001Okay, well set. Okay, good evening everyone. Welcome to the Wister School Committee meeting. If you can please stand for the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem of America to the stands nationy say you see by the dawn early One so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming whose bright stripes and bright stars through the barrelless fight or the ra so gallently streaming and the Rock is red. The bombs were singing air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangle [Applause] [Music] [Applause] man for the land of the free and the home of the brave. [Music] Okay. Roll call. Member Alvarez present. Member Vancario here. Member Bernendo here. Meguardiola here. Vice Chair Johnson here. Member Mailman here. Member McCulla here. Member Roy here. Mayor Penny
002here. We have student advisory. Um Mayor Jame, introduce yourself and school you're from. Oh, you graduated. Yeah, I'm not even in Worcester public schools anymore. Mary Jarara just graduated from Worcester Tech. Congratulations. Thank you. Oh, yeah. I'm going to University of Connecticut honors in the fall. Oh, nice. Good job. Thank you. [Applause] Okay. Consent agenda. Uh, roll call. Member Alvarez. Yes. Member Biancario. Yes. Member Benendo. Yes. Member Guardiola. Yes. Vice Chair Johnson. Yes. Member Mailman. Yes. Member McCulla. Yes. Member Roy. Yes. Mayor Petty. Yes. Okay. We are on held uh held items uh 5-2 and 5-49 regarding 51 and 61 Sver Street. the emotions to the file and acception of the file. Member mailman, thank you. Um, I appreciated all the through the chair, all the reports that we got and the backup for mostly
00361. A couple of little comments about 51. Um, and I attended the um subcommittee, I forget which one it was that talked about this very same item on the city side. And um I guess George Russell said it way better than I did, which was, you know, don't we have a responsibility for due diligence on these buildings that two buildings, whether it was um the Fanning building and these Sver Street buildings um is let's say it was 20 million alto together and let's say we built a new elementary school for hundred million. Well, it might be make a lot of sense to, you know, pay more attention to the 20 million that we have. It seems like what what the district had been told that it wasn't zoned. It's not that's not really accurate. The
004buildings need to be altered to be K12. I mean, so the the things about whether what we should be talking about with these buildings versus Nativity or any other buyer is kind of separate. The only thing that was interesting about Nativity is that everybody was to we were told it can't be K12. Well, that wasn't actually true. You can and and Nativity raises whole bunches of money and they can spend a ton of money and make that happen. But I just think it's unfortunate that it's unfortunately that we can't get a better idea about 51 Sver Street, which we know the city had in use right now. Um, and I just wonder if we'll regret this sometime and maybe the Nativity School people can help us raise $10 million to go towards the Fanning Building.
005That would be great. And um, I would also ask through the chair if we could relay a message to the city and request that whatever they sell these buildings for that those dollars come back to the school side. That would be my motion. Okay, I guess. Thank you. Member Johnson. Yeah, I know. I'm sorry to the chair to to the administration. I know we have the backup. I just want to hear the the whole rationale for where we're at. Like I know we briefly talked about it, but maybe Mr. Allen could just give a whole overview for for everyone on how we got to this point and why we're kind of why this is the recommendation. Didn't we talk about that? Huh? I know I have to back up. Okay. I'm just I want to
006hear it. We're going to have a conversation right here. Yeah. Uh she I got I I'm sorry. So, Mr. Allen, through the chair, so we in the backup, we discussed that we had originally with the city purchased the properties uh at 61 and 51 Sver Street 61 was to be allocated for the WIS public schools. Um the thinking at the time and superintendent uh member Benenda was superintendent at the time that we were also discussing moving several programs out of the Fanning building, moving transitions to a different site. We actually issued an RFP, got prices back. It was a little more expensive than we thought it was going to be. So, we're going to move programs out of Fanning and the city was going to use that for redevelopment purposes. The intent was never to
007keep two buildings that were going to need repair. However, um in the meantime, the city also engaged with architects to look at the uh 61 Sver Street and provided us a detailed assessment of the condition. um noting um a couple of things that would um need to be repaired, but the biggest issue was what they found was to convert it from a B business use to an e educational use was it just pardon me, I I just want to read it. The twotory limitation for educational occupancies in sprinkle type 5 buildings would prevent changing the use of this building to educational. There is no additional increase for stories. the construction of the building would need to be improved to type four or better or the third floor of the building would need to be removed.
