WORCESTER – The Worcester School Committee voted on two items in executive session on Thursday night that mark an end to Maureen Binienda’s tenure as Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools [WPS] at the completion of the current academic year.
Binienda’s contract expires on June 30, 2022.
The School Committee first voted not to renew Binienda’s contract. One committee member voted to oppose the motion to decline to renew the contract.
The Committee then voted to begin a nationwide search for a new WPS Superintendent.
The School Committee agenda for the September 2 indicated Binienda may not be offered a contract. Mayor Joe Petty, who is the chairman of the School Committee, added an item to the agenda that read:
To consider options, if necessary, to begin the process and engage with a search consultant to conduct a national search to recruit and hire a Superintendent of schools for the Worcester Public Schools with an effective start date of JULY 1, 2022. Prior to the commencement of the search process, the School Committee, in collaboration with the consultant, will develop and implement a comprehensive, inclusive, public process to solicit input from all members of the Worcester community regarding the needs of the district and the characteristics and skillsets required in the next Superintendent of schools.
According to Spectrum News 1, the school committee first voted in its executive session, which began at 5 PM, to decline to offer Binienda an extension.
Binienda has worked within WPS for over 45 years and became superintendent in 2016.
Watch the full school committee meeting here:
