School Committee

AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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, June 4, 2026 At:​ 4:00 p.m. Budget Discussion (Open Session) ​ 5:30 p.m. Executive Session ​ 7:00 p.m. Open Session (Regular Meeting) ​ 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 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 - Cafeteria Worker. 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 (Global) – Educational Association of Worcester, Units A/B; Educational Association of Worcester, Paraeducators Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Aides to the Physically Handicapped, Monitors and Drivers Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Therapy Assistants Unit; Educational Association of Worcester, Parent Liaisons Unit; and Educational Association of Worcester, ESL Tutors 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, 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,  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 2 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 May 21, 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 May 20, 2026 Standing Committee on Finance. Approval of Minutes of the May 21, 2026 School Committee Meeting. Approval of Minutes of the May 28, 2026 Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning, and Student Success. Approval of Minutes of the May 28, 2026 Public Budget Hearing. ii. ​ Approval of Donations To consider approval of a donation from New England Dairy Council of smoothie equipment to benefit Burncoat High School & South High School. To consider approval of a donation in the amount of $5856.47 from Phi Sigma Sigma to support Belmont Street School's after school programs & library. To consider approval of a donation from Nick Chacharone, Principal at Chacharone Properties of t-shirts and baseball hats to support the baseball teams in the WPS Middle School Sports initiative. The initiative supports the creation and sustainability of school-based sports leagues for middle school students within the district. 80 participating students will benefit from the donation. To consider approval of a donation from Councilor Satya Mitra for 50 Worcester Red Sox Tickets for Worcester Public School students. iii. ​ Notification of Personnel Records a.​ New Hire Instructional Staff b.​ Resignations/Retirements ​  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 3 iv. ​ Initial filing of Recognition ​ McCullough ​ ​ (June 4, 2026) To recognize the outstanding achievements of the Burncoat Quadrivium Honors Choir, which was elevated into a higher competition division due to the absence of comparable schools in their category and earned a Gold Medal and third-place finish with an average score of 93/100. As a result, the choir has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2027 and 2028. The choir has also been invited to perform the National Anthem at a Boston Red Sox game on July 18, 2026. v. ​ Notices of Interest to the District or to the Public F.​ Item for Reconsideration ​ G.​ Held Items ​ gb 6-59 (Administration) (May 21, 2026) Budget Book Sequence of Accounts To consider approval of the Worcester Public Schools FY27 budget. Recommendation: Hold H.​ Recognitions ​ Biancheria ​ ​​ (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. McCullough​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) To congratulate South High’s student-led literary magazine, The Apricot Journal, for being recognized as a REALM First Class magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). 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 ​  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 4 K.​ Report of the Superintendent L.​ Reports of the Standing Committees ​ Finance - May 20, 2026 gb 5-99 (Administration) (September 14, 2025) Response from Administration Prior action sheet for gb 5-99 To review the status of the FY26 Budget and make appropriate transfers as required. Results: The requested transfers were approved and the item was held on a 3-0 vote, along with the following motions: To propose the School Committee send a letter to the City’s Facilities Department to get the solar panel installation completed; To receive a report with 2 years of data regarding bus driver absences; and to receive a report on trends in workers compensation from the last three years. gb 5-100 (Administration) ​ (September 18, 2025) Response from Administration Prior action sheet for gb 5-100 ​ To review the Independent Accountants’ Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education End of Year for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Results: The report was approved and filed on a 3-0 vote. gb 5-101 (Administration) (September 18, 2025) Response from Administration Prior action sheet for gb 5-101 To review the annual audit and agreed-upon procedures report on compliance and internal controls for the City of Worcester, including the Worcester Public Schools, which includes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-133 Reports and the Management Letter for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Results: The report was approved and filed on a 3-0 vote. gb 5-107 (Binienda) ​ (October 9, 2025) Response from Administration Prior action sheet for gb 5-107 To discuss funding for the GearUp Program at North High School. Results: The report was approved and filed on a 3-0 vote with the following motions: To receive an update on the Gear Up program (to full committee) in January 2027.  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 5 gb 6-18 (McCullough) ​ (February 26, 2026) Response from Administration Prior action sheet for gb 6-18 To explore funding options to maintain and expand the Bryt program. Results: On a 3-0 vote, this item was approved and filed. TLSS - May 28, 2026 3-89.4 Johnson ​ (March 8, 2023) Response from Administration To consider a review of the Chapter 74 programs in the comprehensive high schools including enrollment processes, criteria, and acceptance. Results: On a 3-0 vote, this item was approved and filed. The following two items (gb 3-70 & gb 5-45) will be taken together: gb 3-70 (McCullough) ​ (February 16, 2023) Request that the Administration collaborate with the Worcester Public Library and our One City, One Library schools to ensure that the parameters regarding the use of the library space is available for school-based needs. gb 5-45 (Clerk) ​ (May 15, 2025) Bi-Annual Report To receive a biannual update on the collaborative efforts between Worcester Public Library and Worcester Public Schools.Request that the Administration provide an update on library programs and the use of librarians throughout the district. including but not limited to providing updated SORA data and updates on the “4th” and “5th” prep classes to be used for library period. Results: On a 3-0 vote, these items were filed. ​ gb 5-63 (Administration) ​ ​ ​ (January 16, 2025) ​ ​ Response from Administration ​ ​ To receive updates on the dual language program expansion. Results: On a 3-0 vote, this report was approved and the item was held for future updates. gb 6-52 (Administration) ​ (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. Results: On a 3-0 vote, this item was approved and filed.  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 6 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. Results: On a 3-0 vote, this item was approved and filed. N.​ Approval of Grants and other Finance Items ​ To consider approval of a prior year payment in the amount of $187.87 to Bio Corporation for an order received after the PO was closed. ​ To consider approval of the Title III, Part A: Immigrant Children and Youth Grant in the amount of $352,159.00. ​ O.​ General Business ​ gb 6-35 (Biancheria) ​ ​​ (April 2, 2026) ​ Response from Administration ​ Request administration provide an update on the Exploring Aviation career program including number of students enrolled, maximum enrollment, schools connected to this program, future of the program with options of expanding the program. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 6-40 (Mailman) ​ ​​ (April 16, 2026) ​ Response from Administration ​ To update the community on plans for the Transitions Program to move out of the Fanning Building for next September. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 6-65 (Mayor Petty) ​ ​​ (June 4, 2026) ​ To consider rescheduling the June 17, 2026 meeting to June 25, 2026. ​ Recommendation: Approve and file ​ gb 6-67 (Clerk) ​ ​​ (June 4, 2026) ​ To receive an annual update on both the WPS collaboration with Worcester Public Library as well as an update on library programs within WPS and the use of librarians throughout the district, including but not limited to, providing updated SORA data and updates on the “4th” and “5th” prep classes to be used for library period. Recommendation: Refer to TLSS gb 6-68 (Administration) ​ (June 4, 2026) Response from Administration To approve an easement to National Grid for property situated on the southerly side of Thorndyke Road.  AGENDA #12​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Page 7 Recommendation: Approve and file gb 6-69 (McCullough) ​ (June 4, 2026) To explore the cost and feasibility of implementing a digital hall pass system in all secondary schools similar to, or the same as, the one being piloted at Worcester Tech. Recommendation: Refer to Administration gb 6-70 (Clerk) ​ (June 4, 2026) Policy JKAA To review and adopt policy JKAA (Physical Restraint of Students) to align with new state regulations. DESE requires this policy and the accompanying procedures to be in place by August 17, 2026. Recommendation: Refer to Operations and Governance gb 6-71 (Clerk) ​ (June 4, 2026) Policy JICFB To review and update, if necessary, Policy JICFB (Bullying Prevention), in accordance with M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O), requiring biennial review of such. ​ Recommendation: Refer to Operations and Governance P. Announcements Meeting Dates: -June 8, 2026, Standing Committee for Operations and Governance, 20 Irving Street, Room 410 -June 11, 2026, Standing Committee for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, 5:00 p.m., 20 Irving Street, Room 410. Q.​ Adjournment Kristi Turgeon, Clerk of the School Committee