WORCESTER—Longstanding calls for change to the Worcester Public Schools district policies regarding volunteers allowed in city schools could soon be answered after the school committee sent the existing policy to subcommittee for review.
The motion came after a series of emotional pleas from members of the public who feel the current policy doesn’t do enough to limit access for individuals deemed a potential risk to students.
The district’s Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance (FOG) had recently discussed the volunteer staff policy on Nov. 10 when they approved additional language allowing the superintendent, or a designee, to be the final decision maker for approving or denying a volunteer beyond a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check. However, after the public outcry showed demand for even more revisions, the school committee chose to return the document to FOG.
Those who spoke showed concern with transparency and if the current policies are too lenient. Questions were posed about taking the policy beyond CORI checks to include SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) checks and individuals that were the subjects of child abuse accusations and 51A reports.
Several citizens leaned on the case of former principal and school committee member John Monfredo as an example. Monfredo was the subject of sexual assault accusations in the mid-90s. He was eventually allowed to resume his duties at Belmont School after an investigation deemed there was insufficient evidence to pursue the case.
However, his alleged victim Heather Prunier has continued to advocate on behalf of students and was a vocal driving force urging the school committee to “do better.”
“It is clear to me that whatever policy permitted a man with a substantiated claim of child rape to return to work as a principal at a school with one of the most vulnerable student populations in the city was a failure,” Prunier said. “Whatever policy allowed him to continue to walk into any school anytime he liked for decades, even after new details of his crimes became public in 2023, also deserves scrutiny.”
Calls to revise the policy came from within the school committee two years ago courtesy of member Sue Mailman, who was supportive of the move to send the policy back to FOG.
“We have a bunch of people that gave very impassioned speeches here today and talked about a very important item,” said Mailman. “They talked about us not addressing the elephant in the room and I think they are right.” She added she would like the policy to be more “robust and comprehensive.”
While committee members were sympathetic to the public’s concerns, one urged caution as FOG prepares to examine the policy further. Member Maureen Binienda, a former Worcester superintendent, noted that the changes wouldn’t involve just one or a few people. They impact anyone wishing to volunteer even if it’s a parent with a decades-old criminal record.
“This is making a legal decision that affects people’s reputation,” said Binienda. “We’re also making a legal decision that affects parents and whether they can be involved in their child’s school.”
She motioned that FOG consult legal counsel in their review of the policy and provide guardrails for Superintendent Brian Allen for when he is required to make decisions regarding turning away volunteers.
The item now reverts to FOG, which examines the policy in full, forms recommendations for changes and brings a refined document back to the school committee for future consideration.
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. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
