You may have heard we're having a meeting this week

The Worcester School Committee meets in public session this week at 7 (or so). We have an executive session scheduled for 6. You can find our agenda here.

We will be taking up two items in Executive Session:

• Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Superintendent’s Employment Contract.
• Executive session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Interim Superintendent Employment Contract.

We have several groups coming in to be recognized (including the wonderfully named Spiritually Fabulous Ministries).
The section of the policy manual regarding the work of the School Committee, now on its second hold, is again on the agenda.
The report of the superintendent this week is on our alternative education programs, which has had a grant-funded outside evaluation. Should you have any interest in our programs, it's definitely worth a read.
The EAW is requesting that we open negotiations for successor contracts with Bus Drivers (Aids to the Physically Handicapped), Bus Monitors, Units A &B, Instructional Assistants, Parent Liaisons, ESL Tutors, abd OT/PT Assistants.
We're being informed a few personnel items.
The North High Alumni Association raised money for a van for the school, and so we're planning to thank them for that.
Mr. Monfredo would like to recognize the South High AP Pep Rally.
There's a conference later this month on "Human Rights and Social Studies" that some may be interested in.
We're being asked to accept a donation from Shaw's to McGrath Elementary of $400.
Mr. Monfredo is recommending that schools share best practices to improve school climate and parent involvement.
Mr. Monfredo is looking to schedule meetings with the delegation.
We're being asked to accept a donation of $250 from JVE for Tatncuk Magnet.
Mr. Foley is calling to our attention the work of the Unified Theater.
Yes, I've been selected for the 2015 the All-State School Committee...
Mr. O'Connell is requesting any update on the school security audit (which we got on Friday).
We're being asked to accept an anonymous donation of $5000 and a $100 donation from Kate Toomey to Tatnuck Magnet.
We're being asked to approve prior fiscal year payments to psychologists of $77.63 and $39.68, respectively.
Miss Biancheria would like a report on the Recovery High School.
Mr. Monfredo wants to talk about Family Literacy Month.

Finally, there are three from Mayor Petty:

• Request that the Administration ask the purchasing agent to prepare documents for a Request for Proposal for a search firm for the selection of the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools.
• To consider selection of Dr. Marco Rodrigues as Interim Superintendent of Schools.
• To approve the timeline for the selection of the new Superintendent of Schools.

Executive session at 6; public session scheduled for 7, at City Hall or livestreaming online.

Capital priority projects for FY15

This list is not exhaustive and does not include MSBA projects; this is from admin responses to items involving the budget.

• Jacob Hiatt roof top units (this is their HVAC system, which was already supposed to be done, that you might remembering my mentioning at our last meeting. We've had a holdup in the crediting of reimbursement)
• Worcester Tech compressors (two of them)
• Boiler replacements for the Taylor Building, Foley Stadium, Mill Swan (none of which are MSBA eligible because of not having students in the buildings) and West Tatnuck (where the boiler broke after this winter and must be replaced before fall).
• Tatnuck Magnet wall replacement (outside)
• Parent Information Center paint trim (the PIC is made of brick but has wooden gingerbread trim)
• Jacob Hiatt front plaza and side stairs (stonework)
• Lake View wall replacement (outside) 

Worcester School Committee meets Thursday, March 5

Yes, two in a row, due to the February calendar.
You can find the agenda here; we also have a supplemental, which is just sending the bus bids off to the March 16 F&O meeting for consideration.
We're recognizing our Posse Scholars this week!
We have a communication coming in from the EAW regarding the new fingerprinting law.

The report of the Superintendent this week is the first FY16 budget estimates. Note that the Governor's budget is set to come out the day before, on March 4 (which is why there's no backup on this item as yet). If you can't make the meeting this week,  Mr. Allen will be at CPPAC on March 11 at 7 pm at Chandler Magnet with the same presentation (or a similar one).

We have a response from administration on Constitution Day activities.
We have a response from administration regarding the CSX funds.
We have a response from administration regarding the Betty Curtis Young Writers' Conference.
We have an item on the auditors' reports which we're sending off to F&O, to discuss at the same March 16 meeting.
Mr. Monfredo has asked that we congratulate the Valentine's Day contest winners.
Ms. Biancheria is asking for an update on North High.
We're being asked to accept a donation of $45.05 for Tatnuck Magnet School.
I have an item congratulating WPS on the second reception of the Meritorious Budget award!
I've asked that parents receive the specific dates their children are scheduled to take PARCC or MCAS.
I've also asked that we get some information on the impact the changes in vocational school regulations passed last week by the Board of Ed will have on admission to Worcester Tech.
Finally, administration is requesting authority to enter a 10 year lease agreement with the YMCA. Jacob Hiatt uses their gym and some parking spaces.

Worcester School Committee meets Thursday, October 16

There is a regular meeting of the Worcester School Committee on Thursday at 7 pm. You can find the agenda here.
By the way, Mike does these great round-ups of the City Council agenda each week. 
After a few (previously announced) recognitions...
The report of the superintendent is this week is the new district literacy initiative. You can find the PowerPoint here (though i think we're going to need to see the presentation to get it). 
We have a few retirements and appointments.
We have a report coming back in response to Miss Biancheria and Mr. Monfredo's query about summer school participation.
We're being asked to accept a Greater Worcester Community Foundation grant of $7223 to Worcester Tech (some of which is for a water remediation model; the rest unrestricted).
I'm asking my colleagues to weigh in on the resolutions before the Mass Association of School Committee Delegates Assembly (prior to my representing Worcester there). Those resolutions are here (including one proposed by us!).
Mr. O'Connell is proposing that we recognize a National Merit Scholarship commended student.
Backpack Awareness Day material is being recommended for sharing (no backup on this one).
Mr. O'Connell proposes reviewing Doherty's progress report to NEASC.
Harvard Pilgrim did some good work over at Tatnuck Magnet.
There's a new Massachusetts license plate "Support Mass Public Schools" in which funding would come to the district; Mr. O'Connell is commending it to our attention.
And Mr. O'Connell is requesting that administration prepare materials for parents and students on opting out of the PARCC.
We have a prior fiscal year payment of $19,083.45 for a nurse (contractual sick leave).
And a resubmission, again, of the question of using the US Naturalization exam as a graduation requirement.

We also (at 6 pm) are meeting in executive session on the nurses' contract and two worker's comp cases.

Back-to-school facilities update!

Today's Friday letter is a back-to-school facilities update! In brief:

• Chandler Magnet is coming back to new windows! ("substantially complete" by the first day)
• Columbus Park is going to have all boarded up windows done by the start of school; the rest will be finished during second shift work this fall. (Another hold-up at the window factory) The new ramp is in, but it won't have a handrail for the start of school, plus it needs to be clear with Boston before use. The new boilers are in, and the vestibule and bathrooms will be done by school opening.
• Remember those massive Worcester East Middle School boilers? They have been quite a project! Thus that project is behind schedule. The call on whether the school is put on a temporary boiler for this winter will be made by September 20. And MSBA hasn't gotten back to us yet on the rest of the work there: windows and the interior electrical/plumbing/heating.
• Worcester Arts Magnet is getting their windows delivered in late September; they'll be installed second shift. The bathroom and vestibule work will be done for back to school.
• Tatnuck Magnet, likewise, will get their new windows in late September, and they'll go in during second shift. Note that this is expected to impact the branch library there. 

Send along questions if you've got 'em! 

Summer building work

There are often projects going on in our schools over the summer; this summer, we have several BIG projects happening:

• Worcester East Middle School is getting new boilers.
• Chandler Magnet School is getting the rest of their new windows. They're also getting the roof work and solar panels done, thus the flags around the roof.
• Worcester Arts Magnet School is getting new windows, as well as some work done to the vestibule and the bathrooms.
• Columbus Park is getting its new boiler, as well as having the new windows installed.
• Tatnuck Magnet is getting new windows.

Good stuff! (And thanks, MSBA!)