008So if we were to use that for K to2, we would either have to change the entire um structure of the building to steel or we'd have to take the third floor off. Most of the half of the classrooms are on the third floor. So if that was an option that it provides literally no use to us. So, for all of those reasons, um, plus the, uh, condition of the HVAC system, the work that we've looked at in terms of the status of the elevator, um, it's not worth the investment. I I've heard we could put money into the building, which we certainly can, but, we have many other buildings that also need significant repairs first before a building that we really don't have a good use for. Mr. John member Johnson. Thank you. So
009that's 61 Sver correct through the chair to administration. Can you just talk a little bit about 51 SBA? So through the chair I've only been in 51 Sver once. It was never offered to us. We've never been it was not never part of the West Public Schools offering. So that was intended for city department use. Um, only 61 Sver was ever intended for six uh 61 Sver. I can't speak to the condition of 51 Sver because that was never provided to us. Thank you. Who who purchased those? Are you all set? Oh, you said thank you. Okay, you still going? Well, I don't have anything for administration. So, to the chair, I may be with member mailman on this and Again, if it was purchased for potential use by the Worester public schools and they
010done their due diligence and at this time we can't use it and the city eventually is going to sell it to the chair who is the chair of the I would also be on board with member mailman that not maybe not all the funds but some of the funds that the city gets for that building could be utilized by the school committee to help with some of the funding for some of the buildings that we have that we are using and can use to upgrade those buildings. So I would be on board with member Milman in regards to that. That's it. How much money did the schools pay for those buildings uh when they were sold by Becker? The school department pay for those through the share. So the city is the only entity that
011can purchase buildings. We can't purchase buildings. So the city purchased those buildings and went to you guys afterwards about the idea, right? So the city actually has possession of both of those buildings. So 61 SER has never even been transferred to our custody. Right. Okay. Right. How much did you contribute? Um I think uh through the chair also with with the selling of the Fanning building that some of if I remember correctly that money some of that money was going to go to pay for some for some of the other buildings. So we we we would have some money from the selling of the Fanning because the Fanning building isn't it owned by the um is that by the city or or is it owned by us? So the city owns all of our buildings
012but it's under the purview of the school committee. Right. So the Fanning building itself is not in great shape, right? And we h we really need to find a placement for the transition program there and we need to find a placement for the Worcester alternative. So I think that's why these buildings became conversation was because we're looking for placement for those two populations. So do we have another plan going forward of what we could do for transition? I don't think they should stay there more than another year. And also Worester alternative, Mr. Ellen, through the chair. So we're working on um plans or recommendations for both of those programs going forward. The Wister alternative has one more year on their lease. Um we will have to issue a new RFP anyways. And so it's likely
013that the Wester alt will have to move at the end of next school year. Um similar, we're looking at options for transitions as well. Any questions? So the first motion is to accept into file. All those in favor? Also ordered. The next motion is to uh city that schools can capture any of the money if it's sold by the city. Roll call. Member Alvarez. Yes. Member Biania. No. Member Bernenda. I Yes. Member Guardiola. Yes. Vice Chair Johnson. Yes. Member Mailman. Yes. Member McCulla. Yes. Member Roy. Yes. Mayor Penny. Yes. Okay. Use some more money. Okay. Public comment. We are on u public comment. Anybody may speak for two minutes. Did your name see your residence and the item number you want to speak about? I certainly uh Fred Nathan Worcester um 5- uh 53 uh
014the compass uh senior obviously there are a lot of kids in Worcester. Not all of them have parents. Obviously, there's a large chunk of kids that uh have the foster parents. So, whatever this group can do for them, that's good. Um 5-55. um given everything that's out there, uh you need to make sure that the kids don't forget how to read because right now all around the country there are kids who have graduated that can't seem to read well and and having kids go to go to summer school or or any kind of reading program, you know, whatever you want to call it, if you want to call it summer school, you want to call it reading program, whatever you want to call it. And as for the Sver Street properties, given the fact that
