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Evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone – 2012
By John F. Monfredo
Dr. Boone stated, “I believe that all children can learn and all have a right to a high quality
education. Children will meet whatever bar we set for them…if we set the bar of high
expectations, they will rise to the occasion. Our role as adults is to ensure that we provide
these high quality opportunities for students and that we support their attempts to be
successful.”
Dr. Boone has demonstrated that philosophy during her three years in Worcester. Under her
watch we have seen a reduction in the dropout rate, substantial growth in the number of
students taking AP courses with no loss in the percentage of students with passing grades, level
4 schools have made significant improvements, the graduation rate has increased and areas of
the curriculum including STEM opportunities have been improved.
This leads into Dr. Boone’s first goal: Student Academic Achievement – strategies resulting in
high levels of student achievement. Dr. Boone listed a number of areas of accomplishments
including the key roles stakeholders have had in the decision making under the leadership role
of the Curriculum Liaison. There has been work on the scope and sequence of curriculum arts
and the adoption of new graduation requirements as we move to align with the MASS Core.
Work on the state’s innovation model for our schools has been a success with Worcester
leading the state in the number of innovation school models…a total of eight schools. To that
end Governor Deval Patrick, in a visit to our City, acknowledged, “Worcester has long been a
leader in education reform and I’m confident these schools will build on the good work that is
already done across the district.” Work in its first year has successfully moved forward and this
year the school committee has approved additional innovation model schools.
Other highlights in the area of academic achievement include the expansion of Doherty High’s
Engineering Academy, the implementation of Worcester East Middle’s and Worcester Technical
High School Innovation School Plan for STEM instruction, the successful opening of the new
North High, and the implementation of a teacher evaluation system for level 4 schools. Virtual
courses at the high school level have continued to expand and have proven to be most
successful. Last year 381 students received the State’s John and Abigail Adams Scholarships in
addition to hundreds of other students receiving private scholarships to higher education.
Dr. Boone has continued to give small class size on the elementary level a high priority and it
has been one of the many factors in raising our MCAS scores. It’s is also important to note that
Dr. Boone made a great appointment three years ago in selecting Dr. Jeff Mulqueen as the
Chief Academic Officer for he has been instrumental, under her guidance, in moving our school
system forward. We live in an age of accountability, (good or bad) with an eye on “high stake”

testing. Every department and every school must have an accountability plan that is designed
to be monitored regularly. This also includes professional development focus areas.
Our school system has a strong professional development program and many of the courses
are based on that data. Dr. Boone is quick to point out that the best opportunity for improving
student achievement is quality teachers and providing quality professional development is
crucial in ensuring that excellence of teaching continues.
Partnerships with area colleges continue to flourish with the major benefactors being our
students. Next year, I would like to see us expand our dual enrollment program with our
college partners, consider ways of identifying and serving our gifted students and consider
exploring the possibility of an International Baccalaureate program.
I would also like to see our system continue to improve in the teaching of writing for as Dr.
Douglas Reeves has stated writing is a “power strategy” for student achievement. A more
consistent approach across the school system in the teaching of writing needs to take place. As
a district we must also work on making sure our students are reading on grade level by the end
of grade three. It all starts with strong early learning programs and if we are to narrow the
achievement gap we must have a plan in place. I strongly recommend come next year that this
be given the highest academic priority.
Goal two… welcoming, safe, and secure schools – strategies to develop and maintain
welcoming, safe and secure schools… As a system we take very seriously the importance of
having schools that are safe and orderly. There is a protocol in place that addresses disruption
in our schools and we have an effective alternative education program for those students who
are unable to be educated in the main stream. In addition we have a strong policy that
supports safety in our schools. We have a well developed anti-­‐bullying program and
administration has put forth a strong comprehensive plan, a whole school approach with
training for all staff members continuing annually. Parents have been given a copy of the policy
and the schools have had meetings on bullying.
The district has continued to add security measures at many of our schools including cameras
and has worked closely with the Worcester Police Department gang unit to develop other
preventative measures.
In the near future, I would like to recommend that we consider security cameras similar to what
we have done at the Alternative site on Waverly Street at other schools in our district.
The district continues to reach out to parents in need of service with our wraparound
coordinators at seven of our schools. Their job is to guide teachers and principals in support of
high-­‐quality and learning. These efforts are coordinated by the Project Manager of the district
Wraparound Zone (WAZ). Our district participates in the state network of WAZ programs
sharing and learning best practices.

