001Just just want to welcome everybody to the Worester School Committee. Um just call the meeting to order. If you can please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the national anthem >> to the flag of the United States of America and to it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all. Should we sing? Should we sing? [Music] Once so proud we held at the twilight last gleaming whose bright stripes and bright stars through the barrel sparts we were so gallently streaming and the rock is red. The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangle man way for the land of the free and the home of the brave. [Music] Roll call. >> Member Alvarez, >> present. >> Member Viania. Member
002Vernenda >> present. >> Member Guardiola >> here. >> Vice Chair Johnson. Member Mailman >> here. >> Member McCulla >> here. Member Roy >> here. Mayor Penny >> here. Okay. Our first item is the consent agenda. >> Roll call. >> Member Alvarez. >> Yes. Member Bianceria. Member Bernenda. >> Yes. >> Member Guardiola. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Johnson. Member Mailman. >> Yes. >> Member McCulla? >> Yes. >> Member Roy? >> Yes. >> Mayor Petty? >> Yes. Uh public comment. The person speak for no more than two minutes. >> Is your name in city of residence? And uh item number >> uh Fred Nathan Worcester. Um to be honest, Mr. Mayor, I don't know what number it is. >> That's fine as long as it's on the agenda. >> Okay. All right. My understanding is that it
003is. So the item about naming the field after the firefighter, Menade, I know some boobirds will get up and say, luckily they're not here. Um, all the firefighters of police, you know, that's what they get paid for. And, uh, they get paid, but a firefighter lost his life cuz most likely he was going into a burning building trying to save someone. So, I think it is a nobrainer that this committee approve it. I'm not going to get up here and speak and speak and speak about this. I'm I'm going to say is nothing less than a nine to nothing vote in favor of it uh is acceptable. I think every one of you here uh knows your job and so if there's any boobirds who are going to vote no, you might as well just
004leave now. >> Thank you. Okay, seeing nobody else. Okay. Okay. Public petition request that the school committee update the district policy to require explicit consent from parent guardians when a third party service wants to use personal information collected from the students to train or otherwise de develop artificial intelligent technologies. We can um to the petitioner here. No. Okay. We'll send that to FOG member mailman. I'd like to recommend that that go to TLSS, please. And the second petition, um they are both um standing committee on TLSS addresses topics, policies and practices related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and I think this whole topic is certainly part of our curriculum and um teaching and learning side. >> Okay. All set. Anybody may object or Okay, we send those both. Let me read the second one. Request out
005the school committee to update district policies require explicit consent from parents guidance before a third party service collects the any data that could be uh biometric identifier such as audio recordings, photographs and or videos. And Mr. Oil is the petitioner of both. I'll send that to uh committee. All those in favor both. So audited. Report the superintendent report the standing committees. Uh we have first one is >> Fog. Okay. Um the fog met on June 16th, 2025 and had items regarding the wellness policy, um the proposed naming of something after firefighter Manard and as well as some public petition responses, the draft naming policy which was approved and um an item from member Guardiola requesting the number of employees at max sick sick leave in both 2022 and 2023 as well as response from administration
006regarding middle school sports, the MSBA process, and a motion from vice chair to receive facilities reports on efforts to make the sale facility safer for those with high needs, and a um an item that was filed by um Mr. Kilibru regarding FAM, Jam, and youth opportunities. All of the items were approved and filed or approved with their motions attached. >> Member Gardio for member mail. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. So GB41 uh excuse me, GB4-114 was my item. Uh I was a little taken back and disappointed with the report that was provided. Uh first of all, I requested this report back in October of last year and this was the one page that we got. Um that tells me that was either you know purposely held back to manipulate or or the request or
007do something that what you know didn't want to be reported on or the administration didn't see the request as a priority. Uh since my first day on this committee committee, I've been continuously talking about full transparency and disclosure. We owe it to our students, our parents, our taxpayers to share requested information in full and in a timely manner. The attendance of teachers plays a critical role in student learning and school success. Uh consistent teacher presence ensures instructional continuity, fosters positive relationships, and supports academic prog progress. Regular attendance allows teachers to follow planned curriculum without interruptions. Daily lessons build on prior knowledge. Absences disrupt the sequence causing learning gaps. Studies consistently show that a direct correlation between consistent teacher attendance and higher student performance especially in our core subjects is crucial. Uh frequent teacher absences often
008lead to lower test scores and reduce academic growth. Uh it helps foster stronger trusting relationships with students which is essential for motivation, engagement, classroom behavior. Um, you know, this is something that we have to continually watch and monitor. Uh, you know, substitutes can struggle with enforcing, uh, routines leading to disruptions and increased instructional times. uh there's really a big deal and I'm speaking about from you know callings you know calls from teachers parents on a regular basis saying that their students or their their students or their uh their children are >> not getting what they expect out of them because they're always having issues with substitute teachers on a regular basis. So uh I really want to be clear on this Mr. mayor and I would like to make a motion that I would like
009a comprehensive report on how many people use the allotted 15 sick days in a school year ending in 2022, 2023, 2024 separately how they how many exceeded that and how many actually used the 15 or exceeded in continuous years. I think there is a pattern here that I continuously hear it from teachers and parents and I would like to make it, you know, a motion because I think it's so crucial for the future of this administration. I know Mr. Allen, this is your first day uh in this role and I know this wasn't on your on your watch, but again, going forward, I think this is so crucial and important for the future. Uh so I'd like to make that motion, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Okay, are those in favor? Post so ordered. I'm
010mail. >> No. I wanted to I don't know if you want to pull out or I should the naming policy. I have some questions about that. >> This is on what the item that it's on the committee. >> Yeah. Um >> this is on >> it's on the report. Yeah. >> The draft naming part. So do I need to pull it out or can I just make some comments right now? >> No, it's four. We haven't voted on it yet. So it's 420. We can make some comments. >> Okay. So I I um I would have liked to have seen like a red line so that we understood really what was changing with this policy. And um one motion that I definitely would make is that um part of what's come up in each of
011the different scenarios that have been before us in the last number of years through the chair is this whether or not the school has a and I get you guys call it um a a subcom some committee of the school that is is deemed you know principal there was a whole list of people that should be part of it. What I was surprised at is it said may be created and I would make a motion that it should say will be created. There's either a policy or there's not. Otherwise, we have this wishy-washy thing that is not really consistent. So, I would make a motion that we change may to will in the naming policies so that each of these situations are handled the same way that the school has a voice um in what
012happens here. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else? Anybody oppose? So all good. Okay. So motion is on that. >> Yeah. Everybody use for it. You want a roll call or you just want >> Okay. Roll call. >> Member Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Member Vancaria. >> No. >> Member Bernendo. >> Yes. >> Member Guardiola. >> No. Vice Chair Johnson. >> Yes. >> Member mailman. >> Yes. >> Member McCulla. >> No. >> Member Roy. >> No. >> Mayor Penny. >> No. Okay. >> Okay. We are going to ma'am. >> Can I ask for a followup um to see the red line of the old policy versus the new policy? >> All those in favor. >> Okay, we did this. We're on the July 8th. So, this is uh probably before us. So we're just going
013to member McCulla. This is on >> is that the >> policies? >> What policy? >> The grading >> the mastery based grading policy. >> The grading policy. >> I apologize. We're holding this because we have >> Okay. So this will be held roll call. Uh this is the degrading pol p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p practice only because uh it's still in committee. So um this shouldn't be in front of us. So >> there's nothing in front of us to speak on. This shouldn't be in front of us. So >> I still want to speak on it. >> There's nothing to speak on. I'm rolling it out of order. So >> we >> there's nothing to speak this. Okay, just to be
014clear here. So >> yeah, >> that was in committee >> was I guess it was a 22 vote. >> So my understanding a two vote is you cannot bring it out of committee onto the uh school committee 4. So this is improperly in front of us. So the ruling is that we're not speaking on it. So member mailman, >> thank you. Thanks for clarifying it, too. You know, we clearly had discussions um when we >> we're not we're not discussing this item. You can >> It's not the item. It's what you just talked about that it's not moving forward. We clearly had discussions that with a 44 subcommittees we would have times when we would see a 22 vote >> and that the answer to that was clearly and why it is not listed in
015our rules because it was clearly discussed and clearly agreed to that those it would be the full body then that votes that. >> So I don't understand why this item is being held. I I think people agree I and I'm thinking you might be right on that. So um but unfortunately >> can we take uh so what's the problem? Unfortunately, I talked to I did talk to Ogle and uh unfortunately we did not put that in the rules and we can amend that to put that in the rules >> for future purposes and since it's not in the rules, we have to go with the Robert rules and they say you need a majority vote >> and I will make one final comment I'd like to those rules >> right that we all talked about
016here and were put forth by the rulemaker of the world at that time that was on this committee. It is stunning to me that we're now saying three two years later >> that that is not so that is really and it's a re it's a mark against the um committee structure that we have which is unfortunate because we had discussed what to do about that. Unfortunately, we didn't. Can we add that to the rules and send that who does the rules? That would be >> okay. Make a motion to update the rules on the uh regarding when there's a 22 vote in sub. >> There's probably broader changes too, but yes. Y get that one in. Sure. >> I I'd rather have discussion. I think everybody in this room would rather have the discussion tonight.
