Worcester LGBTQIA+ Commission Approves Minutes, Hears Schools Pride Council Presentation

Other Committee · Meeting of July 1, 2026

Worcester's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Commission heard a first-time presentation from Worcester Public Schools on the district's new Pride Family Advisory Council at its July 1 meeting. Casey Starr, the district's Director of Family and Community Engagement, told the commission that the Pride Family Advisory Council, incorporated in the 2024-25 school year and now fully family-led, is among the first such councils in Massachusetts and has already prompted districtwide changes including updated permission slip language replacing "son or daughter" with "student." Starr said the district has used the state's free Safe Schools Program to train school adjustment counselors, deans, nurses, all wraparound coordinators, and all assistant principals, and said the council's top priority for the coming year is ensuring every secondary school maintains an active GSA. Chief Equity Officer Kevin Levancy, who attended the meeting, pledged to address the issue of members who have not been showing up, telling the commission, "We really rely on your voices, your experience to let us know what's happening in the community." The commission's next meeting is tentatively set for August 5 at City Hall, with a public health focus under discussion.

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Roll Call
• Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
• Planning Future Agenda Topics
• Worcester Public Schools Pride Family Advisory Council Presentation
• Administrative Business and Adjournment
• Who Was There
• The complete report — 2,409 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 1, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.