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School committee approves petition to hold March 30 public hearing on multiple innovation plans
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Summary
The Springfield School Committee voted to approve a petition to hold a public hearing on March 30, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to consider several proposed innovation plans for district schools; the superintendent recommended the hearing and the motion passed 6–0 with one member absent.
The Springfield School Committee voted to approve a petition to hold a public hearing on March 30, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to consider a slate of proposed innovation plans for district schools.
Superintendent Dr. Denaul Fields, after thanking principals and staff, recommended that the committee approve the petition required under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 92. "It is my recommendation, and I'm in full support of the vote to approve the petition to hold a public hearing on 03/30/2026 at 05:30PM pursuant to MGL c71 §92 on the following items," he said, referencing the list read aloud by the presiding official.
The list of proposals the committee put forward for the hearing included: a High School Commerce Innovation Plan; Aspire Academy Innovation Plan; Discovery Polytech Early College innovation plan; Rise Prep Early College innovation plan; Chestnut Accelerated Middle School TAD innovation plan; John J. Duggan Academy innovation plan; Van Sickle Academy innovation plan; and Springfield Honors Academy and Spring Hill Honors Academy proposals tied to the high school campus. The petition asks the school committee to schedule a public hearing so community members can provide comment on those plans.
Vice Chair Rona Naylor moved to approve the petition; member Crawford seconded. Clerk Kurtz conducted a roll-call vote required by law: Member Valentin — Yes; Member Crawford — Yes; Member Hurst — Absent; Mr. Gomez — Yes; Member Gresham — Yes; Vice Chair Rona Naylor — Yes; Mayor Sarno — Yes. The motion carried, 6–0 with one absence.
Following the vote, the presiding official announced a brief recess and said the committee would reconvene at 5:30 p.m. for the public hearing and the committee’s final vote on any items that arise from the hearing. "We'll re-up again at 05:30 for the public hearing, and then the final vote," the presiding official said.
The petition and vote initiate the formal public notice and hearing process under MGL c.71, §92; any final action on individual innovation plans will depend on the record established at that hearing and any subsequent committee deliberations.