017So, >> yeah, it's it's >> okay. So uh so send that to committee. >> What's that? >> I'd also comment that that item based even on the comments that we made on the last committee about sending the um AI stuff to teaching and learning that I don't understand why this didn't go to teaching and learning. This is clearly um grading policies. I I mean it's a clear >> landing place for teaching and learning. So I don't understand why >> you can make an argument for both. So but >> and couldn't administer. And lastly, so I'd like to make the argument that it really should go to TLSS. >> Okay. Well, it's still right now. It's already in it's already in fog. So that's where it's going to stay. >> Okay. And then I would just
018say that I will after we bring it back, whenever the heck that's going to be, I'd make a motion we send it to teaching and learning again. >> Thank you. Well, >> I when it when the time comes, >> when the time comes, we can have that discussion, >> right? Thank you. >> Okay. We're not having that discussion tonight. J Council, school committee member Johnson. >> Yeah. to the chair. Maybe maybe I might um jam things up here, but for clarification, is there any way we could suspend the rules to suspend the policy of rule 31 to where it can't come out to the floor to have that discussion? >> I I thought about that today myself and uh there is no rule to suspend. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So, uh, okay.
019Next is I guess we're going to hold that. Well, nothing really to hold. Shouldn't be there. So, we're going to go to approve the grants and finance items. Member McCulla. >> Thank you. Certainly, I don't have an issue with approving any of these grants. Um, uh, through the chair to administration, I'm just curious with the updates that we've heard recently with the funding, federal funding being held to Massachusetts, is there concern around any of these not coming through? And if that's the case, do we have any recourse like we did with things with the department of edit changes through the chair >> through the chair to me >> color. Uh so we haven't heard anything beyond the entitlement grants that we've um heard about so far which is titles 2, three, and four being frozen.
020So we don't have any more information about additional grants being frozen. Um, with regards to the update on the frozen funds, clearly that's a significant impact not only for us, um, which I can give an update in the upcoming item that's on tonight's agenda. Um, but we are hearing of potential lawsuits that may be initiated uh, to challenge the freezing of these funds. And so whether Worcester again participates in that lawsuit, we certainly will be discussing with the school committee. um in the upcoming weeks. >> Can you give an update now? We're on the island. What's the >> So, um with regards to the frozen funds, we've listed for the school committee. It's there's an impact of um $3.5 million that would be in jeopardy for Worcester beginning in September. That $3.5 million funds uh
02120 positions within the district, mostly focused instructional coaches. That's how we've been using uh most of our entitlement grants. There's also after school and PD opportunities as well as school safety funding within the title 4 grant. So all of that would be in jeopardy. Now what we're not saying is that's what would be cut. We would have to look at in the totality of our funding to see and make a recommendation to the school committee to say if these funds were to be um somehow held for a long period of time or reduced what the uh administration would recommend to the school committee to actually balance the budget. We're not saying it would be those particular 20 positions or those after school um in supplemental programs. Um we'll come back with a recommendation um when
022appropriate. >> Okay. So that's three and a half mill. I thought it was more than three and a half, but it's three and a half. >> It's three and a half. >> Three. Okay. Member Mil >> through the chair to either you um superintendent or CFO Sarah Canono. Um, can you explain the cash when we would typically see that cash from a cash flow standpoint? So through the chair, um we would typically see that cash after the grants awarded in the fall. >> So we so we would be expecting payments in September on those dollars. >> Correct. September, October. >> Okay. So there's time for lawsuits to process or whatever, but we still need a backup plan. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. U member Benenda. >> Uh great through the chair. So,
023the lawsuit that ECMP and Somerville is involved in, it's still on hold. It's still working to prevent um the those people that are needed in the Department of Ed um from from all losing their jobs. Also, recently uh received information that they're expanding the same lawsuit talking about our grant funding. So when we wrote the lawsuit, we wrote about grant funding and basically that was the basis of what we're talking about. So we were all asked to give new evidence right that um said have we heard anything about the grants and um what is there any harm yet that we have all sustained. So uh when you're saying that we're um going to join because Worcester is already uh listed in that particular lawsuit. So, are you saying that we're going to continue in that
024that same lawsuit or there's an opportunity for a separate one >> to the chair? So, I actually spoke with Democracy Forward yesterday on this and so that is what they're weighing whether there'd be a new lawsuit or would be um a change to that current lawsuit of which we've already are participating as a witness. That all needs to be worked out, but they're they are interested in Worcester's participation either way going forward. Yeah, through the chair I would think they would really want Worers's participation because some of Vanise Hampton in our small districts and um although the money is very important, the harm for Worcester would be much greater and certainly strengthen that lawsuit. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, so we're going to have a roll call on the grants. Look forward
025to your report in September. And u I'm sure it will change every day until then. But uh roll call. >> Member Alvarez. >> Yes. Member Banceria. >> Yes. >> Member Benenda. >> Yes. >> Member Guardiola. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Johnson. >> Yes. >> Member Mailman. >> Yes. >> Member McCulla. >> Yes. >> Member Roy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Petty, >> yes. Okay. We are in general business. Uh first one is uh response administration should report on the reading and math data for year end to year end instead of the beginning of the year to the year end especially for non-disabled students. Motion is to approve the file. All set. All those in favor opposited. I request that the administration look into the uh Q teams uh rotate throughout the uh district quadrant on a
026weekly basis to support principles, educators, and our scholars. Uh the motion is to approve the file. All those in favor? Opposed? So ordered. Um request to report the super uh from the administration the progress made toward the superintendent's goals for the current academic year. Discuss and reflect on the progress made. Provide feedback to inform development of the goals and objectives for the incoming um superintendent Mr. Allen. So before that the administration McCulla we're all set on that one. >> Okay. Those in favor post. Are you all set on the goals? Yep. Okay. All those in favor post. So audited request that the school committee authorized superintendent to act as its representative to execute all contracts and other legally binding documents in the name on behalf of the school committee. Okay. Is this what we all
027normally do or is this something different? >> What's that? >> The same. Okay. Okay. The motion is to approve and file. All those in favor? Opposed? So ordered to provide high weights and low weights of the state budget concerns. We This is going to be on here forever. Next four years for federal tax holdbacks of the July 10th, 2025 meeting. Yes. Wrote that one. remember mail. >> Okay, we should get Yeah, unfortunately we're gonna be discussing I think this a lot over the next hopefully only a year and a half left but those in for the administration all those in favor of post so ordered explor utilization of one meeting platform for the West school committee to be in line with the shift of the school city council to this platform. Now, we're going to
028send out the fog and uh I know just make sure before we switch anything it's operational. Member McCulla. >> Thank you. Yes. Um certainly I know that the clerk's office has been looking at wanting to utilize some updated software that makes it easier for people to search school committee agendas and items. It's something that I think we've had the desire for as a committee as well. It does seem that we are going to have some access to be able to upload agendas to the city um platform, but being able to have something that we can tangibly use in the office that would be able to give us that same type of capability, I think would be great. So, if we could certainly have um you know this looked into to not just be able to
029upload the agendas but utilize that as well. >> Okay. Member Bianer. >> Thank you. Um um so we are all familiar with this. Is it possible to receive some information uh or a presentation whichever the administration feels as though would be best? >> Mr. Mr. Allen. >> Yes. Through the chair. So we've been in conversation with the city clerk's office already. Um if this does go to fog, we can make a presentation to fog of how this um is being utilized. This is obviously new to us as well. So um as we're learning it um and ready to implement which I'm understand we could be ready to go in the next 2 to 3 months >> right >> um we can make a presentation the school committee um through fog. >> Excellent. Thank you. >>
030Thank you member mailman. >> Yeah. I just would not want us to um I appreciate the item. I don't want us to be boxed in if there's a product out there that makes more sense for schools. And so I would through the chair also make an additional motion or an add-on or friendly a motion to member McCulla's motion that we also explore um school specific um software for this same task. Thank you. >> Okay. All those in favor opposed. Refer this item to fog. All those in favor opposed. Our next meeting is August 14th, 2025 at 4 o'clock. It's August 14th. It's not even five o'clock yet. No, it is 5:00. Motion is to adjourn. Those in favor opposed. >> I never had a meal. Superintendent. I want to say madam.