School Committee

AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 1 ​ ​ ​ CLERK OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 20 IRVING STREET WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01609 The School Committee will hold an in-person meeting with a virtual option*: on:​ Thursday, January 22, 2026 At:​ 5:00 p.m., Executive Session; 5:30 p.m. Open Session ​ Esther Howland Chamber, Worcester City Hall or virtually with link below https://worcesterschools.zoom.us/j/82746440670?pwd=dmp4TnIxYThBd nhkZWQ1bm1hMjFFZz09 Also accessible by telephone, to dial in call: +1 301-715-8592 or +1 305-224-1968; Webinar ID: 827 4644 0670 *This meeting/hearing of the Worcester School Committee will be held in-person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and /or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. ORDER OF BUSINESS A.​ General Business Items taken in Executive Session To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations (Global) – Educational Association of Worcester, Units A/B; Educational Association of Worcester, Paraeducators Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Aides to the Physically Handicapped, Monitors and Drivers Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Therapy Assistants Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Parent Liaisons Unit; and Educational Association of Worcester, ESL Tutors Unit. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations – Educational Association of Worcester, Paraeducators Unit. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations – Educational Association of Worcester, Therapy Assistants Unit. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations - Massachusetts Laborers’ District  AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 Council for and in behalf of Worcester Public Service Employees Local Union 272 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO, Unit D, Computer Technicians/IT Professionals. B.​ Call to Order C.​ Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem D.​ Roll Call​ M. ​ Student Advisory Committee Items ​ E.​ Consent Agenda i. ​ Approval of Minutes ​ Approval of Minutes of the January 8, 2026 School Committee Meeting ​ ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $350 from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc South Middlesex Alumnae Chapter to benefit the Elm Park Community School's food pantry. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $201 from WTHS Staff to benefit a WRAP Around coordinator at WTHS. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $25 from The Blackbaud Giving Fund to benefit Columbus Park School. To consider approval of a donation of two smart TVs and stands from Clark University to benefit Claremont and Woodland Academy. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $500 from Falcone Enterprises Inc to benefit the South High Diesel program. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $100 from Bill and Heli Tomford made through Fidelity Charitable in memory of Robert S "Doc" Donahue to benefit a scholarship fund at University Park Campus School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $20.00 from Box Tops to benefit Columbus Park School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $300 from Darren Wuensch DBA A-Plus Educational Services to benefit Gerald Creamer Center. To consider approval of an in-kind donation from Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Non-Instructional Staff  AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 b.​ New Hire Instructional Staff c.​ Resignations/Retirements ​ iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition ​ (Administration) ​ ​ (January 22, 2026) To recognize the Belmont Street School staff for their coordinated response to the recent fire. (Administration) ​ (January 22, 2026) To recognize student Adryan Ferreira Pugira and bus driver Fabian Torres for their commendable response to a porch fire. (McCullough) ​ (January 22, 2026) To send letters of congratulations to the 2025 South High Girls Basketball Team and their Coaches for making it to the 2025 State Championship game. The Colonels reached back-to-back state finals in March 2024 and March 2025. (Mayor Petty) ​ (January 22, 2026) To congratulate Linda McSweeney for her recognition from Governor Healey on her years of service and dedication in the field of education. v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration G.​ Held Items ​ H.​ Recognitions December 4, 2025 (Johnson) To recognize the Worcester Cowboys 12u Football team for advancing to the National Championship in Naples, Florida. I. Public Comment-Any member of the public may address the Committee regarding any item before them for two (2) minutes. Those speaking will state their name, their residence, and the item on which they wish to speak for the record. Those speaking may do so in person or via remote participation. Those wishing to address the Committee in a language other than English are asked to notify the Clerk of the Committee in advance, so the Committee may be provided with an interpreter. Members of the Committee may not respond to the comments of the public at the meeting. Click to view Policy BEDH-Public Comment J. ​ Public Petition  AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 K.​ Report of the Superintendent ​ ros 6-2 (Administration) Vision to Action…Facilities and School Safety Updates To be taken collectively with: gb 5-114 (McCullough) ​ (November 20, 2025) To request that the safety department work with the schools, particularly those in high traffic areas, to review pick up and drop off policies and require right turn only into and out of school driveways during specific drop off and pick up times to improve significant congestion in those areas, with a particular focus on middle and high schools. gb 5-116 (Alvarez) ​ (November 20, 2025) Request that the Administration work with the city of Worcester's Department of Transportation and Public Works to assess traffic and pedestrian safety concerns at the crosswalk located on Belmont Street across from Stanton Street, near the basketball located in Bell Hill Park. It has been reported that drivers speed through this area despite the existing crosswalk. Further, request that the City explore safety enhancements such as flashing pedestrian lights (for non-school hours), additional signage, or the assignment of a crossing guard during school hours. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of the FC199 Interpreter in Education Training grant from DESE in the amount of $34,995. ​ To consider approval of the Unum Equitable Pathways Grant in the amount of $10,000. ​ To consider approval of a prior year payment to United Sales USA Corp. in the amount of $826.04. O.​ General Business ​ gb 5-115 (McCullough) ​ (November 20, 2025) Response from Administration To request the district explore the possibility of a centrally located family resource center that provides centralized services for food and clothing needs as well as the possibility of including washers/dryers for family use and one of the school based health centers. Recommendation: File  AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 gb 6-6 (McCullough) ​​ (January 22, 2026) To explore the cost and feasibility of resurfacing the tennis courts at Burncoat High School. Recommendation: Refer to Operations and Governance gb 6-7 (Alvarez) ​​ (January 22, 2026) To request administration to provide a report on which Worcester Public Schools received in-school fire safety visits from the Worcester Fire Department during the last 5 academic school years and any planned visits during this current year, including the grade levels, the frequency and format of the visits, and the criteria or process used to determine which schools receive visits. The report should also include any plans to expand or standardize access to ensure all students have equitable exposure to fire safety education. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-8 (Roy) ​​ (January 22, 2026) To request a report on what firewalls and precautions are in place to prevent students from connecting to internet sites that are outside the educational uses of chromebooks/ipads. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-9 (Biancheria) ​​ (January 22, 2026) To request a report on the cost and feasibility of field upgrades at North High School. Recommendation: Refer to Operations and Governance gb 6-7 (Administration) ​​ (January 22, 2026) To approve the proposed course additions for the 2026-2027 school year. Proposed Course Additions Recommendation: Refer to TLSS P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -January 29, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. -February 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Esther Howland Chamber, Worcester City Hall, 455 Main Street. -February 9, 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. -February 25, 2026, Standing Committee for Finance, 5:30 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. “Be Our Valentine” - Worcester Historical Museum’s annual Valentine Contest for students in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 to “take their place in history.” The contest is open  AGENDA #3​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 6 to students in those grades in local public and private schools, or who are the children of Worcester Historical Museum members, or those who hold an active Worcester Public Library Card. Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee