CITY OF WORCESTER | Education Committee Meeting | Thursday, April 29, 2021 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:09 P.M. | Adjourned: 8:11 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Councilor Gary Rosen |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Morris A Bergman
Vice Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E King
Councilor Gary Rosen | | | | | Also: | School Committee Member John Foley
School Committee Member Molly McCullough
School Committee Member Dianna Biancheria
School Committee Member Tracy O’Connell Novick
Superintendent of WPS Maureen Binienda
Deputy Superintendent of WPS Susan O’Neil
Chief Financial Officer of WPS Brian Allen
Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee Helen Friel
Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library Jason Homer
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Education hereby approves the minutes of the Education Committee meeting on October 8, 2020. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 157 255 8935) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=e29a35623219e0c1d0445a3135bd9931e | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the following speakers:
1. Kimberly Rodgers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4b
2. David Bunker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4b
3. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #4b and #4c
4. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4b
5. Paula Quinn, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4b | |
| 3. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a change in fines for Worcester residents at the Worcester Public Library.
# 9.22A CM August 11, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library, who discussed the implementation of a fine-free Worcester Public Library program, as well as increases in youth program services as a result of such a program.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor King and Councilor Rosen, who both spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to place the item on file. Placed on file on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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| | | 4a. | Order of Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Matthew E. Wally and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Education hold a public hearing to discuss how the city can better meet the high demand of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses.
# 12e CC December 1, 2020 | Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the Superintendent of Public Schools, who discussed needs associated with broadband communication and internet services, which could aid in ESOL courses.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor King, who discussed the successes and barriers in regard to COVID learning with English Language Learners with the Superintendent of Public Schools.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed potential successes around ESOL classes.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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| | | 4b. | Order of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Council Standing Committee on Education meet jointly with the appropriate Standing Committee of the School Committee to assess and review matters pertaining to improving the Student to Social Worker Ratios to be in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) standards of 250 students to every 1 School Social Worker or Adjustment Counselor, and to discuss the efficacy of School Clinicians and School Resource Officers. Said review should be completed prior to budget planning.
# 9d CC June 23, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized Councilor King, who discussed the focuses around social and emotional learning in the Worcester Public Schools, how to increase the number of social workers and adjustment counselors in schools, the diversity of the social worker and adjustment counselor staff and how Worcester Public Schools reviews the efficacy of School Resource Officers with the Superintendent of Public Schools.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then recognized Councilor King, who moved to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.
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| | | 4c. | Order of Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request City Council’s Standing Committee on Education recommend ways in which the city side of government, our local colleges and non-profit agencies, among others, can promote and encourage civic engagement and education for city youth.
# 8b CC January 28, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and discussed recently added requirements relative to civic engagement for Worcester Public School students, as well as mock-City Council meetings with the Superintendent of Public Schools.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor King, who discussed the importance of civics being discussed within Worcester Public Schools.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed potential projects that could begin relative to civic engagement.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.
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