Worcester Schools Plans New Cabinet-Level Equity Position

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Public Schools said it plans to create a new cabinet-level equity position in its FY27 budget following feedback from community members.

The Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity position would directly report to the superintendent and is intended to be filled before the start of the 2026-27 school year, if the budget is approved by the School Committee. The superintendent will recommend reallocating administrative salaries to fund the role, according to the school district.

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Worcester Schools said the position would be funded through an upcoming vacancy in another administrative role. The district described the move as part of a broader reorganization of administrative positions, including a title change within the Equity Office in the Office of Human Resources.

The new position would give the district two senior-level equity roles next school year: the Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and an Assistant Director of Equity, Recruitment, and Retention, according to the district. The district currently has only one senior-level equity position.

In the reorganization, the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Engagement, and Equity and the Assistant Director of Equity, Recruitment, and Retention will focus on hiring practices, recruitment and compliance.

The Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity would oversee equity work across departments, including culturally responsive practices in curriculum and instruction, family and community engagement, student and family advisory councils and resource allocation, according to the district.

The role would also support school boundary alignment, restorative practices, the district’s Grow Your Own teacher pipeline initiative, equity-based social-emotional learning and other equity-based initiatives in the district’s strategic plan.

Worcester Public Schools said supporting students, staff, families and community partners through an equity lens remains a priority and core value for the district.

See Also:

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