WORCESTER—Using the superintendent’s statement that Human Resources is “the heart of the district,” Dr. Yeu Kue, who is the assistant superintendent for personnel, equity and engagement, and her team told the Worcester School Committee that the department has been revamped, is performing at a high level of proficiency, and is looking to do even better in the future.
Kue and her team’s presentation on Thursday was called “HR: Making Connections.” During a long and detailed report, the team highlighted the department’s principal aims as: recruiting staff that reflects the student body; finding ways to keep the “great talent” the system attracts; and providing opportunities for students to continue their growth.
“We are putting human back in HR,” Kue said.
Relationship building with the district’s unions is one example of a positive shift in direction that has taken place, Kue said. Grievances have gone from an average of 32.7 to just 12 this year, a 64 percent difference.
“There has been no arbitration or UPLs [Unfair Labor Practice] filings,” she said. “I can’t tell you how amazing that feels.”
Melissa Verdier, president of the Education Association of Worcester (EAW), agreed.
Eliminating UPLs represents “a cost savings for the district and the EAW,” Verdier said. “That’s a really big deal.” The collaboration between the district and the union “has been excellent,” she added. “HR is truly a human experience now.”
Among the aims that have been identified as targets by HR are diversification of the workforce, improving the pulse check obtained in a yearly staff survey, retention of new staff, maintaining accurate data, and “supporting our leaders.”
Onboarding and new teacher orientation are two areas of concentration, Laura Cahill from the team said. Anastasia Kopellas testified that onboarding was helpful to her.
Streamlining customer service is a strong focus of the HR team.
In 2023, Kue’s team said, the midyear pulse check staff survey resulted in 733 responses with a satisfaction score of 3.65 out of 5. This year that number more than doubled to 1,473 and the grade rose to 3.92 out of 5.
Several voices from the field including students, a principal, and a para educator praised the work HR is doing. Mention was made of a kitchen worker who contacted HR before heading to her job early in the morning to notify the district of a change of address. She received immediate verification that her information had been updated.
School Committee members were generally pleased with the presentation.
Maureen Binienda said cuts being recommended as part of an effort to address a $22 million FY2025 budget deficit will make HR’s role all that much more important. Binienda remembered Proposition 2 ½ as being “a very traumatic time” for the district. She also said she has gotten calls about the prospective elimination of the system’s leadership program operated under a three-year-old contract with Worcester State University, which will affect a handful of teachers. Kue replied that she is personally explaining the situation to the five teachers impacted.
Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez pointed out that the school committee will have a chance to review all of the suggested reductions and to make changes.
On another note, Andrew Willis from Burncoat High School asked during the public petition portion of the meeting for a status update on a gender support plan that is in the works. Willis stressed the importance of moving the plan along to give affected students “their own identity” and the pronouns by which they wish to be recognized.
The petition was referred to the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
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