WORCESTER—The Worcester School Committee returns to City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 5, with a meeting that blends long-running structural questions — from school construction funding to classroom technology use — with a slate of recognitions, grants and calendar discussions that touch nearly every corner of the district.
Before turning to public business, the committee meets in executive session to discuss several collective bargaining matters and a pending Open Meeting Law complaint. The complaint, filed by Robert Contois against the school committee, will be considered alongside strategy for successor contract negotiations with multiple bargaining units within the Educational Association of Worcester, including Units A/B, paraeducators, aides, monitors and drivers.
The committee chair determined that discussing these matters in open session could harm the committee’s bargaining position.
A look at MSBA funding and process
Among the most consequential items on the agenda is a request from committee member Sue Mailman calling for unanimous support of legislation filed by state Sen. Robyn Kennedy that would create a commission to study the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s funding and award process.
The legislation, S.390, seeks to examine how the MSBA evaluates, prioritizes and funds school construction projects statewide. Support for such a review comes as Worcester continues laying the plans for a new Burncoat High School and explores the possibility of an indoor track facility—projects that could hinge on MSBA participation.
Mailman’s request follows broader public discussion about whether communities such as Worcester are receiving equitable outcomes through the MSBA process. That issue was raised again earlier this week during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where both Mailman and Kennedy took the mic during the public comment period about the need for greater transparency and accountability in how school construction funding decisions are made.
State Senator Robyn Kennedy told the council, “We know that the current structure, the school building authority, despite the efforts by the board itself, is not adequately funding to meet the needs of our schools, not only here in the city but across the Commonwealth.”
She added that the new commission created by Senate Bill 390—now part of a fatter bill in the Senate Ways and Means Committee—would review the MSBA’s grant formula, construction cost reimbursement policies and capacity to fund future projects, including incentives for vocational education spaces. Kennedy stressed the importance of Worcester having “a specific representative from a gateway city” at the table to ensure the city’s needs are considered.
Mailman also weighed in, highlighting the impact of past funding decisions on local programs: “We lost an indoor track at South [High School] when it was rebuilt, and we weren’t able to do it because MSBA decided no more funding of indoor tracks. I think this, we should make a case for a city our size with the number of kids that we have,” she said. Mailman noted that regional options are limited for students and added, “I’ve got to believe we’re big enough to be able to support that. MSBA made the decision in 2018 to change the funding formulas to not allow it. And I think it’s nonsense.” She urged city leaders to join the school committee in advocating for greater flexibility in the MSBA funding process.
The school committee is expected to take up the matter under general business, with a recommendation to approve the resolution in support of the legislation.
Screen time, technology oversight and AI use
Also returning to the agenda is an ongoing discussion about technology use in Worcester classrooms, particularly at the elementary level.
Mailman has requested a response from the administration on creating a districtwide policy addressing “time on screen” for one-to-one devices across grade levels. That request builds on a previous update from the administration regarding the work of the district’s technology committee, including its software acquisition process, guidelines for device use and boundaries around when artificial intelligence tools are permitted in classrooms.
Both items are expected to be received and filed.
Other Highlights on the Agenda:
- From courts to cots: Member Molly McCullough asks the committee to send letters of thanks to Worcester Technical High School and Hopedale High School basketball teams and fans who helped set up emergency shelter cots after a game. This recognition is putting the spotlight on the collaborative spirit of students and the community in urgent situations.
- Musical achievements: McCullough also seeks council recognition for WPS students accepted into the Massachusetts All-State Music Festival, marking the highest number of acceptances for Worcester Public Schools to date—a milestone for the district’s music program.
- Longer holiday break?: Jermaine Johnson proposes that the 2026-27 school year calendar be adjusted to provide students with a full two-week Christmas break. Parents have lobbied for this adjustment, aiming for more downtime and a smoother holiday schedule. The committee is set to refer the request to administration for review.
- Grants supporting schools: Several donations are up for approval, including 200 “weekend food backpacks” from The Hanover Insurance Group for Burncoat-area schools, MassDOT bike racks, helmets, and locks for Grafton Street School, a $200 donation to South High’s Diesel Technology Program, and a $10,000 in-kind contribution from Eaton Company via Adoptaclassroom.org to support Sullivan Middle School.
- Academic recognition: McCullough (she’s busy this week!) also asks the committee to congratulate Doherty Senior Caleigh Moriarty, who has been named a Posse Scholar—a distinction recognizing academic excellence, leadership potential and community commitment. Moriarty will attend Bucknell University this fall.
The Worcester School Committee meets on Thursday, Feb. 5, at City Hall in the Esther Howland (south) Chamber at 4 p.m. It is also live streamed on the Worcester Public Schools’ website.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
