WORCESTER—A petition filed by the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) in support of a “Yes on 2” on this fall’s state ballot that would eliminate the MCAS test as a graduation requirement received a thumb’s up from the Worcester School Committee at Thursday night’s meeting—its first of the new calendar year.
The other major item of business was Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez’s regular report, which was highlighted by mention of safety enhancements that have been put in place for 2024-25 including vestibules at the Belmont Street, Chandler, Elm Park and McGrath elementary schools. These, she said, provide “a layer of protection.”
Monárrez said “reunification training” will prove to be an asset in confronting a “what will this look like” situation if, “God forbid, we had to evacuate and lock down.” She referenced the recent school shooting tragedy in Georgia in citing the importance of safely reuniting teachers, students and families in the aftermath of an unfortunate incident.
Superintendent Monárrez explained that the school district will partner with the I Love You Guys Foundation to establish an operational agreement with the Worcester Police Department. This partnership is vital because the police department is currently understaffed and unable to assign School Liaison Officers (SLOs) to the district. The agreement will help address safety needs in the absence of dedicated officers.
Monárrez also shared enrollment numbers, retirement and resignation numbers (46 and 170) along with word that the district’s transportation apparatus is “fully staffed.”
She said overall staffing in the district is at 98.12 percent, up by 2.17 from a year ago.
Committee member Dianna Biancheria asked for and received from the superintendent an affirmation that no SLOS is “because there aren’t enough police officers.”
Committee member Maureen Binienda asked if “80 educators and 30 paras” who are departing were given exit interviews, and was assured that a process is in effect for this to happen.
Biancheria inquired about 14 students from North and four from South receiving diplomas without having passed the MCAS test and “how can we get that 14 down to one, or zero?’
Early in the meeting, WPS students from the Jesse Burkett Little League softball team were recognized for making it to the 12U regional semifinals, finishing third.
Commending the players, Molly McCullough said “not only did we sign up for ESPN+, we were at watch nights at Scruffy Murphy’s.”
Public comment from several speakers in favor of “Yes on 2” preceded testimony from Melissa Verdier, president of the EAW. Verdier read the EAW’s petition, describing the MCAS test as “punitive” and not conducive to fostering an environment of creative and critical thinking.” The test does not allow scholars to reach their full potential, she said.
Verdier used as an example a student who didn’t pass the test and “came back five years to finally” obtain the grade he needed.
Some sophomores frustrated with the test “say that’s it, and drop out,” she said.
Committee members who addressed the matter were generally supportive of “Yes on 2.”
Alex Guardiola noted that “education is the best equalizer. The current model is not perfect. Without a plan to replace [the MCAS test] I can’t support” getting rid of it.
Without the MCAS test, “there are no plans in place to assess” a student’s qualifications for a diploma, Binienda said.
Biancheria’s move to hold the item for further discussion was voted down, and the petition passed on a 6-2 vote.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
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