School Committee

AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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, December 4, 2025 at:​ 5:00 p.m. Executive Session; 5:30p.m. Open Session ​ Esther Howland Chamber, Worcester City Hall Virtual: ​ 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 litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – Worker Compensation Settlement - Tutor. To discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – Worker Compensation Settlement - Bus Monitor. To discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – Worker Compensation Settlement - Senior Custodian. 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, Aides to the Physically Handicapped, Monitors and Drivers Unit. To conduct collective bargaining sessions to include a grievance hearing under  AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 Purpose 2 and to discuss strategy with respect to litigation under Purpose 3 if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – Educational Association of Worcester and Worcester School Committee, Grievance #25/26-04, Class Action Grievance Walkthrough Evaluations. B.​ Call to Order C.​ Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem: The National Anthem will be performed by Sariah Davis, an 11th grade student at Doherty Memorial High School. D.​ Roll Call​ M. ​ Student Advisory Committee Items R.​ Executive Session Vote in Open Session ​ Pursuant to action taken in executive session, on November 20, 2025, it is moved to ratify the Side Letter of Agreement between the Worcester School Committee and the 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, Custodians regarding Utility Crew Senior Custodian. ​ Pursuant to action taken in executive session, on November 20, 2025, it is moved to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the 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, Custodians for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. ​ Pursuant to action taken in executive session, on November 20, 2025, it is moved to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Massachusetts Laborers District Council for and in behalf of the Worcester Public Service Employees Local Union 272 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO, Educational Secretaries for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. E.​ Consent Agenda i. ​ Approval of Minutes of the November 20, 2025 School Committee Meeting. ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a $2500 donation to WPS as part of our participation with the National Grid Foundation Assistance, Efficiency, and Education Cohort. To consider approval of an anonymous donation of $2,000 to benefit WTHS Family Wraparound Students in need of food or clothing. To consider approval of a donation of $400 from the Commonwealth AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 Shakespeare Company to benefit the North High School SAVOR program. To consider approval of $5,000 in gift cards from David Clark Company to benefit Coats for Kids. To consider approval of a $500 donation from Ryder System inc to support the South High Diesel Technology program. To consider approval of a $250 donation from Direnzo Towing and Recovery Inc to support the South High Diesel Technology program. To consider approval of a donation from the Dudley Charlton School District of isolation gowns, face sheilds and surgical masks to benefit the WTHS Allied Health department. To consider approval of $2,500 in gift cards from Target as part of their Heroes and Helpers Holiday shopping event to benefit students at the Clark Street School. To consider approval of 3 cases (60 per case) of lab goggles from Boston Scientific to benefit the WPS Science program. To consider approval of 90 sets of three fossils (one ammonite, one trilobite, and one turritella) from Central Mass Stem Network to benefit WPS 3rd grade classrooms. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Non-Instructional Staff b.​ New Hire Instructional Staff c.​ Resignations/Retirements ​ iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition December 4, 2025 ​ ​ (McCullough) To send letters of congratulations to Burncoat High School music students on their senior central district festival acceptances. See attached names. December 4, 2025 ​ ​ (McCullough) To recognize the Burncoat Dance Team on MSAA 2025 Fall State Championship wins with 2nd place in Jazz and 1st place in Hip Hop. December 4, 2025 ​ (Johnson) To recognize the 2025 Central Mass Regional Champions 10u Worcester Vikings team for advancing to the National Championships in Naples, Florida.  AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 December 4, 2025 ​ (Johnson) To recognize the Worcester Cowboys 12u Football team for advancing to the National Championship in Naples, Florida. v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration G.​ Held Items ​ The following eight (8) items will be considered together: ​ Response from Administration for the following eight (8) items gb 5-57 a (Motion from Member Biancheria) ​ ​ ​ (June 18, 2025) To receive a report on layoffs that effect the nutrition department. gb 5-57 b (Motion from Member Biancheria) (June 18, 20025) To receive a report of all school sites that have a full time building substitute teacher. gb 5-57 c (Motion from Member Biancheria) (June 18, 2025) To receive a report on the number of classrooms that support students with autism. gb 5-57 d (Motion from Member Mailman) (June 18, 2025) To receive a report on the Night Life program finances and growth. ros 5-11 (Motion from Member Mailman) ​ (May 15, 2025) To receive data number for the information presented on the key performance indicator evidence for District Goal #1: Acquire and Retain Talent. gb 5-75 (Motion from Member Alvarez) ​ (August 14, 2025) To receive additional data regarding demographic information and foster care status of students involved in disciplinary action. gb 5-70 (Motion from Member Mailman) ​ (September 11, 2025) To receive sample requirements and data in chart form from communities who are already using the mastery based grading. gb 5-73 (Motion from Member Biancheria) ​ (October 6, 2025) To receive a report on how many 7D van drivers we currently have employed  AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 and to confirm when the solar panels at Doherty Memorial High School have been connected. ​ ​​ Recommendation: Approve and File H.​ Recognitions ​ 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 5-16 (Administration) ​ Vision to Action…Q (Quadrant) Teams ​ Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees ​ ​ N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider a prior year payment for missed alternative pay in the amount of $1,119.80. ​ To consider approval of a prior year payment for missed COLA in the amount of $4,344.00. ​ To consider approval of the Career Technical Initiative Round 10 Grant from the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College (MA4EC) in the amount of $50,000. ​ To consider approval of a one prior year payment in the amount of $6,480.00. O.​ General Business ​ gb 5-86 (Motion from Member Biancheria) ​ ​​ (August 14, 2025) ​ Response from Administration for gb 5-86 ​ To receive a copy of the updated MOU between WPS and WPD. ​ Recommendation: File ​ gb 5-83 (Motion from Member Mailman) ​ ​​ (August 14, 2025) ​ Response from Administration for gb 5-83 ​ Request administration provide an update on preppy kindergarten program. ​ Recommendation: File  AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 6 ​ ​ gb 5-104 (Mailman) ​ ​ Response from Administration for gb 5-104 ​ ​​ (September 18, 2025) ​ To revisit the opportunity to utilize climate and culture staff/or other staff, particularly at the beginning of the school, year to help set behavioral expectations on buses that have a need. Parents petitioned in 2023 with many good ideas, which included policy recommendations for number of students on the buses, addressing overcrowded buses, assisting drivers with safety concerns, etc. ​ Recommendation: File ​ ​ gb 5-119 (Roy) ​ ​​ (December 4, 2025) ​ Request administration provide an update on the programs that include online harm through cyber bullying and social media. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ gb 5-120 (Roy) ​ ​​ (December 4, 2025) ​ 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: Refer to Administration ​ gb 5-121 (Administration) ​ ​​ (December 4, 2025) ​ Proposed Revised Schedule ​ To approve a change in the Report of the Superintendent Schedule. The December 18, 2025 report has been changed from “Communications Update” to “Discipline Data Report.” ​ Recommendation: Approve and File P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -​ December 11, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -​ December 15, 2025 Standing Committee on Finance, Operations, and Governance, 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -​ December 18, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Esther Howland Chamber, Worcester City Hall, 455 Main Street. “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 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  AGENDA #22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 7 Worcester Public Library card. Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee