Dear Worcester Public Schools Community,
As our scholars, families and staff begin a well-deserved summer break, I am writing to share that the Worcester School Committee passed the district’s fiscal year 2025 budget on Thursday, June 20.
What will be different next school year for my children?
On average, classroom sizes will increase by two students.
Your child may see new faces at their school as staff movement is taking place.
High schools will have 1-2 additional Climate and Culture Assistants to support out-of-classroom time. A Culture and Climate Assistant will be staffed at the front desk of each high school.
Middle Schools will have a Dean of Students hired to provide leadership in climate, culture and behavioral needs at the school level.
Middle Schools will have 2 Climate and Culture Assistants to support out of classroom time.
Transportation is hiring 5 additional drivers to continue to improve services.
What will be the same next year for my children?
Elementary schools will continue to have art, music, physical education, world language and technology programming each week.
Sports at the middle and high school level will continue without any reductions to current offerings.
High schools will continue to offer Advanced Placement courses and other college and career pathways options.
All schools will have school adjustment counselors (SACs), nurses and middle and high schools will have guidance counselors.
All schools will have wrap around coordinators to support student and family needs.
In my 30 years of working in education, this budget reduction process has been one of the most challenging situations I have faced. Still I know, for the dedicated educators and staff whose positions are being reduced, this situation is much more difficult for them.
WPS will emerge on solid ground because we continue to develop and strengthen necessary systems and infrastructure to ensure children are learning and staff are thriving. The 2025 school year budget is rooted in Our Promise to the Future, the district’s five-year strategic plan, to ensure our scholars will be future-ready and successful.
Thank you to the community for your ongoing support in good times and in bad. Have a restful and relaxing summer filling your heart, mind and soul with all that is good.
Sincerely,
Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools