WORCESTER – Free Worcester, a coalition of local activist groups, issued a statement on Jan. 7, calling on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to suspend consideration of the Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School proposed on Plantation Street and investigate its relationship with the Diocese of Worcester.
According to Free Worcester, the school leased the proposed location for the school, at 81 Plantation St., from the Diocese of Worcester, in the former home of You, Inc. The building is adjacent to the location of Holy Family Parish and Saint Joseph’s Church, at 35 Hamilton St.
The lease agreement between the Worcester Diocese and Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School includes the following language, according to Free Worcester.
“Neither Lessee nor any of its employees, servants, agents or invitees shall make any use of the Premises 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 Worcester Diocese Bishop is Robert McManus.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Worcester was not familiar with the details of the individual lease agreement with the school, but said the clause is consistent with Diocese standard practice to prohibit the lease of sale of property “involved in any endeavor which would be contrary to our faith.”
The Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School is a program by Old Sturbridge Village. It currently operates Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School in Sturbridge. The school has said previously its curriculum would be secular.
James Donahue, President & CEO of Old Sturbridge Village, released the following statement to ThisWeekinWorcester.com.
“We have had a productive relationship with the Diocese of Worcester and are excited about all of the possibilities that the Plantation Street building can present for our students, families, educators, and the neighborhood.
Our understanding is that the language in the proposed lease is standard for all Diocesan building leases, including those with the City of Worcester for the Worcester Public Schools, which leases space from this same parish, and should not place any restrictions on our curriculum or our operations. If our understanding is incorrect, we will certainly address it.
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.”
Free Worcester said DESE collected public comments as part of its decision-making process, but all relevant information was not made available to the public.
Lead image: 81 Plantation St., Worcester/ThisWeekinWorcester.com
