Current Chronically Underperforming Districts

About Southbridge Public Schools

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education placed Southbridge Public Schools in chronically underperforming status on January 26, 2016. Commissioner Chester and the Receiver released the district's Turnaround Plan on June 24, 2016. On January 19, 2018, Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson named Dr. Jeffrey Villar as Receiver for the district. On November 15, 2019, Commissioner Riley renewed the district's turnaround plan and continued the district in chronically underperforming status for an additional three-year period. On July 13, 2021, Commissioner Riley removed the label and reference to "Master Teacher" in chronically underperforming school and district turnaround plans and replaced it with "Expert Teacher." On November 22, 2022, the Commissioner renewed the district's turnaround plan for an additional three years.

• Southbridge Renewed Turnaround Plan — English, November 22, 2022

• Southbridge Renewed Turnaround Plan — Spanish, November 22, 2022

• Removal of terminology from Turnaround Plans, July 13, 2021

• Southbridge Renewed Turnaround Plan — English, November 15, 2019

• Southbridge Renewed Turnaround Plan — Spanish, November 15, 2019

• Southbridge Receivership Letter

• Southbridge Public Schools turnaround plan and status continuation letter

• Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson's Letter to Southbridge Community — English

• Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson's Letter to Southbridge Community — Spanish

• Southbridge Public Schools Chronically Underperforming Turnaround Plan — English

• Southbridge Public Schools Chronically Underperforming Turnaround Plan — Spanish

• Southbridge Local Stakeholders Group (LSG) Recommendations

• Recomendaciones del Grupo Local de Partes Interesadas de Southbridge

• Commissioner Chester's Letter to Parents and Residents of Southbridge

• Carta del Comisionado Chester a los Padres y Residentes de Southbridge

• January 26, 2016 Press Release: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Declares Southbridge Public Schools "Chronically Underperforming"

• Profile for Southbridge Public Schools

• Southbridge: Frequently Asked Questions — English

• Southbridge: Frequently Asked Questions — Spanish

About Lawrence Public Schools

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education placed the Lawrence School District in Chronically Underperforming in November 2011, the first district in the state to be designated chronically underperforming. In January 2012, the Commissioner named Mr. Jeff Riley as Receiver for the district. On May 30, 2012, the Commissioner and Receiver released a Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan for Lawrence. On May 29, 2015, the Commissioner renewed Lawrence's Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan. On April, 5, 2018, Mr. Riley was sworn in as the next commissioner of elementary and secondary education. On April 18, 2018, Commissioner Riley named the Lawrence Alliance for Education (LAE) as receiver for Lawrence Public Schools. On July 13, 2021, Commissioner Riley removed the label and reference to "Master Teacher" in chronically underperforming school and district turnaround plans and replaced it with "Expert Teacher." On January 12, 2022 the Commissioner renewed Lawrence's Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan for an additional three years. On August 24, 2022, the Commissioner named an interim Chair to the Lawrence Alliance for Education. On March 28, 2023, the Commissioner announced that the state delegation representing Lawrence would recommend four new LAE members to him for appointment to the LAE. On January 10, 2025, Acting Commissioner Johnston announced that the Lawrence Public Schools Turnaround Plan will be extended and remain in effect until January 12, 2026.

• Lawrence Public Schools Turnaround Plan Extension — January 10, 2025

• Lawrence Public Schools Turnaround Plan Extension — Spanish, January 10, 2025

• Commissioner announces additional LAE member and LAE Chair — June 9, 2023

• Commissioner announces additional LAE member and LAE Chair — Spanish, June 9, 2023

• Commissioner announces change in LAE membership — May 4, 2023

• Commissioner announces change in LAE membership — Spanish, May 4, 2023

• Commissioner announces upcoming change in LAE membership — March 28, 2023

• Commissioner announces upcoming change in LAE membership — Spanish, March 28, 2023

• The Commissioner named an interim Chair to the Lawrence Alliance for Education — August 24, 2022

• Lawrence Public Schools Renewed Turnaround Plan — January 12, 2022

• Lawrence Public Schools Renewed Turnaround Plan — Spanish, January 12, 2022

• Removal of terminology from Turnaround Plans, July 13, 2021

• Lawrence Public Schools Accountability Status

• Lawrence Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Executive Summary — English

• Lawrence Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Executive Summary — Spanish

• Lawrence Alliance for Education (LAE) as receiver for Lawrence Public Schools — April 18, 2018

• Renewed Lawrence Public Schools Turnaround Plan — May 29, 2015

• Lawrence Public Schools Turnaround Plan — May 30, 2012

• Education Commissioner Chester Approves Lawrence Turnaround Plan that Empowers Schools and Maximizes the Rapid Improvement of Academic Achievement for All Students

• November 29, 2011 Press Release: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Declares Lawrence Public Schools as "Chronically Underperforming"

• January 11, 2012 Press Release: Education Commissioner Chester Appoints Jeffrey C. Riley as Receiver for the Lawrence Public Schools

• Commissioner Chester's Letter to Parents and Residents of Lawrence

• Carta del Comisionado Chester a los Padres y Residentes de Lawrence

• Profile for Lawrence Public Schools

Last Updated: July 3, 2025