Monday, Feb. 27: Special School Committee Meeting on Proposed Charter School

For Immediate Release:
Friday, February 24, 2023

Contact:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Worcester Public Schools
Email; 774-525-1817 (cell)

MEDIA ADVISORY:
Worcester Superintendent Monárrez, School Committee to Share Comments
Over Proposed Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School

WORCESTER – Friday, February 24, 2023 – Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez and members of the Worcester School Committee will make public statements about the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School during a special meeting of the Worcester School Committee this Monday, February 27. (View meeting agenda.)

The meeting is scheduled for 4:15 PM in Room 410 of the Durkin Administration Building, 20 Irving St., Worcester. The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live online and on television via WEA-TV.

On Tuesday, February 28, at 9:00 AM, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is scheduled to vote on whether or not to approve the application of Worcester Charter Academy, which was submitted by Old Sturbridge Village, Inc.

The Worcester School Committee is holding the special meeting on Monday, prior to the state board meeting, to discuss whether to request the State Auditor and the Office of Inspector General to investigate the financial arrangement of Old Sturbridge Village, Inc., the Old Sturbridge Village Academy Charter School, and the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy.

Superintendent Monárrez, district and school leaders, parents, and several community members previously spoke in opposition of the proposed Worcester Cultural Academy charter school at a public hearing.

“The Worcester Cultural Academy proposal is financially motivated with many flaws, and will not serve the educational needs of the diverse student population of Worcester,” Dr. Monárrez said. “It is imperative that the Worcester School Committee, the families and community members of Worcester, our legislative delegation, and state Board of Education members understand the significant impact this plan could have on students.”

###