Dear Dr. Boone,

We, the undersigned, are concerned parents and residents who urge your immediate action to address the worsening safety of our schools. If we can not create a safe learning environment for our children, what hope is there that we educate them there? We feel the lack of movement and transparency towards a comprehensive district wide, school by school safety plan is unacceptable and requires your immediate attention and action. Specifically we urge:

1. Conduct the Worcester Public Schools Safety Audit. Given all the incidents at the end of last school and those to begin this new one, it is simply unconscionable that the audit has not been completed and unfathomable that we failed to even put out a Request for Proposal yet
2. School by School Comprehensive Safety Plans. Work needs to begin now to develop individual school safety plans avoiding cookie cutter, one size fits all approaches. Each school in our City is unique and the safety plans should reflect that and should include the expertise and recommendations of principals, teachers, parents, neighborhood associations and students of age, along with Central Administration, Police, Fire and District Attorney’s office.
3. Seek and value Public Input. No less than 4 public meetings, one for each quadrant, should be help where you lay out these plans and allow the public to listen, air concerns, and offer feedback before a plan is finalized. Allowing us a voice in protecting our children will certainly lead to better outcomes.

We urge your immediate action on these items and thank you for your time and attention.

Nicola J D'Andrea

WPS Parent and Candidate for Worcester School Committee.