015they could be facing some cuts in funding, the city should just sell these properties off, sell the Fanning property off, and build something called housing. Go ahead. Here's your name, uh, city of residence and the item number. All right. Oh, I don't. Okay. Budget. Oh, you do have an item on. Yeah. Um, hello. Uh, my name is Jake Padua. I am a current sophomore at University Park Campus School. I currently reside at 46 Richard Street. Do I like this? Is this good? Yeah. Okay. Uh, let me restart. Hello. Uh, my name is Jake Padua. I am a current sophomore at University Park Campus School. I currently reside at 46 Richard Street. Today I am here to discuss the financial year 26 budget and the inflation cost and budget cuts to facility maintenance. With the proposed
016budget for 2026, we see an increase of 33.8 billion. However, a large portion of this increase is used to cover inflationary costs. Even with the extra funds from the Student Opportunity Act, the budget is still very tight. I question the sustainability of the budget if inflation were to increase and if the inflation costs continue to rise, what is the school board plan to do to cover these costs? Um, and is it sustainable to continue to increase the budget every year as we see these costs go up? Um, shifting gears, I know there's been minor budget cuts to facility maintenance and things like electricity and natural gas. From the facilities department, facility maintenance saw a reduction of $770,645 or just about 8%. Although these cuts are minor, I don't see a reason for them. Part particularly
017because of my experience as a university part campus school student. I have had to sit in hot classrooms because they installed AC units do not work properly with outdated electrical systems that cannot support them. Temperature control has been an issue at my school. It is uncomfortable and distracting. Our building is considerably older and more rundown compared to other schools. For example, our heaters are quite old-fashioned and pose a safety hazard not only to me but other students and staff. In the winter, the first floor can become freezing compared to other floors, and during the summer, rooms become uncomfortably hot. It is very distracting. I do not understand why funding for maintenance is being reduced while my school still struggles with these issues. Thank you for your time. Thank you. [Applause] Boy, I hate to follow
018up after students because they're amazing. Um, my name is Kirsten Frasier and I'm a resident of Worcester. I'm also an educator within the Worcester public schools. I'm here to speak in support of GB 520, I believe it is. It's the uh, yes, the safe schools program. I'd al what I want to say is that I am very much in favor of the schools implementing this training. I know that in the response from administration it says that there will be a stakeholder group ad created to administer to create training material. Please do not forget to include the educators in that particularly the queer educators. We need to have a voice in the instructions that are given to our co to our co-workers and our colleagues because we are the ones who are experiencing this. We know
019what it is like to be a part of that queer community. So just please make sure that we are a part of that program. Also wanted to speak briefly on the item that had been sent to finance operations and government regarding the genderneutral bathrooms at North. I understand that it's a plumbing code issue that they cannot happen. However, there needs to be something established within the schools that there are easily accessible genderneutral bathrooms in all buildings. They cannot just be in the nurse's office where somebody has to get special permission to go. A lot of times the nur nurse's office is busy or they're having private things happening. There's a lot of the privacy issues there. Plus, it also like at least at North if you're coming from the fourth floor, that ends up wasting
020half of your class period just to go to the bathroom. And so, we really need to make sure that we can create accessible genderneutral bathrooms, single-use bathrooms on each floor. There are spaces available for um that can be used. We just need to make sure that they are accessible in all buildings. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, my name is Heather Stanick. I'm a resident of Worcester. Um, I would like to speak on GB520 and just wholeheartedly is uh say that I support having this uh professional development instituted in the schools. I'd also like to speak on GB5-56. Um, and hope that you all support Brian Allen as the next superintendent, although Dr. Manares will be greatly missed. Um and I would like to speak on really picky thing on GB 512. Um you all are
021the school committee and you are the governing board of all of the schools in Worcester. So when we use words like autistic programs, we are doing a disservice to our scholars. Can we please use inclusive person first language such as programs for scholars with autism because that's how it works. They are not defined only by their their special education needs. Um and also can we give each other the respect of calling our colleagues by their name? It has been three years that she has been here. Say her name right. Okay. So, uh, anybody else? What's that? Okay. So, we're going to move on. We have petitions. Um, you want to hold this to the next meeting? Oh, okay. Say Forest Grove uh echo boost. Okay. So, petition 5-4, Forest Grove Echo Boost Team um from
022three four five students to consider a proposal of the Forest Grove Middle School for Echo Boost Team to install solar panels at Forest Grove Middle School to reduce our carbon footprint based on a petition that received 282 signatures. So, we referred that to Fog. The students couldn't make it tonight. So we'll send that. He wrote there's some supporting documentation. So send that to uh fog. All those in favor post awarded. Okay. No report of superintendent. We report to the standing committee TLSS. So the motion will be to approve to file. Member Guardiola. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh excuse me. On May 8th, 2025, the uh standing committee on teaching, learning, and student success met. Uh we had two items on the agenda. GB2-292, a request that the administration explore offerings drivers offering drivers ed utilizing
023local driving schools at the high school level and GB5-15 to request for the administration to provide the criteria that warrants a 911 and the steps attempted prior to making the decisions. Additionally to provide the current plan of action to meet the needs of the students after they have experienced the behavior uh behavior episode and or have been discharged. Uh both mo both uh items were approved and filed. The first was specifically about driver's ed. We got a report from the administration regarding the the plan uh with uh Central Mass uh safety council to uh award some students uh some scholarships to be able to take the uh the class and help them get their driver's license, specifically those in the chapter 74 programs in order for them to be able to get to and from
024uh their co-ops that they are doing with their chapter 74 uh program. Again, approved and filed. The second was uh specifically about the 911 calls in the schools. We got a report from the administration uh with the steps that are taken and some of the numbers and figures that we had uh that were presented to us regarding the types of calls that we received. So that again was also approved and filed Mr. Mr. Mayor. So the motion on these two would be to approve the file. All those in favor opposit meeting on May 19th 2025. We have several items here. Member McCulla. Thank you. And the items and their uh backup are as they read. Other than if I could ask on item GB5-39, which was approved to consider approval of calendar changes for the
0252526 school year, um which were approved, I'm asking that um an additional motion be made that on the school calendars, in addition to saying the date of u the prek open house date, we note that that's a non-school day, I believe, for the prek and kindergarten students. So that is clearly listed on the calendar. Okay. So let's take these collectively. Motion is to approve the file. All those in favor post. So audit. We have n uh we have a grant and other finance items. Um we'll do a roll call. 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. Response from administration. Um made a motion to report the student uh student superintendent enrollment at
026the Worester Technical High School to explain why it was not at the capacity. Um approval file. You want to speak? Yes. No. Member mailman. Just a quick comment. Um thank you for the I understand the report. Um, I would just advocate that we get the city's um, technology department out of the basement and maybe we could get our population up as well there. Thank you. Okay, approve. Can I make that a motion, Mr. Mayor, that we um remind the city that we need the space that they are using in the technical high school, the uh, what do they call the IT department I guess for the city. and remind me that we're paying for self burn coat. I mean the already actually we're all paying for those not we're the ones pay. Okay. So we'll
027take a roll call on the motion together. Thank you. All those in favor opposed. So audit member Benenda. I think that the original agreement was with Wester Tech was that 1600 students uh would be what the number was at the time. And so I think that's been the challenge really is to get that that that number up. And also the agreement was that the school would be used um 18 hours a day. So So I don't I think that's a strong I just mention it because it's a strong agreement of why the school was built and it was promised to the citizens of Worcester. So, it seems as though we should find a way to make sure that we meet that agreement for the for the number of students that we can accept, right? And
028and find room for and um then also the the use of the building more for evening and it's it's getting back to that point. But I I think those those are important promises to keep. So, member Milman, I agree. Absolutely. I think we've kind of gotten there by having the innovative pathway program in the afternoon and we do have night school, although we haven't had a report on night school all year on nightife. So, um, but I think that should be the goal as well, but we're not going to get anywhere until we move the city's IT department. Thank you. There's plans for that. There's plans for that. What year? I said retire and not [Laughter] die. Okay. Okay. Now we're up on 520. Um this is member Makoa. He's deferring the the safe schools
029program of LGBTQ students at part of the U options to be shared in the 2725 meeting. No, no, thank you for the backup. I appreciate it and certainly supportive of the backup as well as the recommendation for including um stakeholders in the training and conversations. Thank you. Okay. So um all those in favor also ordered. Next response to administration member Benender to receive information on the child fine program that includes the number of initial meetings by region and the level needed for inclusion partial and subsparate. All set okay the file those in favor post a ordered. Next item 5-40 to provide a report with the breakdown of after school and before school budget allocations by segment. Uh please include all enrichment programs including sports. Most is to refer to the budget member mailman and just
030confirming that that means we'll get this report for our next budget meeting on May 18th or whatever the date is. Okay. Yep. June 18th. Yep. June, sorry, June 18th. Thank you. Okay. Okay. All those in favor opposed. Next up, member Makulla. This regard the compass program. Member Makulla. As it reads. Okay. Refer to TLSS. All those in favor? Opposed? So ordered. Next item is the from the administration request the superintendent or his designate be granted the annual authorization to make the final year end transfers necessary to balance surplus and deficit accounts on the fiscal year ending June 30th 2025. Motion is to approve and to file member Benenda. I just have a quick question on on that. So on what happens if we weren't able to do some of the work. So for example, Chandler
031L, there was some money put in for a you know those I call them trailers, but I'm sure they have another name for a brand new one. And I know that work was done in the trailers, but I know that a lot we have like many schools like Lincoln Street, um Berno Prep, there's a lot of those trailers that I think I remember last year we were discussing budget that we were going to fix or buy new ones and that I think we fixed up a little bit the one at Chandler but money was appropriated for that. So we didn't do that. So what happened what happened to the funding and what's the plan to actually fix those because that's still an issue. Mr. Allen through the chair. So those repairs would be through the
032capital budget which is not a part of this item. This is just for the operating budget so we can close out the fiscal year. um we fully recognize uh the work that or replacement needed that all of those module units those that's clearly still a priority of the district. So we we'll have a plan down the road. We had to reallocate some of those funds for other emergency projects immediately. So we're just doing repairs versus replacement at this point in time. Okay. Motion to approve and to file. Those in favor opposit next is the summer reading month. Member Roy set motion is to approve and as it reads motions to approve in the file. All those in favor opposed. Next one's to uh vote to execute the contract for appointment between the W school committee
033and Brian E. Allen business superintendent of schools. We did meet in executive session and uh we have an agreement just some of the highlights. just kept pretty much this contract he had now and uh some additions. So uh this is going to be a three-year contract beginning July 1st 2025 through June 30th 2028. So the vote would be defective July 1st 2525 for a salary would be 292,000 for July 1st 2026 will be 300,700 and July 1st 20 uh 20 2027 will be 309783 has the same termination um agreement uh residency requirement during any period of extension of this contract after June 30th 2028 be required to move into Worcester has a vehicle allowance of $600 dollars oped contributions uh the same terms as may be required by future for all nonrepresented employees of the
034city. Uh PTO days would be five encouraged to engage in professional growth activities and joint uh joint professional development activities uh with the school committee and that uh pretty much is it clearly what we had in the existing contract. So the motion will be to vote is to approve this. So uh roll call. Member Alvarez. Yes. Member Biancia. Yes. Member Bernenda. Yes. Member Guardiola. Yes. Vice Chair Johnson. Yes. Member Mailman. Yes. Member McCulla. Yes. Member Roy. Yes. Mayor Penny. Yes. Okay. [Applause] to the chair. Um, thank you. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the school committee for this tremendous honor in trust that you placed in me. I fully recognize the responsibilities that comes with serving as superintendent of the West Public Schools. And I'm ready both professionally and personally to meet the
035moment. And as I have done in each role that I've had over the last three decades in Worcester with determination, humility, and unwavering commitment throughout my career, I've had the distinct privilege of working alongside five superintendents and two interim superintendents. Each of them have shaped my understanding of leadership, and the progress we are building today stands on the foundation of their legacies. I carry those with me as I step into the new role. Over the past month, I've been deeply moved by the outpouring of encouragement and support from caregivers, community members, educators, and staff. These past 30 days, uh, though a whirlwind, um, have been among the most meaningful of my three decades with the West Public Schools. From community events to school visits, parent meetings to student advisory sessions, every interaction has reaffirmed what
036I've always believed. Our greatest strength lies in our people, our students, our families, our educators, and our community partners. Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue these conversations and deepen our connections. The strategic plan adopted by the district has given us a clear and ambitious roadmap. Thanks to thoughtful investments, including use of student opportunity act funds and the careful allocation of resources, we have positioned uh for continued progress. Our theme for the upcoming school year is vision to action. A call to turn our shared aspirations into tangible lasting change. Next year, we will sharpen our focus on tier one instruction that helps drive meaningful improvements in student learning. These are essential steps towards ensuring every child in Worcester has the opportunity to succeed. I believe strongly that the collaboration between the administration and school committee will
037be key to realizing this vision. One of the centers that will be in success of our students and staff is in every decision we make. We also recognize the challenges ahead, the continued academic recovery in a post-pandemic world, growing uncertainty at the federal level and approaching conclusion of the student opportunity act phasin. These are real but not insurmountable obstacles and we will face them head on together. Our work will remain grounded in the core values that define us. Belonging, respect, inclusivity, collaboration, and equity. These are not just words. They are the principles that guide our actions and shape our culture. While I'm deeply honored and humbled to serve as a superintendent in the very district where I grew up and graduated, the next three years are not about me. It's about us. The collective effort
038to strengthen teaching and learning by supporting the people that make it possible. Our classroom teachers, our counselors, school leaders, and support staff. I look forward to working alongside the exceptional district leadership team, our Q teams, and all of our schools and departments to ensure that they have the tools and supports they need to help students thrive. Together, uh let's move from vision to action and build the future our students deserve. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. around and looking forward to working with you over the next three years. So enjoy your last 25 days. Okay. Um Okay. So we are Oh, we should do a reconsideration on this. So the first motion is to suspend the rules. Then we'll do the recon reconsideration. The second uh the first motion is to suspend the rules. Roll call.
039Member Alvarez. Yes. Member Biancia. Yes. Member Benenda. Yes. Member Guardiola. Yes. Yes. Vice Chair Johnson. Yes. Member Mailman. Yes. Member McCulla. Yes. Member Roy. Yes. Mayor Petty. Yes. Now the motion is for reconsideration. Roll call. Member Alvarez. No. Member Vancaria. No. Member Bernanda. No. Member Guardiola. No. Vice Chair Johnson. No. Member Mailman. No. Member McCulla? No. Member Roy? No. Mayor Penny? No. Okay. Next item is 5-57. consider approval of the Wister public schools fiscical year 26 budget. So we'll hold that to uh the next meeting. Okay. Then uh next is response to the administration um to review during budget monies that are set aside for equipment and uniforms for middle school sports. These are all budget items, right? Are we just going to keep those? Okay. So these three we'll just keep for budget. Okay.
040They're all for budget. Oh, these are all budget items. Yes. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, hold these for the budget. We'll amend uh uh 5-12 to include scholars with autism. That's okay. So, let's say those um so as amended. So, we'll hold these all we'll hold these up. What's our next item? Is that it? It's all budget, right? Okay. That brings us to the end of the meeting. Oh, love it. Okay. We have the uh what's at the ballpark this weekend? We have something for kids, right? Wox the Wox has the Wox scholars will be at the uh on Saturday uh if people are interested in going and um so and this is the fourth year. So the kids who started the program four years ago will be graduating um this year. So so they raised
041must be 200,000 then right? But anyways want to thank the Wox for that motion to adjourn. All those in favor oppos. So I