School Committee

AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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, April 2, 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=dmp4TnIxYThBdnhk ZWQ1bm1hMjFFZz09 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 - Massachusetts Laborers’ District 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. To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and/or to conduct contract negotiations with nonunion personnel – Director of Special Education and Intervention Services– Tammy L. Murray, Ed.D. Executive Session pursuant to Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a), Purpose 7 to comply with, or act under the authority of, any general or special law, including the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Mass. G.L. c. 66, Section 10, and the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Sections 22(f) and (g), relating to review of executive session minutes for meetings that occurred March 19, 2026. B.​ Call to Order C.​ Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem: The National Anthem will be sung by The All-State Singers: Natasha Acquah, Keira Emmons, Grace King, Neve Leach, Jarelis Lopez of Burncoat High School, and Stacy Domingo of South High. D.​ Roll Call​ M. ​ Student Advisory Committee Items  AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 ​ E.​ Consent Agenda i. ​ Approval of Minutes Approval of Minutes of the March 19, 2026 School Committee Meeting. Approval of Minutes of the March 26, 2026 Standing Committee of Teaching, Learning and Student Success Meeting. Approval of Minutes of the March 30, 2026 Standing Committee of Operations and Governance Meeting. ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $1,400 from bankHometown to benefit Quinsigamond Elementary School. To consider approval of a donation from DCU in the amount of $10,000 to benefit the Worcester Public Schools. To consider approval of a donation from Reading for Education in the amount of $431.33 to benefit Midland Street School. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Instructional Staff b.​ New Hire Non-Instructional Staff c.​ Resignations/Retirements ​ iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition ​ McCullough ​ ​ (April 2, 2026) To congratulate South High’s student-led literary magazine, The Apricot Journal, has for being recognized as a REALM First Class magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Administration ​ (April 2, 2026) To recognize the Worcester Regional Research Bureau's 2026 Isaiah Thomas Award recipient and nominees for their youth engagement in the community. v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration ​ G.​ Held Items H.​ Recognitions (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.  AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 (Administration) ​ (January 22, 2026) To recognize the Belmont Street School staff for their coordinated response to the recent fire. 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 ​ c&p 6-2 (Sullivan Middle School) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Petition Presentation ​ To petition the School Committee to consider adding recess back into middle schools. ​ Recommendation: Refer to TLSS K.​ Report of the Superintendent ​ ros 6-7 (Administration) Vision to Action…Autism Program Updates Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees Teaching, Learning, and Student Success: March 26, 2026 gb 3-70 (McCullough) ​ (February 16, 2023) Response from Administration Request that the Administration collaborate with the Worcester Public Library and our One City, One Library schools to ensure that the parameters regarding the use of the library space is available for school-based needs. Results: On a 3-0 vote, the report was approved and this item was held for future updates. gb 5-45 (Clerk) ​ (May 15, 2025) Response from Administration Bi-Annual Report To receive a biannual update on the collaborative efforts between Worcester Public Library and Worcester Public Schools. Request that the Administration provide an update on library programs and the use of librarians throughout the district. (New item will be put in the agenda in April for referral to TLSS) including but not limited to: Provide updated SORA data and Updates on the “4th” and “5th” prep classes to be used for library period. Results: On a 3-0 vote, the report was approved and this item was held for future updates.  AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 sa 5-1 (Student Advisory) ​ (December 18, 2025) Response from Administration To propose a plan for more student/business jobs and/or volunteer opportunities. Many jobs won't hire students simply because of their age. Also, aid students in getting job certifications such as ServSafe, CPR, or first aid). Results:On a 3-0 vote, the report was approved and this item was filed, gb 6-33 (Administration) ​ ​ (March 19, 2026) To authorize the Administration to purchase the Reveal Elementary Math Curriculum for the Worcester Public Schools, on a six (6) year contract, at a cost not to exceed $3,200,000. Results: On a 2-1 vote (Member Alvarez dissented), the motion to approve the purchase of the curriculum passed. Operations and Governance: March 30, 2026 ​ ​​ gb 4-111 (Administration) ​​ (November 21, 2024) Response from Administration To consider possible revisions to school boundary assignments and school quadrant assignments to become effective for the 2027-2028 school year. Results: On a 3-0 vote, the report was accepted and the item was filed. gb 5-3 (McCullough) ​ (January 9, 2025) Response from Administration To explore expanding middle school sports, with high demand, into 7th and 8th grade teams in order to give more students the opportunity to participate. Results: Chairperson Johnson made a motion to conduct a feasibility study to expand middle school sports to surrounding towns. On a 3-0 vote, this item was held with Chairperson Johnson’s motion. gb 6-20 (Administration) ​ (February 26, 2026) Response from Administration To review potential updates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) as published in the WPS Student Handbook. Results: Chairperson Johnson made a motion to create an online FAQ section About the policy and be notified of the FAQ section via Friday letter. Another motion was made to approve and file this item. On a 3-0, vote both motions passed unanimously. gb 6-21 (Clerk) ​ (February 26, 2026) Policy EFBA Policy Updates: BHE, GBEDC, IKFE, JJE, KBG To review updates to these MASC policies in order to update Worcester School  AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 Committee policies. Results: A motion was made to approve these changes and file this item. On a 3-0 vote, the motion passed unanimously. N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of OpenSciEd grant from the One8Foundation in the amount of $170,100 for the implementation of OpenSciEd curriculum at 3 middle schools, across 3 years. ​ To consider approval of the One8 Foundation Investigating History Grant in the amount of $25,100. ​ To consider approval of the Summer Eats Grant from DESE in the amount of $13,340. O.​ General Business ​ gb 5-52 (Johnson) ​ ​​ (May 15, 2025) ​ Response from Administration gb 5-52 ​ Request the Administration work with the City Manager on an internship program through the Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW), to make it accessible to all high school students. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file gb 5-70 (Administration) ​ ​​ (June 18, 2025) ​ Grading Policy Update ​ To review and approve High School Mastery-Based Grading Practices ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 5-119 (Roy) ​ ​​ (December 4, 2025) ​ Response from Administration gb 5-119 ​ Request administration provide an update on the programs that include online harm through cyber bullying and social media. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 6-13 (Johnson) ​​ (February 5, 2026) Response from Administration gb 6-13 Request administration look at adjusting the 2026-27 school year calendar to adjust the Christmas break to allow for two weeks off. Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 6-34 (Mailman) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ To request the Superintendent work with the WPS Athletic Director and WPS Equity Department, together, to create a formal process for reporting and logging of race-related complaints, across all sports, directed towards our students, so we may understand the breadth of the issue. Additionally, to request a survey of our coaches experiences in the last few years, while creating a plan, to combat the racism.  AGENDA #8​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 6 ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 6-35 (Biancheria) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Request administration provide an update on the Exploring Aviation career program including number of students enrolled, maximum enrollment, schools connected to this program, future of the program with options of expanding the program. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 6-36 (Roy) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Request administration provide a report on the projected students for enrollment of the 26-27 school year for K-6 with the comparison of the 25-26 school year including any thoughts of funding issues. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 6-37 (Roy) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Request administration provide an update on the SAIL program including the number of students enrolled, the ratio of staff vs students and what are the tiered program levels in reference to needs. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 6-38 (Roy) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Request administration provide the number of students enrolled under the spectrum of autism and supports provided with school sites. Recommendation: Refer to Administration P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -April 16, 2026, School Committee Meeting, 5:00 p.m., City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber -April 30, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee