Wachusett Regional High principal outlines curriculum changes, pathways, hall-pass system and recruiter access

Principal Michael Pratt gave an extended report on programs and operational changes at Wachusett Regional High School, describing curriculum revisions, college‑partnership growth, the roll-out of a digital hall‑pass system and clarification of military recruiter procedures.

Pratt said the school revised its educational guide to emphasize three themes: building connections, maximizing instructional time and increasing opportunities and accessibility. New or revised offerings highlighted included a human growth and development course tied to educational pathways, a proposed mental‑health course, expanded unified (inclusive) courses in health, personal finance and fitness to replace some older adaptive/“exploring” PE labels, and a planned honors calculus offering to better align transcripts with college expectations. Pratt said the high school currently counts 273 students participating in early‑college or dual‑enrollment opportunities, and he announced an imminent articulation agreement with Anna Maria College and outreach to Quinsigamond Community College and WPI for further offerings.

Pratt described the district’s Innovative Pathways grants: a $50,000 sustainable grant for advanced manufacturing and a Part A grant for health care and social assistance; the school is preparing to apply for a business and finance pathway grant next year and to expand internship opportunities with local businesses. Pratt said he and counselors are revamping pathways advising materials so counselors can match students to more suitable fitness and career courses.

On student supports, Pratt discussed adoption of the DESE MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan) initiative and a districtwide switch from Naviance to SchoolLinks for career and college planning. He described SchoolLinks as better suited to students who are not college bound and said it will be used from grades 6–12 to help align future course offerings with student interests.

Operational changes Pratt summarized included online ticket sales (GoFan), development of an athletic handbook emphasizing conduct and MIAA rules, and continued preseason coach meetings. He also described the new Securly Pass digital hall‑pass system: a slow rollout began after winter break, with both kiosk and device modes. Pratt said early data the school collected showed some students were missing ‘‘30 to 40 minutes of instructional time a day’’ because of repeated out‑of‑class passes; the new pass system captures data administrators can use in conversations with families and staff to address excessive out‑of‑class time. Pratt and others emphasized that the system is being phased in, that teachers can use kiosk mode, and that administrative access to pass data is restricted.

Pratt clarified the district’s practice on military recruiters after public concerns at a previous meeting. He said military recruiters have the same access process as college recruiters — they make appointments through guidance — but the district does not allow uninvited tables in the cafeteria and does not permit recruiters to collect student data through unapproved means. Pratt said the district allows graduates who join the military to wear sashes at graduation and that an opt‑out process for families exists.

Student representatives and committee members asked about privacy, data security, link availability for the presentation materials and how new courses will be approved; Pratt and administration said vendor work uses an established vendor the district already contracts with for other alert services and that administrative accounts, not teachers or students, control pass‑data access. Committee members requested copies of Pratt’s slides and follow‑up reports on outcomes, pilot data, course approvals and internship development. No formal committee action was taken on the operational changes reported; several committee members praised the pathways and outreach work.