BROCKTON SCHOOLS UPDATE

The Brockton School Committee on August 11, 2020, chaired by myself, voted unanimously to resume for the first term of Fall 2020. This decision came after Brockton’s Medical Consultant Dr. Richard Herman presented factual data metric evidence that shows Brockton’s COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Dr. Herman continues to update the City on a daily basis of COVID-19 statistics. Also, the School Department has ensured that each child without a laptop has received one to use during remote learning. Additionally, I have advocated for more wifi throughout the City of Brockton. I am working with Superintendent Michael Thomas on a regular basis to address this. For the duration of the remote learning period, there will be a dedicated IT staff during school hours. The number to reach the IT Department is 508-468-0973 and the email is parenthd@bpsma.org. However the School Committee and I will revisit the issue of remote learning after the first semester. School Committee meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 7 pm.

BOARD OF HEALTH UPDATE

I continue to stay in daily constant communication with Brockton's new Executive Health Officer for the Board of Health Dr. Eno Mondesir and the City's medical consultant Dr. Richard Herman for updates about the status of COVID-19. We must continue to follow the CDC guidelines. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts launched the Stop the Spread campaign within Brockton to increase testing options. Testing is free and you do not need to have any signs or symptoms. You can stop by any of these testing sites. For any additional questions please feel free to call the Mayor’s Office (508) 580-7123. On August 22nd, I issued a Citywide curfew from 11 PM till 5 AM until further notice.

SUMMER INTERNS

In the Summer of 2020, the City was chosen to pilot a new program out of Harvard University and Boston Consulting Group called Civitas that matches skilled volunteers to high-impact projects in local governments. Two Harvard University students worked virtually with my office on researching process mapping helping citizens of Brockton navigate different departments and processes in City Hall, such as obtaining building permits and improving seeclickfix (the website available to Brocktonians to report issues in their neighborhoods.) The School Department also worked with a student on preparing for virtual learning.

In addition, my office also had a Harvard Kennedy School student Mr. Morgan Pratt work remotely to launch my initiative on making processes in the City of Brockton more modern and more efficient. This means automating tasks, processes, and forms where possible, bringing files online, and reorganizing existing information to make it more accessible for the residents and people who work in Brockton. Mr. Pratt set up the Information Technology (IT) Task Force and its subgroups. The IT Task Force looked into ways to improve the technology use within the department within City Hall, including by surveying City employees.
These projects will all continue into the Fall, including by working with more Harvard Kennedy Students from Professor Mark Fagan’s operational management class.

NEW HIRES

I am pleased to announce that I hired two professionals to my staff. Mr. Destiny Ihenacho and Ms. Danielle Littmann.

Ms. Littmann joined my office in July 2020 as the Policy/Intergovernmental Affairs Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Legal Studies and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. While completing her Master’s degree, she worked with the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration on transportation and aging policy. Ms. Littman has also worked with the Delaware General Assembly conducting research for state legislation.

Mr. Ihenacho joined the Mayor’s Office in August 2020 as the Constituent Services Liaison. He grew up in Brockton, MA and holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Bridgewater State University and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Suffolk University. Mr. Ihenacho's duties include responding to constituents for assistance and resolving issues through intervention, facilitation, and creative problem-solving. Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Mr. Ihenacho worked as a Business Development Representative in Washington DC at a national nonprofit. Mr. Ihenacho has also worked at the Massachusetts State House and in the President’s Office at Bridgewater State University.

HONORING 9/11

On Friday 9/11/2020, we honored our fallen heroes that perished on September 11, 2001. I had the honor and privilege of hosting United States Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Michal D. Brady, and Plymouth County Commissioner Gregory Hanley. We will never forget the service that our first responders, firefighters and the police, and the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and sisters and daughters lost that day. Again, we remain grateful and will continue to honor our heroes.