Worcester Group Cries Foul On Charter School's Catholic Diocese Lease

WORCESTER, MA — A group opposed to a new charter school proposed in Worcester is asking for a state investigation into the would-be public school's ties to the Catholic church, citing fears the charter school would have to obey religious doctrine.

The proposed Worcester Cultural Academy — backed by Old Sturbridge Village — would lease the former St. Joseph's School at 81 Plantation St. The group Free Worcester is highlighting a section of the lease that appears to give Worcester Diocese Bishop Robert McManus power over what goes on at the school.

"Neither Lessee nor any of its employees, servants, agents or invitees shall make any use of the [building] which would be inconsistent with the doctrines or teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, as determined by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester in his ecclesiastical capacity of Ordinary of the Diocese of Worcester in his sole discretion," the pertinent section says.

McManus has recently used his sway to strip the Nativity School of Worcester of its Catholic affiliation after school leaders declined to take down LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter flags.

Old Sturbridge Village CEO James Donahue said the proposed charter school's lease is no different from other public entities that rent space from the Worcester Diocese, including the city and Worcester Public Schools.

"If our understanding is incorrect, we will certainly address it," Donahue said in a written statement. "Once the school is approved, we will review the terms with the Diocese once more to ensure they are acceptable to them and to us. We expect the Worcester Cultural Academy, an independent charter public school, to be a diverse, inclusive, and accessible school where all students, families, and staff are welcome and comfortable."

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education still has to approve the school's charter before it can open. Free Worcester wants the state to investigate the Diocese lease as part of the approval process. The group also said it's alarming the lease wasn't disclosed ahead of a public hearing in December at Quinsigamond Community College about the proposed school.

"We are alarmed that a purportedly secular school who is promising to provide a unique educational experience has not informed the public or parents at large that the education they are promising would be limited by what the Catholic Church considers to be acceptable discourse and teachings," Free Worcester representative Brian Mulhearn said in a news release.

Plans for the Worcester Free Academy have drawn widespread criticism. Both the Worcester City Council and Worcester School Committee held votes opposing the school. Opponents have expressed two main concerns: that the charter school would take an estimated $7 million per year away from city schools, and that — like other charter schools — it wouldn't answer to a publicly elected board like public schools do.

DESE is expected to make a decision on whether to grant the school's charter in early 2023. The former St. Joseph's School closed in the 1970s, but has been leased by local groups, including the Seven Hills Foundation's YOU, Inc.