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Wachusett committee hears myCAP/early college update, accepts schedule review with DESE partner and advances several policies
Summary
Superintendent and pathway specialist described myCAP rollout, School Links adoption and early‑college partnerships (including Anna Maria College) with a reported 97% myCAP completion for grades 6–11; the committee approved first readings of naming and vandalism policies, referred multiple finance policies to subcommittee, and accepted a DESE‑sponsored schedule analysis with Better Lesson.
The Wachusett Regional School District Committee received a report on career and academic planning, early‑college and pathway expansions and approved several routine policy actions at its meeting on Sept. 22.
Dr. Becky DeMarco, the district's college, career and pathway specialist, described the myCAP (career and academic planning) rollout across grades 6–12 and the district's adoption of the School Links platform to track students' myCAP progress. DeMarco said grades 6–11 achieved a 97% completion rate in the most recent rollout and that the district now operates nine career‑connection pathways, has added innovation career pathways and is piloting early college dual‑enrollment offerings, largely in partnership with Anna Maria College.
DeMarco said early college and dual‑enrollment credits are aligned with Massachusetts' MassTransfer goals and are designed to be highly transferable; the accepting institution ultimately determines how credits apply. She and the superintendent emphasized that the district will continue to offer traditional high‑school coursework, expand AP and dual‑enrollment options, and provide exploratory experiences so students are not locked into choices too early.
Superintendent Dr. Riley announced the district has been identified by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a free schedule analysis partnership with Better Lesson. The vendor will analyze high‑school schedules (and possibly middle‑school schedules) to improve equity and opportunities—particularly for English learners and students with disabilities—and will provide model schedules and implementation support. Principal Mike Pratt and other school leaders will participate in the work.
On administrative matters, the committee approved the regular meeting minutes of Sept. 8, 2025; moved forward policy 7‑161 (support operations — naming of school property and grounds) for first reading after confirming alignment with MASA guidance; approved for first reading an updated vandalism policy (7‑159) that adds documentation and accountability language (the chair abstained from that vote); and referred a package of finance‑related policies (warrants, deposits and investments, bonded employees/officers, student activity fee schedule, student activity funds, town assessment payments and budget policy) to the Business & Finance subcommittee for review. Roll‑call votes were taken as recorded in the meeting.
The committee also noted upcoming logistics: family‑teacher conference portals opening (preK–8 on Sept. 24; high school Oct. 1–24), MCAS family portal access via PowerSchool when DESE launches the service, subcommittee meeting schedules and the CPAC general membership meeting online on Sept. 24.
The meeting concluded with routine subcommittee reports and adjournment.
