Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
Multilingual Learner Coordinator Rania Caldwell told the school committee the district used a roughly $267,000 DESE grant to buy high-quality ESL materials and licenses, added coaches and interpreters, and reported gains in student language progress and full compliance with DESE monitoring.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
After public comment from the Woburn Teachers Association and parents urging calendar changes for family stability and equitable access to transportation, the committee approved the 2026–27 school calendar (180 student days); members asked administration to consider inclusive holiday language and review half-day scheduling.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
The committee held first reading of a JC attendance-areas 'buffer zone' policy to allow administrators to assign new enrollees (primarily kindergarten) to different schools to ease capacity pressures; the policy was tabled for more public outreach and scheduled for further discussion and action in late February/March.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
The committee approved updates to the Program of Studies that add a state‑driven personal financial literacy requirement for juniors, new elective courses, and expanded dual‑enrollment offerings with UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College; handbook and graduation‑requirement policy changes will proceed through subcommittees.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
After debate over Good Friday, bargaining impacts and public review, the committee’s roll‑call vote rejected the proposed 2026–27 school calendar; members voted to place the calendar on the next meeting agenda for further public input and resolution.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
The committee approved dedications recognizing long-serving educator Mr. Dougherty and Superintendent Joe Crowley, voted to add supporting letters to the public record and noted a member’s recusal from the Crowley vote to avoid an appearance of impropriety.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
Students and director Noah Thomas shared recent wins — a sellout musical run and METG competition hosting — and asked the committee to consider using rental revenue for auditorium upkeep; administration flagged $80,000 in lighting needs and staff will inventory maintenance before a planned retirement.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
CPAC updated the committee on outreach and supports — a sensory-friendly 'chill zone', virtual walkthrough of WPS special education services, free Sarah Ward presentation Jan. 21, a Feb. 26 IEP-focused workshop and a March 25 college and transition fair for students with disabilities.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
The committee authorized the chair to seek city council placement for an MSBA Statement of Interest to pursue a combined North Woburn school; resources subcommittee flagged buffer-zone policy work to address capacity with a goal for March completion and asked the committee to clarify a request to name a conference room after the late Joe Crowley (official vote deferred).
Massachusetts / School Boards / Woburn Public Schools
After public testimony and staff presentations, the Woburn School Committee voted 5–1 to institute buffer ("gray") zones for elementary school assignments in 2026–27, grandfathering current students and applying new maps only to new enrollments; committee deferred middle-school changes until next year.