Show submenu for Careers
Show submenu for Departments & Offices
School Committee
Show submenu for Students & Families
Show submenu for Learning
Calendar
Show submenu for Portals
Show submenu for

Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity Position Added to FY27 Budget Proposal

Worcester Public Schools

June 4, 2026

Media Contact:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Worcester Public Schools

Statement from Worcester Public Schools:
Creation of Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity Position in FY27 Budget

WORCESTER — Thursday, June 4, 2026 — Supporting our students, staff, families, and community partners through an equity lens remains a priority and core value of the Worcester Public Schools. The Worcester Public Schools fully embraces each of the district's five core values: belonging, respect, inclusivity, collaboration, and equity. As part of the Superintendent’s entry plan, a cornerstone guiding principle was to place equity at the center, ensuring that every decision advances equitable outcomes for students.

While the work of equity-based initiatives will continue next year, the FY27 Recommended Budget of the Worcester Public Schools includes a reorganization of several administrative positions, including a title change (not an elimination) of a position within the Equity Office in the Office of Human Resources. 

Based on feedback from several community members and to reinforce the district’s commitment to support equity-based initiatives, the Superintendent will recommend a reallocation of administrative salaries to fund a Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity position in the FY27 Budget. This position will be funded through an upcoming vacancy in another administrative position. This position will report directly to the Superintendent of Schools and be a cabinet-level position. By doing this, in addition to the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Engagement, and Equity, the other district-level positions for equity will increase from the current year of one senior-level position to two senior-level positions- a Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and an Assistant Director of Equity, Recruitment, and Retention next year.  

The Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Engagement, and Equity and the Assistant Director of Equity, Recruitment, and Retention will focus on all aspects of hiring practices, recruitment, and compliance. The Chief of Equity, Access, and Opportunity will:

  • have cross-departmental oversight and focus on the implementation of culturally responsive practices in curriculum and instruction

  • oversee family and community engagement activities including student and family advisory councils 

  • assist in the allocation of resources with an equity lens

  • support the district’s initiative around school boundary alignment

  • support of restorative practices implementation

  • support the district’s Grow Your Own teacher pipeline initiative

  • support equity-based social-emotional learning, as well as support all other equity-based initiatives within the district’s strategic plan. 

Upon the School Committee's approval of the FY27 Budget later this month, the Superintendent will advertise this position with the intent to fill it before the start of the 2026-27 school year. 

###