School Committee

AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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, May 7, 2026 At:​ 5:00 p.m., Executive Session; 6:00 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 – Initial Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations - Teamsters Local Union 170 for and on behalf of the City of Worcester Public Schools Transportation Mechanics. 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. 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, Units A/B. 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  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations – Educational Association of Worcester, Aides to the Physically Handicapped, Monitors and Drivers Unit. 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 16, 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 16, 2026 School Committee Meeting. Approval of Minutes of the April 17, 2026 Legislative Breakfast. Approval of the Minutes of the April 30, 2026 Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success meeting. Approval of Minutes of the May 4, 2026 Standing Committee for Operations and Governance meeting. ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation from Shutterfly LLC in the amount of $290.46 to benefit Woodland Academy. To consider approval of a donation from Shutterfly LLC in the amount of $497.68 to benefit Nelson Place Elementary School. To consider approval of a donation from Shutterfly LLC in the amount of $426.46 to benefit Tatnuck Magnet School. To consider approval of a donation from Reading for Education in the amount of $443.63 to benefit Gates Lane School. To consider approval of a donation from the National Football League Foundation in the amount of $3,730.98 to benefit Chandler Elementary School. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Instructional Staff  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 b.​ New Hire Non-Instructional Staff c.​ Resignations/Retirements ​ iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition ​ Roy ​ ​ (May 7, 2026) To formally recognize Heard Street Discover Academy, 4th grader, Harley Rose Figueroa for creating "Harley's Kind Kid's Club, making her artwork and designs into shirts, bracelets etc.. to raise money, and bring awareness, to always remember to be kind and to include others. Monies she raised went to a local horse rescue farm and the horse are trained to be used in therapeutic therapies for children and adults who have suffered PTSD and other traumas. Roy ​ (May 7, 2026) Recognition of Principal Dr. Brenda Diggs of the Transition Program and Holy Cross College students, Kya Roumimper Ascani, Delaney Walch, Lily Jaramillo and Lauren Yee for sponsoring "Our Shining Students Gala" and for all they do with the students in the Transition Program to feel, loved, valued and encouraged. ​ v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration ​ G.​ Held Items ​ H.​ Recognitions McCullough ​ ​​ (February 26, 2026) ​ To congratulate the Worcester Tech/North High 4x200 Relay team for winning the MIAA Division 3 State Championship. ​ McCullough ​ ​​ (March 19, 2026) ​ To recognize our senior student School Committee representatives. ​ McCullough ​ ​​ (April 16, 2026) ​ To recognize Worcester County Superintendent’s Association Scholars’ 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 & Kristen Doan University Park Campus - Rediet Abayneh Worcester Technical - Katie Lam & Nelson Tetteh  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 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 6-9 (Administration) Vision to Action…College and Career Highlights (Early College, AP, Night Life & Adult Education) Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees ​ TLSS, Thursday, April 30, 2026 gb 5-113 (Alvarez) ​ (October 23, 2025) To request the administration provide a comprehensive review and discussion of the current support systems and resources available to adjustment counselors within Worcester Public Schools, with the aim of identifying potential areas for enhancement to better serve student needs. Results: By a 3-0 margin, the report was approved and filed. gb 6-32 (Guardiola) ​ (March 19, 2026) To request that the administration provide a report on the status of the Head Start program within Worcester Public Schools, including enrollment data for the past three school years, current program capacity and locations, waitlist information if applicable, and any changes to funding, staffing, or program structure. The report should also include an overview of outreach efforts to families and any anticipated challenges or opportunities related to enrollment and program access moving forward. Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and filed. ​ Operations and Governance, Monday, May 4, 2026 ​ ​​ gb 2-92 (Clancey/McCullough/Johnson/Kamara/Mailman) (March 8, 2022) Request that the Administration provide quarterly reports regarding building maintenance to include timeframes on when work will begin and be concluded. Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and held for the next quarterly report.  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 gb 4-69 (Mailman) ​ (July 18, 2024) To request information related to the new turf field for Doherty High School. In the response please indicate answers to the following questions: 1. Has the turf been bought yet? 2. Certainly cost was a factor in the field that was chosen. What are the differences in specifications based on cost? 3. What and when are the next turf fields replacements scheduled for WPS ? 4. The NFL is rejecting turf fields for safety reasons- are there alternatives? 5. As our city goal is to build green - do we have concerns about petrochemical fields? 6. Has the Mass Association of School Superintendents (MASS) weighed in on turf fields? Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and filed. gb 5-75A (Motion from Member McCullough) ​ December 19, 2025 Receive an update on how the uniform coding of discipline data is progressing Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and filed. gb 5-75B (Motion from Member Biancheria) ​ (December 18, 2025) Receive a report on supports for alternative placements for students involved in disciplinary action, including the reinstatement of student safety centers, including the cost and feasibility. Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and filed. gb 6-6 (McCullough) ​ (January 22, 2026) To explore the cost and feasibility of resurfacing the tennis courts at Burncoat High School. Results: By a margin of 3-0, the report was approved and filed. gb 6-41 (Clerk) ​ (April 16, 2026) To review the 2026-2027 WPS Student Handbook approve any necessary changes. Results: By a margin of 3-0, the handbook was approved with an amendment from Member Biancheria to put in bold font, page 122, “No agent, employee, or volunteer of a school or school district shall…” and the item was filed. N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of A Preschool Itinerant Team Initiative DESE Grant in the amount of $10,000 to develop strategies for supporting preschool students to receive their IEPs. ​ To consider approval of a prior year payment in the amount of $1,881.41 to an employee for a missed step placement last year.  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 6 ​ O.​ General Business ​ gb 6-31 (Guardiola) ​​ (March 19, 2026) Response from Administration To request that the administration provide a report to the Committee on the current status of special education transportation in Worcester Public Schools in light of the findings and recommendations contained in the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General’s February 2026 report. Recommendation: Approve report and file gb 6-47 (Mailman) ​​ (May 7, 2026) Request a 3–5 year analysis of students leaving the district, using a template to track trends over time. Include breakdowns by special education, English learners, grade level, and other key groups. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-48 (Mayor Petty) ​​ (May 7, 2026)- To consider rescheduling the School Committee meeting of Thursday, June 18, 2026 to Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-49 (Mailman) ​​ (May 7, 2026) Request that the Administration provide a report on the district’s policies and practices regarding the documentation, retention, and storage of complaints of abuse, including allegations of sexual misconduct, made by students against educators or administrative personnel, and whether such practices are in compliance with Title IX and applicable Massachusetts state law. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-50 (Administration) ​​ (May 7, 2026) To approve an extension of an existing Parent Square contract for three (3) years, at a cost of $350,078.80. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-51 (Administration) ​​ (May 7, 2026) To approve an extension of an existing Custom Computers (Infinite Campus) contract for three (3) years, not to exceed $1,358,134.10. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-52 (Administration)  AGENDA #10​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 7 ​​ (May 7, 2026) Response from Administration To authorize the Administration to purchase the Unique Learning Curriculum for the Worcester Public Schools at a cost not to exceed $96,349.44. Recommendation: Refer to TLSS gb 6-53 (Administration) ​​ (May 7, 2026) Response from Administration To authorize the Administration to purchase the Number Worlds Curriculum for the Worcester Public Schools at a cost not to exceed $450,893.26. Recommendation: Refer to TLSS gb 6-54 (Mayor Petty) ​​ (May 7, 2026) ​ To consider the approval of a plaque at North High School in memory of Linda Bergstrom, a longtime Worcester Public Schools teacher. Linda dedicated over 35 years to teaching Worcester, including many years at North High School. During her tenure, she collaborated closely with pre-trial diversion district court, the Neighborhood Youth Corps, probation departments, and child guidance programs. Her efforts were central to the success of the Returnee Program, which was recognized in a special report by the National School Public Relations Association titled "alternative Schools: Why, What, Where, and How Much" (April 1977) ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -May 18 (if needed), 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -May 20, 2026, Standing Committee for Finance, 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -May 21, 2026, School Committee Meeting, 5:00 p.m., City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber -May 28, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. -Public Budget Hearing, 6:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410 Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee