Concerns about classroom technology and the future of the district’s Office of Equity dominated public comment on Thursday night as Worcester Public Schools held a hearing on its proposed $623.7 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
The proposed spending plan totals $623.7 million, including a general fund budget of $557.4 million, an increase of $34.4 million over the current year. WPS Chief Financial Officer Sara Consalvo presented a brief summary of highlights from the budget, including its commitment to smaller class sizes and support for a variety of programs, including increased library access and building maintenance investments, while acknowledging the impact of inflation, federal funding cuts and rising operating costs.
The main purpose of the hearing, however, was to collect public input on the proposed spending plan. Most speakers focused on the district’s continued investment in technology as a learning tool and apparent changes involving the Office of Equity, Cultivation, and Recruitment, which many referred to simply as the Office of Equity.
Within the budget document, current Office of Equity Director Caleb Encarnacion-Rivera, who is still listed as director on the district’s website, is identified as assistant director of equity, recruitment and retention. Executive Director of the Latino Education Institute Dr. Maria A. Juncos-Gautier was one of several speakers who said the change appeared inconsistent with the district’s stated commitments to equity and inclusion.
“This is a deeply concerning decision,” Juncos-Gautier said. “The Office of Equity represents an important commitment by the Worcester Public Schools to education equity, inclusion, belonging and culturally responsive practices for all students. Eliminating or reducing the visibility and authority of this office sends the wrong message at a time when public education systems across the country are being tested politically and ideologically.”
The potential changes to the Office of Equity were also criticized by a representative of the Worcester NAACP. Several speakers said they were seeking clarification about whether the change reflected a restructuring of the office or a reduction in its authority.
The district’s continued investment in technology was another point of contention. Several parents continued a recent trend of criticizing the district’s reliance on technology, particularly for younger students, and urged school officials to place greater emphasis on face-to-face learning and human interaction.
One speaker, Feanna Jattan-Singh, said research shows excessive screen time can hinder rather than help student development.
“The World Health Organization, the Academy of American Pediatrics have published a large body of research of how excessive screentime may affect children, especially under the age of five,” Jattan-Singh said. “Several studies found that high amounts of screen exposure in toddlers and preschools are associated with delayed language development and weakened communication skills. One reason is that screens can replace face-to-face interaction, conversation, and play with caregivers which are critical for early brain development. Research also shows young children learn less effectively from videos than from real human interaction.”
Other speakers questioned whether the district’s technology investments are producing meaningful academic gains. Concerns about artificial intelligence also surfaced briefly, while one speaker outlined what they believed could be significant savings through reduced spending on iPads and a lower reliance on Chromebooks.
The hearing was limited to public comment and did not include responses from school committee members or Superintendent Brian Allen.
The school committee continues its review of the budget during meetings on June 4 and 17 before taking final action on the spending plan.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has more than 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
