School Committee

AGENDA #9​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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 16, 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 The Worcester School Committee is convening in executive session under Mass. G.L. c. 30A, Section 21(a)(1) (Purpose 1) to discuss an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Robert Contois against the Worcester School Committee. 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 April 2, 2026. 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 April 2, 2026 School Committee Meeting. ii. ​ Approval of Donations  AGENDA #9​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 To consider approval of books donation from The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to benefit Worcester Public Schools. To consider approval of a donation of books, provided by Kaitlyn Flanagan in partnership with Tidepool Bookstore, through the Marshall Memorial Fund at the College of the Holy Cross, for the benefit of students at Claremont Academy. To consider approval of an in-kind donation from the Regional Environmental Council, Inc., through the “UGROW: Increasing Biodiversity at School and Community Gardens through Native Plants & Pollinators” Community Biodiversity Grant, to support the expansion of 9 existing pollinator gardens and the installation of 4 new gardens at Tatnuck Magnet School, New Citizen School, Rice Square School, Wawecus Road School, Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, Flagg Street School, Goddard School of Science and Technology, Clark Street Community School, North High School, Worcester Technical High School, Vernon Hill School, and Elm Park Community School and City View Discovery School. The project will include planting more than 40 native perennial species to increase biodiversity, support pollinator populations, improve soil health, strengthen urban ecosystem resilience, and provide hands-on environmental education and stewardship opportunities for students and community members. 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 16, 2026) To recognize Worcester County Superintendent’s Association Scholarship recipients: Burncoat High School - Yvonne Roberts Claremont Academy - Nikkie Perritt & Carol Somersall Feliz Doherty Memorial - Elena Melka & Kleri Morcka North High - Tammy Do & Milene Novoa South High Community - Jordan Dennett & Caleb Som University Park Campus - Rediet Abayneh Worcester Technical - Katie Lam & Nelson Tetteh v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration ​ G.​ Held Items ​ H.​ Recognitions  AGENDA #9​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 ​ McCullough ​ ​​ (February 26, 2026) ​ To congratulate the Worcester Tech/North High 4x200 Relay team for winning the MIAA Division 3 State Championship. Mailman ​ (January 8, 2026) To recognize the work of our parent library volunteers across the district. 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. 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 ​ K.​ Report of the Superintendent ​ ros 6-8 (Administration) Vision to Action…Culture and Climate Update (Wellness Rooms) Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of the Middle School Sports Grant from the Play Ball Foundation in the amount of $50,000. ​ To consider approval of a prior year payment to an employee in the amount of $6,985.72. ​ To consider approval of the Middle School Exploration Policy and MyCAP Grant in the amount of $4,000. ​ To consider approval of 3 prior year payments in the amount of $16,097.44. ​ To consider approval of Community Preservation Act funding in the amount of $382,580 for the Stronger Starts Worcester: District-wide Playground Initiative.  AGENDA #9​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 ​ To consider approval of Kendall Food Vision Prize Grant in the amount of $20,000 to support the alignment of menu items to increase local food purchasing and promotion. O.​ General Business ​ gb 5-120 (Roy) ​ ​​ (December 4, 2025) ​ Response from Administration ​ Request from Administration to consider reviewing and improving a long range plan for preventing dropouts in the Worcester Public Schools by forming a committee with educators, social agencies and business leaders to what has been accomplished and needs to be changed. ​ Recommendation: Approve report and file ​ sa 5-2 (Student Advisory) ​ ​​ (December 18, 2025) ​ Response from Administration To propose a plan to aid unhoused students. (much like the already mentioned washing machine truck) like wellness packs that include toothbrushes, travel toothpaste, floss, etc. Recommendation: Approve report and file sa 6-1 (Student Advisory) ​ ​​ (February 5, 2026) ​ Response from Administration ​ To review and audit school nurse staffing levels. ​ Recommendation: Approve report and file gb 6-40 (Mailman) ​ ​​ (April 16, 2026) ​ To update the community on plans for the Transitions Program to move out of the Fanning Building for next September. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 6-41 (Clerk) ​ ​​ (April 16, 2026) ​ To review the 2026-2027 WPS Student Handbook and approve any necessary changes. ​ Recommendation: Refer to O&G ​ gb 6-42 (McCullough) ​ ​​ (April 16, 2026) ​ Request the administration to provide an update on the supports and services currently offered in Worcester Public Schools for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, including any recent improvements or planned enhancements. ​ Recommendation: Refer to TLSS  AGENDA #9​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 gb 6-43 (Guardiola) (April 16, 2026) Request that the administration provide a detailed report on the current custodial and grounds staffing at Foley Stadium. Specifically, the report should include: The total number of custodial staff assigned to Foley Stadium; the total number of grounds crew staff assigned to the facility; a breakdown of full-time, part-time, and contracted personnel (if applicable); a clear outline of the roles and responsibilities for both custodial and grounds staff; the supervisory and reporting structure for these positions, including who is responsible for oversight and day-to-day management; and any coordination with external vendors or partners related to maintenance and upkeep.​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-44 (Administration) ​​ (April 16, 2026) To approve an extension of the existing McGraw Hill contract for five (5) years, at a cost of $1.1 million for History- grades 6,7,9, Psychology, Sociology, and Legal Aspects. Recommendation: Approval and file gb 6-45 (Guardiola) ​​ (April 16, 2026) To request that the Administration provide an update to the School Committee on the Worcester Public Schools Nutrition Department’s efforts to partner with local farms and food aggregation organizations to increase the procurement and availability of locally sourced food for students. Recommendation: Refer to O&G gb 6-46 (Alvarez) ​​ (April 16, 2026) Request data on enrollment and participation of Hispanic/Latinx students in advanced coursework and recommend actions to increase access and support as needed. Recommendation: Refer to Administration P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -April 30, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. -May 4, 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -May 7, 2026, School Committee Meeting, 5:00 p.m., City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee