WORCESTER — A Worcester School Committee meeting that started on a high note Thursday with a stirring rendition of the national anthem by student Rita Diaz turned negative for a moment when some members of the public spoke against renaming the road at North High School for Robert Pezzella.
Pezzella is the recently retired safety director for the district. He is also a former student, a co-founder of the North High School Alumni organization and “a steadfast activist on many successful local initiatives and programs” that have benefitted the city, according to the item submitted by committee member Dianna Biancheria.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Roberto Diaz of Worcester Interfaith expressed concern, saying the naming of streets should not be restricted to “powerful white men.”
Diaz advocated for a pause in the promotion of Pezzella’s name and asked the committee to consider “a wider range of groups” from which an honoree could be chosen.
After assurances to member Susan B. Mailman from vice chairman Jermaine Johnson that the recommendation would be thoroughly reviewed, it was sent to administration by unanimous vote.
Johnson sat in for Mayor Joseph M. Petty to chair the meeting.
In other business…
– Key takeaways In Part II of Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez’s “student academic achievement” report showed both good and concerning news based on data provided by DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and STAR assessment of student performance.
Data from the beginning of the school year in Grades K-9, compared to last school year, showed a mix of increased percentages, stable numbers and in some instances decreases.
Marie Morse, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said in summation that WPS has “a robust and strong instructional framework” with a solid support apparatus to ensure positive outcomes. Reading data gains were “exciting,” she said, while noting that Latino/Hispanic, EL and Students with Disabilities (SWD) results would remain a focus.
Monárrez said “the goals the school committee set are the correct ones.” She recognized a need to “improve results for Latino youth, EL and SWD. More work needs to be done but we have seen some significant jumps year to year. About a 1% increase doesn’t sound like a lot but it is a really good increase. I’m pleased but not satisfied. Someone said ‘good is the enemy of great.’ We want great.”
Committee member Maureen Binienda said, however, that “we need more than a 1 to 2% increase when we are that far behind” in some of the measurements, particularly in the case of “low special-ed scores.”
– Also, a student advisory committee suggestion of a “student wellness form” that scholars experiencing mental stress could submit “discreetly” received a warm response. So, too, did a request for “more community events” to establish better communications within the system.
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
