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Wachusett committee approves several policy changes, refers major nondiscrimination rewrite to subcommittee
Summary
The school committee approved multiple policy amendments and donations on the consent agenda, adopted an intra‑district transfer policy and competency determination policy, and voted to send a revised nondiscrimination/harassment/retaliation policy back to the policy subcommittee for further legal and wording review.
At its regular meeting the Wachusett Regional School District Committee approved a package of routine items, debated several policy changes and referred a major nondiscrimination policy back to the policy subcommittee for further work.
The consent agenda—approved by roll call—included the minutes of Oct. 20, 2025, a $500 donation from the Holden Women’s Club to the Wachusett Closet, a $1,000 donation from Fidelity to the Thomas Prince Library and a $300 school‑supply contribution from McKesson to Mayo Elementary. The chair recorded an abstention and the motion passed.
The committee considered several policy readings and votes. It approved a second reading amendment to Policy 6637 (animals in schools) and a second reading amendment to Policy 4280 (gifts, grants and bequests). Members also discussed and amended Policy 7162 (sponsorship and advertising) to clarify language about advertising on local educational access channels; the amendment passed by roll call.
A lengthy discussion centered on Policy 1000, a revised nondiscrimination/harassment/retaliation policy the administration brought forward to align with Title IX and OCR guidance. Attorney/executive staff said the draft incorporated legal counsel edits and model language developed with MASC. Members raised multiple concerns about where "retaliation" is positioned in the text, the placement and visibility of legal references and the need for clearer grievance procedures. After discussion the committee voted to refer Policy 1000 back to the policy subcommittee for revision and legal reconciliation.
The committee also adopted Policy 6270 (intra‑district transfer), which clarifies application protocols and states that transportation for inter‑town transfers is generally the family’s responsibility, and Policy 1410 (new member orientation). In education policy votes tied to DESE guidance, the committee approved changes to graduation requirements and adopted a competency determination policy (Policy 3312) that specifies course requirements and alternative paths for demonstrating mastery in the absence of MCAS as a single high‑stakes measure.
During debate on the competency policy, administration emphasized multiple mastery pathways and accommodations for English language learners and students with disabilities. Superintendent Riley and school leaders said competency determinations are intended to ensure a student both completes required coursework and demonstrates mastery before a diploma is awarded; the policy also includes a safeguard that students eligible for special education must be determined to have received a free appropriate public education (FAPE) before a diploma is conferred.
The committee received subcommittee reports (business & finance, policy, legal affairs, facilities and management) and school council updates before adjourning. Where the body directed additional action, administrators committed to publishing procedures and legal references for the policies referred back to subcommittee and to provide future operational details to the committee.
Votes were recorded by roll call in the transcript; outcomes described above are taken from those recorded votes and motions.
