Standing Committee on Operations and Governance - 06/08/26

The Standing Committee on Operations and Governance of Worcester Public Schools met on June 8, 2026, to discuss updates to the district's bullying prevention policy and compliance with new state regulations on seclusion and timeout rooms. Administration presented recommended changes to align with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements, including enhanced communication protocols, training plans for staff, and restorative justice practices. The committee approved motions to hold student assemblies on bullying, receive updates on restorative mediation training, and obtain a list of schools with timeout rooms. Additionally, the committee discussed middle school sports expansion and transportation challenges, resulting in a motion to prioritize transportation issues in upcoming budget discussions. A $50,000 grant was noted for training related to timeout room use and de-escalation strategies. The meeting included several votes to approve and file policy updates and motions related to these topics.