WORCESTER—In advance of her annual performance review in August, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez presented her “self-evaluation and achievement of goals” report to the school committee at its meeting on Thursday.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for Mary Mullaney, who served on the committee for a number of years. Mullaney died recently.
Using slides, the superintendent went over her district, student and professional priorities for 2024-25.
She began by pointing out that the school committee is responsible for governance while the superintendent’s role is management. The “how, what, when and where” objectives will be met, she said.
“It’s a dance as we work together,” she reminded committee members.
In regard to her first district goal, involving “standards to meet” in the areas of instructional leadership, management and operation, family and community engagement and professional culture, she cited all of the following: the recruitment of, hiring and retention of a competent workforce; achieving staff diversity that mirrors what is being accomplished on the student front; and reducing grievances.
Grievances dropped from 32.7 to 12, a 20.7 decline, “as of the end of May, and there have been three since, for fifteen, which have been resolved, and none have had to go to the school committee,” she said.
Her second district goal focuses on the needs of facilities as identified in a safety audit. “Vestibules” will track a visitor as he or she comes into a building and make their way to the front office, “for security and safety,” she said. A system to monitor safety drills was mentioned, as was Operation Hero: a work-order program piloted this year and moving forward.
Monárrez’s student goal for 2024-25 places an emphasis on assessing and improving outcomes in all schools for underserved groups. She spent a considerable amount of time going over third grade reading performance. While an increase above benchmark from 32 to 43 percent is encouraging, there is room for improvement, she said, especially at Grade 4, which encompasses students whose results were negatively impacted by having to go virtual during the pandemic.
Secondary engagement in school culture and climate to create “a sense of belonging” is a goal, as is the need “to further engage our Latino group.”
She is proud that a seal of bi-literacy is being earned by “more and more youth.”
The superintendent said a new guidebook for administrators and a “data dashboard” that is interactive and customizable will play important parts in bringing “glimmers of acceleration” to fruition.
Her professional goal centers on continued implementation of the new strategic plan, which has already been approved, and monitoring “key performance indicators.”
School committee members were given a pamphlet to study prior to rendering their evaluation of the superintendent.
“August second is the date for you to give me your evaluations,” so they can be taken up at the Aug. 15 meeting of the school committee, Mayor Joseph M. Petty told members.
Monárrez started her remarks on a wave of endorsements of her work so far by members of the public, who spoke on “Item K.” Eleven citizens addressed the school committee, praising the superintendent for her efforts on racism and discrimination, mental health, preparing schools for college, anti-bullying, curbing the school-to-prison pipeline, developing trust, fostering “a new vision” for a system that had become “too insular,” being willing to listen and “tackling complaints” head-on.
“Thank you,” Monárrez said. “We always do it for the children.” She in turn praised “the hard work of my team.”
Member Maureen Binienda challenged Monárrez on the third grade reading slide, indicating it lacked important details, and Dianna Biancheria asked for specifics on the company that is being brought in to help replace tutors who were let go “and where is the money from?”
Biancheria was also told by Monárrez in response to a question she asked that the company would be working on “a one-year contract, so we can see how it goes.”
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