Holyoke state takeover hearing

I we're having public address issues; the chair's mic is very scratchy and dull
posting as we go
Bit of a delay here as we try to figure out how anyone is going to be heard if the Chair's mic doesn't work
They've turned off the sound system; Sagan has come to the front of the stage to opening the meeting. Chester's introduction meets with boo's; the rest with scattered applause.

Sergio Paez appointed next superintendent of the Holyoke Public Schools

Last night the Holyoke School Committee overwhelmingly (and then unanimously) voted to select Worcester's Supplemental Supports Manager Sergio Paez as Holyoke's next superintendent. The current superintendent is retiring in June.
Congratulations, Sergio! Our loss is Holyoke's gain!

Superintendent's report: English Language Learners

ELL presentation

Dr. Mulqueen (CAO) and Dr. Paez (ELL director)
First type we have is direct instruction (in ESL labs), TBE programs, and the two biligual programs
ESL Tutoring (push-in or pull-out programs)
Regular classroom: regular classroom teachers, highly trained
currently we have 6100 students in ELL programs and slide 4 shows the moving along of students in their learning of English

population is changing: increased population by 2000 students while adding 5 teachers (from 2007-2010)

in ESL labs, teacher are dually licensed teachers, licensed tutors
New ESL language curriculum, new technologies

in the two-way programs at Norrback and Roosevelt, half of the students (and half of instruction) is English and half Spanish

TBE transitional biligual education (at Chandler Magnet) which is what we are allowed under the consent degree, which is around 360 students, and moves students along in their fluency in English

Question from Mr. Monfredo regarding special ed students...Dr. Mulqueen speaks of different services provided to the same student...but is there an overlap? He says there isn't a direct connection...but have access to services.

Mr. O'Connell gets up and basically from memory recites the history of English language instruction in Worcester (including dates and legal cases) and asks where we are in the variety of legal directions we are required to go in. The mayor intervenes and says that we'll understand if they can't answer that. Superintendent Boone says that we're developing a continuum of services looking at best practices. Dr. Paez adds that parents have a choice of what program suit their child, and adds that the consent decree only applies to Spanish speakers.