School Accountability Plans

reminder from Biancheria that we don't approve or make changes
We have the ones from Gates Lane, Burncoat Prep, and Tatnuck Magnet tonight
Perda: "pretty much random, except I tried to get some distribution across the accountability levels"
all schools stick to the district-provided template for providing plans; all aligned to district accountability plans:

• student achievement
• safe and secure schools
• parent and community engagement
• communication

in cycle of reflection ahead of developing plans next year

Biancheria: do they speak with parents on developing?

dates and times? due to admin, but presentation to school site councils at the time

still tweaking of document that takes place: peer review by other principals

reviewed by accountability office, and quadrant office both on measurements and on interventions

then posted online in late fall

Perda: preliminary ELA MCAS data released to schools today for schools to start looking at 

"whether or not the instructional piece that they've put into place is working"

O'Connell: very specific role "in order to ensure consistency with the district accountability plan and three year action plan"

role of parents: parity of members of staff in school on site council, some achieved that

reminder to principals ensure that when site council convene that they have parity (Ch. 71, sec. 59c); thus follow composition of site council and makeup of them

site councils often meet at times that parents cannot make; of concern

Novick: do they ever not use MCAS?
Yes, but not often.
So what will we do next year? ...still to be determined...
concerned that we are lowering or raising the number rather than reaching the outcome wished for
(You can lower the number of student office referrals; that doesn't necessarily make the school any safer)
Not everything important that happens in a school fits in the box; concern with making something go up or down a number, not with what that means for the child, the school, or community

New principals and assistant principals appointed

We've just received the new principals and assistant principals appointed by Superintendent Boone in our Friday letter.

Jessica Boss, Principal, Chandler Elementary Community School 

 Yeu Kue, Principal, City View Discovery School 

 Mary Labuski, Principal, Flagg Street School 

 Martha Dewar, Principal, Lincoln Street School 

 Caprice Kopka, Principal, Rice Square School 

 Josephine Robertson, Principal, Sullivan Middle 

 Carenza Jackson, Principal, Vernon Hill School 

 

 Michael Dunphy, Assistant Principal, Belmont Street Community School 

 Lynne-Ann Handleman, Assistant Principal, Chandler Magnet School (ACT) 

 Renee Powers, Assistant Principal, Lake View School 

 Nancy O’Coin, Assistant Principal, Quinsigamond School 

 Caryn McCrohon, Assistant Principal, Tatnuck Magnet School 

Mary Ellen Scanlon, Assistant Principal, Thorndyke Road School 

You can find out more about them at the above link. Nearly all are internal hires.

update on One Library

continue to be working on this project
we continue to work on what's happening with this: met with them and facilities yesterday
two things going on:
(not gotten to the point of defining all the operational aspects)
site evaluations at each site, including timelines
best to have that level of specifics
fundraising continuing for facilities needs; some funding was already secured
Roosevelt is most ready: larger space, newer facilities
Burncoat Prep will be in a mobile unit: making sure that is safe
Goddard has active library space
Tatnuck Magnet: looking at opening space and removing computer room
security issues of keeping space for public access
public access only during non-school hours
working to define what will be out of school hours
will be an MOU relative to all of that happening
financial commitment is through fundraising
closer to when we will be able to have more to say
opening throughout the fall
still working out other details

