School Committee

AGENDA #4​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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, February 5, 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 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. 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. 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 #4​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 so declares – Successor Contract Negotiations – Educational Association of Worcester, Parent Liaisons Unit. B.​ Call to Order C.​ Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem: Levi Kasten, a grade 12 student at Doherty Memorial High School will perform the National Anthem. D.​ Roll Call​ M. ​ Student Advisory Committee Items ​ sa 6-1 (Student Advisory) ​ ​​ (February 5, 2026) ​ To review and audit school nurse staffing levels. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Administration ​ E.​ Consent Agenda i. ​ Approval of Minutes Approval of Minutes of the January 22, 2026 School Committee Meeting. ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation from The Hanover Insurance Group of 200 Weekend Food Backpacks to benefit the schools in the Burncoat Quadrant with established food pantries (Elm Park, Lincoln Street, Burncoat High, Vernon Hill). To consider approval of a donation of (3) bike racks, (18) helmets and (18) locks from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) as part of their Safe Routes to School Bike Rack Program to benefit students at Grafton Street School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $200 from Dario Diesel to benefit the South High Diesel Technology Program. To consider approval of a $10,000 in-kind donation from Eaton Company through Adoptaclassroom.org to support Sullivan Middle School. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Non-Instructional Staff b.​ New Hire Instructional Staff c.​ Resignations/Retirements ​ iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition ​ McCullough ​ ​ (February 5, 2026) To congratulate Doherty Senior, Caleigh Moriarty, on being named a Posse Scholar. Being named a Posse Scholar is highly significant because it recognizes a student’s academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to community. Posse Scholars are selected through a rigorous,  AGENDA #4​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 multi-stage process that looks beyond grades to identify students who will lead, support others, and thrive in challenging environment. Caleigh will be attending Bucknell University in the Fall. McCullough ​ (February 5, 2026) To send letters of thanks to the Worcester Technical High School and Hopedale High School basketball teams and fans for their assistance in emptying the emergency trailer and setting up cots and other provisions in the gymnasium following their basketball game, in support of the opening of the emergency shelter at Worcester Technical High School. McCullough ​ (February 5, 2026) Send letter letters of congratulations to the WPS students who received acceptances into the Massachusetts All State Music Festival. This is the highest number of acceptances for WPS. v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration G.​ Held Items ​ 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 6-3 (Administration) Vision to Action…FY27 Preliminary Budget Estimates & SC Priorities ​ Recommendation: Approve and file L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees ​ N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of the Support Implementing of Updated Regulations Regarding Time-Out Practices Grant in the amount of $50,000.  AGENDA #4​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 O.​ General Business ​ gb 4-117 (Mailman) ​ ​ (December 5, 2024) ​ Response from Administration ​ To create a policy for “time on screen” for one to one devices in the classroom across grade levels. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 5-103 (Mailman) ​ ​​ (September 18, 2025) ​ Response from Administration ​ To provide update on the technology committee including software acquisition policy and process, structure around time on devices especially, at the elementary level, and when AI use is allowed and when it is not. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-11 (Mailman) ​ ​​ (February 5, 2026) To unanimously support legislation filed by Sen Robyn Kennedy S390 - to create a commission to study MSBA to look at the funding process and the award process. Support for such a commission is especially important as we work on plans for a new Burncoat High School and explore the possibility of an indoor track facility. ​ Recommendation: Approve ​ gb 6-12 (Mailman) (February 5, 2026) To request an updated enrollment report, since 2023, for the Hanover Program and Goddard Scholars program, including sending schools and demographics. ​ Recommendation: Refer to TLSS gb 6-13 (Johnson) ​​ (February 5, 2026) Request administration look at adjusting the 2026-27 school year calendar to adjust the Christmas break to allow for two weeks off. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-14 (Administration) ​​ (February 5, 2026) To authorize the Administration to enter into a five-year lease renewal with Hilltop Group Holding LLC for the parking lot associated with the Durkin Administration Building. Recommendation: Approve P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -February 9, 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410.  AGENDA #4​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 -February 25, 2026, Standing Committee for Finance, 5:30 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. -February 26, 2206, School Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber. “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 Worcester Public Library Card. Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee