’re a teacher, whether you’re an IA…

Quote from Research Bureau “Commonwealth should not rely on test scores for broad systemic outcomes”

“I would prefer heat at all our…schools, I would prefer paper…our children are on technology all day long…technology doesn’t improve education”

Caitlin McCarthy: “they’re honestly about money”

Teachers will start losing their licensures forever

Creating a churn and burn environment

“disgrace to allow outside those…who don’t answer to voters to make these decisions”

O’Connell: particularly germain to a school committee

Proposal that is the opposite of what is what you and I are used to as lawyers

License can be ended if particular factors are not in the teacher’s favor at that particular time

Still a real risk that teachers whose license depends on scores that their students may achieve may choose to work elsewhere

Teachers may choose to leave the state or may choose to work elsewhere

Monfredo: agree with tonight’s speakers

How can anyone connect teacher evaluation to licensure?

Ask that a letter be sent out to our Commissioner to rethink this proposal

Novick: need to take this up promptly, as this is moving

concerns beyond those expressed with barring people from entering the profession; lengthy difficult process

costly to keep the licenses up

Fingerprinting

comments from EAW that there is no updating in the system
other states have it done right; we don't have it done right
Petty: understood, but this is the law
approved

Layoffs going out today

I hate having to post this. Best information I have, with emphasis added, though: the Worcester School Committee received the following this afternoon from Superintendent Boone:

The Administration continues to work with the City Manager regarding the FY15 funding level based on the House of Representatives budget and the amount of city contribution for next year.  The WPS Budget will be available on Friday, May 9^th and will be balanced based on our estimate of local, state, and federal revenue for next year. 

In order to meet our contractual obligations with the EAW, we need to proceed with posting of job vacancies for next year. To conduct this process, we must notify employees that will be laid off or displaced next year as a result of the budget deficit based upon the Administration’s recommended budget.  These layoff and displacement notices are being provided to employees today.    

In the elementary positions, we are planning on an average districtwide class size of approximately 22.8 students and we do not anticipate class sizes of more than 30 students (unless lack of available space within schools do not allow for additional teacher positions).  Also, please know that we “over cut” the number of positions to allow for a number of positions to be available in August/September to address enrollment changes that often occur between now and the start of the new school year. 

With regards to secondary school positions, the reductions identified by the Administration would not reduce course offerings to students next year.  However, we also do not see any changes in the number of study halls offered next year. 

I am working closely with City Manager Augustus on the budget level for next year.  I will provide a full summary of the budget actions that will be included in the Administration’s FY15 budget once we finalize the level of city funding for next year.  I will provide this information as soon as we have a bottom line budget. 

And I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is no budget until it is passed by the Worcester School Committee at the end of June.

Worcester School Committee meets TOMORROW!

The Worcester School Committee has a rare TUESDAY meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm. It is preceded by our annual school choice hearing at 6:45; you can find the meeting agenda here.
 The school choice hearing is something we are required to do annually. Each year, the Worcester School Committee has to vote on if we will allow students to choose to come to Worcester from out of town (we must allow our students to go to other districts; we can decide if we wish to take those from elsewhere.) Generally, we do, on a space available basis. The hearing is to allow any member of the public to speak on this issue prior to our vote.
There is no report of the Superintendent.
The EAW wishes to enter negotiations regarding the new requirement that all of our employees be fingerprinted so as to be screened by the national database, something which Massachusetts was the only remaining state to fail to do.
We have the reporting out of Teaching, Learning, and Student Supports; my notes on that meeting are here.
We have a few personnel items reporting out from Administration.
We have a report on state funding remaining for North High School through MSBA.
We have a report on the number of art and music teachers and the number of study halls by high school.
We have congratulations to pass along to our DECA students and to the Burncoat robotics team!
We're having a budget hearing!
We're sending the audit reports off to F&O (as we do each year).
Rep. O'Day's bill on homeless students  is before us for consideration.
Miss Biancheria is asking for a report on dropouts and one on the collaboration with the youth opportunities office.
I'm doing my annual request for a report on the demographics and MCAS scores of Worcester's charter schools.
I've also asked that we ensure that our student reps are elected (per student request, incidentally).
And I'm asking for the number and percentage of students that opted out of the March PARCC pilot with a similar report requested for the June pilot.
Mr. Monfredo is asking for MASC's legal opinion on the ongoing grant administration issue with the city.
He's also asking for a report on "the successes" of the AVID program.
Administration asks that we elect our representative and alternate to the MASC conference in November (h/t to Dr. Friel, who I believe is making sure we get the early bird rate on this!).
Mr. O'Connell is filing an item on the Norrback and Roosevelt dual language program.
Mr. Monfredo deserves congratulations for receiving the Ubuntu award from ACE!
We're being asked to recognize the good work of Professor Wagner's classes at Chandler Magnet and of Working for Worcester citywide.
We're sending our annual, required, school lunch price increase off to subcommittee (this would be an increase for the 2014-15 school year).
And we have an executive session at 6, discussing a grievance and negotiations with the instructional assistants.

EAW president on safety

"my colleagues and I are here this evening to bring to you our concerns about student and staff safety"
when students act out
difficulties Worcester teachers face in our efforts to educate all of the students in our classrooms
"concerned that the acts of a few restrict the rigths of many"
ask that any effort to review student discipline include teachers

Contracts, contracts

With the EAW--the teachers!, with tradesmen, and with plumbers and steamfitters, plus our non-represented employees.
All through (and pass reconsideration) tonight.
I saw Jackie Reis taking notes, so I'll leave it to her to get the details out.

Citizen petition on coaching

We're hearing a citizen petition on coaching as it relates the teaching contract.
Currently, teachers have first dibs, so to speak, on coaching jobs, without regard to level of coaching ability.
Referred to negotiations

EAW president

apologizes for not being at the last meeting
thanks the mayor and the superintendent for going up to talk to the teachers at North
teachers would like to be further engaged in the solution: so that everyone feels they've been heard
glad that safety "was big on the agenda today"
will forward MTA's Legislative agenda to us
to get much needed dollars to our needy kids

Worcester School Committee meets this Thursday

The Worcester School Committee meets this Thursday, January 17. You can find the agenda here.
We're being asked to reopen negotiations with the EAW units A and B; that's our teachers. And if it seems as though we just voted a new contract: we did, but our teachers were working under an expired contract, so the new one expires in June. 
We'll also being hearing from union president Len Zaluskas.
We have a number of congratulations and thanks going out to students, to schools, and to community groups.
There are a large number of security items filed by various members. All of these are being sent to administration, and I'm told they'll be taken up at our next meeting in executive session.
We have two reports of note: the report of the superintendent this week is the first of the FY14 budget reports. The back-up is not yet posted (I suspect we'll get it later today).
The second is the 2012-13 enrollment report. We're getting this now due largely to miscommunication on my part (sorry!). This gives the overall enrollment by school, including ethnic and other breakdowns; the enrollment by class in both elementary and secondary classrooms. There is LOTS to talk about here, and I'd urge you to give it a look (and post to come on this!).
7 pm tomorrow at City Hall!

EAW president on innovation schools

Len Zalauskas:
"a good example on why the city of Worcester needs to improve the funding of the Worcester Public Schools...get a bang for their buck!"
requests that this be taken back to the City Council