One Library press conference

And Finz is here. posting as we go
Petty: "another great announcement for the city of Worcester"
Thanks everyone for being here today
"very positive impact on Worcester's youth...One City, One Library...little collaboration, working to get things done"
"things don't happen by accident...really amazes me how things get started...a couple of people have an idea, get talking...happened almost by accident"
"having library open during the day and also by night for the neighborhood"
Patty Eppinger: "all of our show"
"exciting time for Worcester...lots of positive energy, heading in a great direction"
"when we see a need, we don't just walk away, we try to get things done"
"critical to have our children have access to books, technology and professionals"
score higher on standardized achievement tests in reading
third grade
"many needs in our community..pulled in many directions...think creatively...how to benefit everyone"
several months: "a group of very dedicated, very hard working volunteers...libraries back to schools and neighborhood"
worldwide system of resources, librarians, library staff
"all have a stake in helping our children and our neighborhood"
not exactly as accidentally as the Mayor referenced
....WPL Foundation, WEDF, WPL, WPS, UMass-Med, CM, WEC
MCAS scores on
"two reasons: to thank volunteers...to build and maintain the libraries that exist in our libraries today"
"four school-based children services branches opening in the fall, one per quadrant"
"update existing" technology...books, facilities,
"offer new programs that will make reading fun"
open to neighboring public when schools are not in session
"we all believe this will be a win-win situation"
sites chosen for "a variety of" neighborhoods, access from an outside entrance, parking
Plus a second Libby solely for children's services
asking principals to come forward
Principals of Tatnuck Magnet, Roosevelt, Burncoat Prep, and Goddard
"have graciously opened their schools to us"
cites O'Brien
CM O'Brien: "wonderful to be here"
"not looking forward to ice and snow"
"amazing work in our public schools"
volunteers are "a foundation that we hope to build upon"
improve access to all that our library has to offer to all of our citizens
"uniquely positioned to go forward...new and innovative way"
"children achieving their grade level reading ability"
Private/public partnership like no other
schools and libraries are "working together" to how they work on hours, staffing, access
current PILOT from WPI, Clark,
UMass-Med for $700,000 in materials
private support from WPL Foundation "going forward"
thanks subcommittee that "analyzed statistics on grade level reading
"pleased to announce the city...fund designated solely for library services...additional $250,000 towards this goal"
$1.25 million for year one
"some things take time, and age like fine wine"
Leary from UMass-Med
kids growing up in Worcester and staying here
used to be to work in the mills
45% of employment is higher ed and health care
STEM fields: early literacy
"very happy to participate, happy for you to have me hear today"
"would not happen without the 100% support of our superintendent"
Boone: share in the excitement of all on this stage here today
on my mind since I've been here, "I know was on the agenda of the School Committee prior to that"
"libraries not just places where we house books and we check them in and out"
"where lifelong learning really takes hold"
sister of an elementary librarian
rolling up sleeves
"when you have a vision, you have to bring something of substance to the table"
front-loading success...moving away from remediation
proactive stance
initial sites for this intiative
"every school has its unique personality...how do we use that to create the best for the schools and the community"
principals: hours, role of librarian in schools
still going to take a great deal to close the gap on hours and services
volunteers cited and thanks
"sibling of Libby"
"large school system and going to take a lot of effort to get where we need"
reading levels of 3rd and 4th grade boys used to calculate the number of prison beds are needed
"great and exciting day for the city of Worcester" and the Worcester Public Schools
Susan Gately: (president of WPL board)
proud to be part of the city of Worcester
"loveable, liveable city that we have"
"work together on the board with these big ideas"
cites library director for her "big ideas"
"really great ideas, resourceful, creative, responsive, impactful, bold"
four branches
"more reach with little Libby"
well-spent city resources: "I hope that we'll see more of all of you as we work to see this really great idea come together"
Leslie Fish (president of WPL Foundation)
"when the City Manager came and presented this idea to the WPL Foundation, not only did the Board immediately vote on it, a member wanted it to go down on this as 'enthusiastically'"
sent children to WPS, access to libraries
"superior resources of the Worcester Public Library...seems to be no other"
"going to raise the matching funds to complete infrastructure needs for this year"
working with WEDF to get the funds for the "little Libby"
comments that One City, One Library is up online (it's not...yet)
Rebecca Alt, library organizer from Tatnuck Magnet: parent volunteers at our school that is "an amazing group of people ever"
"to see our kids day in and day out enjoying it...such a highlight of being a parent at this school"
"this is incredible..makes what we did this year worth it, let's us breathe a little"

In closing, Patty Eppinger notes that this will cost $2 M for the first year, and thus far they have $1.25 M

This makes nine accelerated repairs for Worcester

And we're in!!

Expect to see those projects as early as next summer!

