WORCESTER - The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is giving some insight into what the upcoming school year could look like.

They sent a seven page memo to superintendents and other school leaders about reopening in the fall.

Classrooms could have 10 students or less, there would physical distancing, and mandatory masks. But for districts like Worcester, with tens of thousands of students, some are concerned how it will work.

School Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick says new numbers show Worcester will need more than $12 million to reopen under the guidelines. She's putting an item on next week’s school committee agenda about a petition recognizing this as an unfunded mandate.

"We’re not supposed to have unfunded mandates, so what’s your answer? You can't just hand this down and say you have to go do this without recognizing that there are additional costs involved. I'm seeing united action across the state on that and I think we need to start rousing the legislature on this because as far as I can tell, the executive branch doesn't seem to understand the directive they're handing down. The money has to come from somewhere and we don't have it," says O’Connell Novick.

School is expected to start August 27th in Worcester for teachers and two days later for students. O’Connell Novick says leaders need to develop a plan sooner, rather than later.