As part of the welcoming and secure schools, Dr. Boone has shown that she knows the
importance of reaching out to parents. On several occasions she has stated, “Our goal is to
make sure that we become the school of choice.” She has continued to work closely with the
CCPAC and with the Worcester Education Collaborative to establish “The Worcester Family
Academy.” The Family Academy offered a series of parent seminars and workshops hosted by
organizations in our city. She has worked with the schools to maintain an inviting and
welcoming atmosphere, along with working closely with parents to gain their trust and to show
that the Worcester Public Schools are truly partners with them. Our website continues to
improve and parents are able to access much needed information.
Dr. Boone knows the importance of reaching out to include the community as stakeholders in
our quest to provide the best education possible for our students. Monthly she meets with the
United Way Board, Pioneering Healthier Communities, UMMHC Community Benefits, Central
Mass Workforce Investment Board, Worcester Juvenile Delinquent Alternative Initiative, and
the Worcester Educational Collaborative Business Roundtable.
In addition she also meets every other month with the Worcester Pipeline Collaborative
Executive Committee, Worcester Public Library Foundation Board, Governor’s Stem Advisory
Council, Boys and Girls Club AGLOW Meeting, Worcester Education Collaborative Board,
Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Juvenile Delinquent Alternative Initiative
Governance Team. Thus, in three short years she has done a remarkable job in reaching out to
the community. She has also made the time to visit the school in our system.
Another group that merits Dr. Boone’s attention next year is our state legislators. There needs
to be to a scheduled meeting time every other month to engage in dialogue in with our state
delegation and to advise them on the needs for our system and to perhaps help generate
legislation to be brought back to Boston.
Goal Three…Communication to Share and Promote Practices and Results – strategies to
transfer information of effective practices and needs among all stakeholders.
Dr. Boone has done a good job in communicating with the school committee and has been
willing to meet with individuals when a question or a need arises. She has kept us updated on
emergency issues or when a crisis has occurred in the school system.
As I suggested two years ago, Dr. Boone has continued with her State of the School annual
message and in October that message set the tone for the school year. City and school officials
were invited as were city agencies and the public. The address was supported by the public and
Dr. Boone articulated the past year’s successes and challenges. She was not shy about
requesting that the city fund the Worcester Public Schools beyond the required minimum to
support expanded course offerings, technology, and other areas of the curriculum.

An area that needs improvement for next year is the ability to market our schools. I would
suggest that a committee be formed during the summer months to address this issue. We need
to consider the making of a video to highlight our schools, meeting with real estate brokers and
having a point person for the system should be part of the committee’s task.
Goal Four – Fiscal and Operations Management…
High marks are given to administration for their capital improvement plan as they work
collaboratively with the City Council and the City Manager. In addition we recently heard to
good news from the MSBA about the replacement of Nelson Place School and the five
accelerated repair projects in our school system.
Dealing with a zero base budget, Dr. Boone along with her Chief Financial Officer Brian Allen
have been forward thinking in dealing with the priorities of our system and have kept our
school solvent.
The monitoring of the cleanliness of schools has continued and we now find that our schools
are in much better shape. This year a greater focus on expectations for building cleanliness,
general maintenance, and quality controls has been initiated with success.
A good deal of credit goes to Dr. Boone for pushing the envelope in an attempt to secure
additional funding from the city. Now that we have the communication door open let us
continue with the conversation for our city cannot continue to be in the bottom one percent in
giving above the foundation budget. We need to make sure that education is a priority in this
community.
I would suggest that we begin to address the issue of funding early on and deal with the issue of
Medicaid reimbursement and a 50-­‐50 split on new moneys.
Another funding source to consider for next year would be the expansion of school choice.
In summary, Dr. Boone and her staff continue to move our school system forward and our
school district continues to have the reputation as one of the best urban systems in
Massachusetts. However, the schools cannot do the job alone. We need additional support
from our elected officials and our community partners. It has to be a team approach with
everyone in collaboration. We need to share ideas, think out of the box, and continue to focus
on the needs of our children and their families. I commend Dr. Boone for her perseverance and
diligence as she continues to do an exceptional job as the educational leader in Worcester.
Quoting Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”