As a reminder: these projects are:

• Columbus Park: windows and boiler
• Tatnuck Magnet: windows
• Worcester Arts Magnet: windows
• Worcester East Middle: roof, windows, boiler

Best estimate we have right now is we're looking at projects totalling about $15 million.

Worcester school buildings before the state tomorrow!

We've recently gotten word that ALL FOUR of our proposed Accelerated repair projects are before the Mass School Building Authority board tomorrow at 10 am!
As a reminder, those projects are:

• Columbus Park: windows and boiler
• Tatnuck Magnet: windows
• Worcester Arts Magnet: windows
• Worcester East Middle: windows, roof, boiler

This is great news! Remember, this means we're up for 80% reimbursement on these fixes! 

I will be there and will liveblog the meeting. 

Statements of Interest going to Mass School Building Authority

Major repair or renovation:

1. South High Community School
2. Burncoat High School
3. Doherty Memorial High School

Accelerated Repair:

• Columbus Park School: windows and boiler
• Tatnuck Magnet School: windows
• Worcester East Middle School: roof, windows, and boiler
• Worcester Arts Magnet School: windows

PASSES UNANIMOUSLY with reconsideration unanimously voted down
These now go to the City Council for their next meeting on April 2. Note that it must be voted (and reconsidered that night) in order to meet the state deadline of April 10. 

MSBA Statements of Interest

You can find the snazzy report here.
Three high schools for replacement or major renovation
"I just want to be candid...MSBA requires that we identify a priority project, and the administration identifies South High...however, this is being presented as a package" of the three high schools
Used MSBA's numbers for priorities
Can only identify one project as priority: impact on educational environment
...all three schools are on warning status

And accelerated repair

• Worcester East Middle: Windows, Boiler, & Roof note here that WEMS is down to one boiler; if (and when) it fails, they're down to one boiler
• Columbus Park School: Windows & Boiler
• Tatnuck Magnet School: Windows
• Worcester Arts Magnet: Windows

Unanimously approved, so on to the full committee on Thursday with a quick turnaround to Council

Facilities work update

I've just scanned in the memo (page 1; page 2)  the School Committee received on Friday with an update on the summer 2011 project work. You might remember that there was some work that didn't get finished by school opening.

• Clark Street: has eight classrooms with new flooring; eleven renovated bathrooms; new lockers; new water fountains; and much painting. There's a bit of painting still to go; otherwise, Clark Street is done.
• Goddard: Goddard has the old "bathrooms in the basement" set-up in the older building (that's the left-hand one, if you're standing on Richards Street). Those bathrooms have had a really nice renovation (and props to the staff and students for dealing with limited bathroom access for December and January!), which are now done. A similar renovation is being done in the newer (right) building once school gets out for the summer. Painting is now done throughout the building. 
• Tatnuck Magnet: two major bathroom renovations this summer. There will also be new flooring installed this summer in some areas.
• Worcester East Middle Schools: on the science labs...they've been sent out to bid more than once. We were also denied funding under MSBA (who, alas, went with "only high school" for their secondary science lab renovation funding!). The Worcester Public Schools is currently waiting to have the City Manager authorize the remainder of the $3 million allocated for school building rehabilitation ($1.3 million remains), before this work can proceed.

School repair and rehab projects

I thought it might be easier to sort through if you could just go to the school you're interested in, so I've loaded them as separate Google docs (the full backup is here).
Note that these are executive summaries, not the actual applications. Further note that the Green Repair program is a single page chart including 21 schools that need windows, roof, or boiler, or some combination of the three.

• Nelson Place
• Burncoat High
• Doherty Memorial High
• South High Community
• Worcester East Middle
• Tatnuck Magnet
• Clark Street Developmental 
• Goddard School
• Flagg Street
• Chandler Elementary 
• Burncoat Middle
• Green Repair Program

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”**

There was a press conference this afternoon with the mayor, the city manager, the superintendent, and assorted city council and school committee members to announce the summer 2011 capital improvements. I've included the final list below: