School Committee

Regular Meeting

Worcester, MA · May 21, 2026

AGENDA #11 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 21, 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 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 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 AGENDA #11 Page 2 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 May 7, 2026. B. Call to Order C. Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem: Lauren Church, grade 11, Doherty Memorial High School will perform the National Anthem. D. Roll Call M. Student Advisory Committee Items E. Consent Agenda i. Approval of Minutes Approval of Minutes of the May 7, 2026 School Committee Meeting. ii. Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation of 200 chairs from Marvell to benefit Burncoat High School. To consider approval of a donation of $7,500 from the family of Robert "Doc" Donahue to support students at University Park Campus School. He passed away on November 11, 2025. He related to many of the seniors, who would be the first in their families to attend college. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $650 from Greater Worcester Community Foundation to benefit Worcester Technical High School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $50 from Fidelity Charitable to benefit Worcester Public Schools. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $20 from Victoria Davidson to support Columbus Park School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $17.60 from Box Tops to support Columbus Park School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $120.90 from Shutterfly LLC to support Columbus Park School. To consider approval of a donation of services and materials for resurfacing the gym floor at Vernon Hill from Worcester Sports Foundation. The estimated donation for the project is $6,500 and will be completed during the summer break and scheduled in conjunction with the district’s facilities department. To consider approval of a donation from Museum of Science of Elementary/Youth Engineering Solutions kits and professional development for AGENDA #11 Page 3 seven middle schools (Burncoat, Claremont, Forest Grove, NCC, Sullivan, UPCS, WEMS). To consider approval of a donation from the Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society in the amount of $500 to benefit Dual Language Magnet School. To consider approval of donations from Skyline Technical Fund for the reconstruction and enhancement of the Veterinary Tech Clinic at Worcester Technical High School for the estimated cost of $6,132,550 and in accordance with the executed Memorandum of Agreement. This project is being funded in partnership with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. iii. Notification of Personnel Records a. New Hire Instructional Staff b. New Hire Non-Instructional Staff c. Resignations/Retirements iv. Initial filing of Recognition v. Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F. Item for Reconsideration G. Held Items H. Recognitions 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. 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 6-4 (Nelly Medina) (May 21, 2026) Requests information on Worcester Public Schools' plan to educate and provide individualized social-emotional and health supports, as well as specific learning AGENDA #11 Page 4 disabilities and behavioral interventions, for students impacted by the two closing alternative programs. Recommendation: Refer to Administration c&p 6-5 (Melissa Verdier) (May 21, 2026) Melissa Verdier, President of the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW), will speak on behalf of the EAW membership, on the closing of Worcester Alternative School, Academic Center for Transition and New Citizen Center. Recommendation: Refer to Administration c&p 6-6 (Katrin McRell) (May 21, 2026) Review of district voluntary transfer policy, process, and decision-making criteria. Recommendation: Refer to Administration c&p 6-7 (Marlenny Rodriguez) (May 21, 2026) Specifically, what resources, specialized programs, and staffing will be provided to help truant and disengaged students re-engage with their education and address their unique social-emotional and academic needs are planned for Worcester Alternative students transitioning to the Central Mass Collaborative. Recommendation: Refer to Administration c&p 6-8 (Heather Stanek) (May 21, 2026) To hold the Worcester Public Schools accountable for implementing their bullying prevention and intervention plan (BPIP), as currently written, holding public meetings and soliciting caregiver feedback when the BPIP is up for renewal, and having a procedure in place to make sure that the plan is implemented equitably and consistently across the district To be transparent with caregivers during bullying investigations. To help the student doing the bullying understand why they are bullying, how to get help for underlying issues and how to restore community and safety. Finally, to implement comprehensive, mandatory bullying education, including cyber-bullying, supervision on district devices, and improving the climate and culture within WPS. Recommendation: Refer to Administration K. Report of the Superintendent ros 6-10 (Administration) Vision to Action…Multilingual Learners-Best Practices in Action Recommendation: Approve and file L. Reports of the Standing Committees N. Approval of Grants and other Finance Items To consider approval of the Unum Equitable Pathways grant in the amount of $7,000. To consider approval of the Summer Eats Grant in the amount of $7,500. AGENDA #11 Page 5 To consider approval of a prior year payment in the amount of $75.00 for an employee for a school bus license renewal. O. General Business gb 6-55 (McCullough) (May 21, 2026) Request that the Administration provide a comprehensive update on college and career readiness efforts across the district, including the current status and impact of AVID programming. The report should outline how students and families are informed about high school offerings, including college preparatory pathways, CTE programs, and other specialized opportunities. Additionally, include an overview of current advising practices and how the district is supporting more thoughtful, individualized guidance to ensure students are selecting pathways aligned with their interests, strengths, and long-term goals. Include any relevant data, outreach strategies, and recommendations for improving awareness, access, and alignment between student interest and program placement. Recommendation: Refer to TLSS gb 6-56 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) To authorize the Administration to enter into a five-year lease agreement to replace 6,000 Chromebooks in accordance with the district's technology replacement schedule. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-57 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) Grant Presentation To accept a grant from the Executive Office of Education in the amount of $3,750,000 for Worcester Technical High School HVAC and Plumbing Modernization and Expansion Initiative. Recommendation: Approve gb 6-58 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) To request that the Superintendent, or designee, be granted the annual authorization to make the final year-end transfers necessary to balance surplus and deficit accounts for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-59 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) To consider approval of the Worcester Public Schools FY27 budget. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-60 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) AGENDA #11 Page 6 To review and conduct a Public Hearing on the FY27 Worcester Public Schools Budget per MGL Ch. 71, sec 38N. Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-61 (Guardiola) (May 21, 2026) Request the Administration provide an update on the status of school bus stop-arm camera enforcement technology for Worcester Public Schools, including whether the City of Worcester and Worcester Public Schools have opted into the Commonwealth’s recently authorized school bus camera enforcement program, the timeline for implementation, projected costs and revenues, vendor selection process, and how the program would improve student safety. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-62 (Johnson) (May 21, 2026) For administration to work with all schools on a wellness week in the Worcester public schools. Which should include assembly’s and speakers. And if possible incorporate into the daily educational curriculum for the week Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-63 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) To formally recognize and honor the retirees of the Worcester Public Schools for their years of dedicated service, commitment, and contributions. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-64 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) To vote to execute the Contract for Employment between the Worcester School Committee and Tammy Murray, Ed.D. for the position of Director of Special Education and Intervention Services for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Recommendation: Approve and file P. Announcements Meeting Dates: - May 28, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. - May 28, 2026 Public Budget Hearing, 6:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410 - June 4, 2026, School Committee Meeting, 4:00 p.m., City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber - June 8, 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 20 Irving Street, Room 410 Q. Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee