The Worcester Public Schools Admissions & Equity Subcommittee on Feb. 13 approved sending meeting minutes demonstrating school committee support to the Massachusetts School Building Authority so Burncoat High School can consider Chapter 74 vocational-technical programs as part of its MSBA feasibility process.

The vote advances an MSBA requirement. Will Foley, who presented the update, said the Burncoat project is in MSBA Module 1 and that MSBA requires documentation of school committee support — such as meeting minutes that include vote language — to consider Chapter 74 programs during the feasibility and design process.

Why it matters: Chapter 74 is the state-approved vocational-technical program framework that governs technical education offerings. Demonstrated committee support allows Burncoat to remain eligible to study and, later, select potential vocational clusters during later MSBA modules.

What the district said

"This is really in the very early phases," Foley said, noting the site is currently in module 1 and that decisions about specific programs would be refined in Module 3 of the MSBA process. The backup materials provided to members list a range of career clusters Burncoat is considering; final choices will be made later in the feasibility study process.

Committee discussion and vote

Members asked about the Module 3 timeline and how many programs the school might carry. Foley said the district does not yet have a calendar for Module 3 but will provide one when available. Committee members noted that offering more than four full programs could require scheduling changes and programmatic adjustments at the new school.

The subcommittee moved to approve and file the item so that the relevant language and vote outcome can be included in the MSBA submittal. A roll-call vote recorded four "yes" votes: Vice Chair Alvarez; Member Benito; Member Mailman; and Chair Alex Guardiola. The motion passed.

Next steps

District staff said they will provide the committee with Module 3 timing when available, continue planning with Burncoat stakeholders, and include committee minutes in the MSBA submission so the project can be considered for Chapter 74 program inclusion.

Ending

Foley said the district will return with additional updates as the MSBA process moves forward.