[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6368566,"mediaKeyId","2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db","parentId",2157007,"title","Votes at a glance: committee approves minutes, building committee nominees and several policy updates","audioSeconds",2375,"startMs",15000,"endMs",2390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db&start=15&end=2390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db/thumbnail_15000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6368566/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-minutes-building-committee-nominees-and-several-policy-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368566-1b171bad3976bf1506fefefa4ee9e3ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488507&Signature=BBm2bW1jIGqkY-rh3MaL4131skXs5uKARtuU9X5l0X0krZxULU~-XVbBr6PC~QhOIYhqslsjElaprZcwBc0IjIX9DFGMtjrHxzFqoPrGSDkz7xg9NEU-wvVts4HFkojAIrEYP0XL2LC6u559rBYwIU2eSzYoMvVyh86PJ3Zbirs5clPx1L9hpxC1JbXJ74l37f6UpmjdN3Vc8cWt2nBxUkGTDPnxkzScCr4QU93vwsuL~YNEqpjy~OimxVdystWNKwDntoYN7oZMonGUJ49UKx7UgYuF3U~xJ-y-YWiPH9pGMgZoW5JJ~vbdLLdVhml3kofUdXgYNsBeRTiTTPbHCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mendon-Upton Regional School District, MA","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","At the Jan. 27 meeting the Mendon-Upton Regional School Committee recorded several formal voice votes and motions.

What passed (voice votes unless noted):

- Approval of procedural agenda items and minutes for Jan. 27 and Jan. 6, 2025: Chair called for \"All in favor; Aye.\" The motions passed as recorded in the minutes.

- School building committee nominations: The committee moved, seconded and approved a slate of residents and district staff to serve on the school building committee to oversee the MSBA roof project and related capital work. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Policy approvals: The committee moved and approved four policies for second reading and waived the first reading for the bullying-prevention policy per DESE recommendation. The items advanced as recorded: school committee member orientation, school committee conferences/conventions/workshops, school committee legislative programs, security cameras and the bullying-prevention policy revision (JCIFB).

How votes were recorded: The transcript records chair calls for the vote and committee members answering \"Aye.\" No roll-call tallies were provided in the public portion of the transcript; decisions were recorded as committee voice votes.

Next steps: The building committee members will be notified and the district will attend the Feb. 5 MSBA scope-definition meeting. Policy updates will be processed according to district policy procedures and posted with meeting minutes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MURSD School Committee Meeting 1/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","The school committee approved routine meeting minutes, nominated building-committee members, and approved multiple policy updates in voice votes at the Jan. 27 meeting; details and next steps are listed below.","taxTitle","Mendon-Upton Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69248,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368573,"District proposes consolidating pre-K at Clough and adding full-day 'turning-5' classroom; special-education in-district supports highlighted",497,3793000,4290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db&start=3793&end=4290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db/thumbnail_3793000.jpg","/articles/6368573/Massachusetts/District-proposes-consolidating-pre-K-at-Clough-and-adding-full-day-turning-5-classroom-special-education-in-district-supports-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368573-ad69925e2117f79e8b34be8e84340e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488507&Signature=ISidJtV8EcAtSNvKtf0N4~jHBn71s115HvqhLh2dbnIUYKM89ukGZYGikx6O18ZtnMh5vxQq2VMGt3-LLg3a33EoBjLPbp6fF-AOR2rs0Df4PMRS47MCMVo55T9hUwaJeMX6zWy2YXK2CRBLIrcZar4xjZoXJXFE31IqXXz5z712Og-O2NvYW4A9KGj9DVn3DHAYYmuWfO-GfvlqOGw17woMqC~FKdepmcIKlpeSccgPPlO66ChyCERyqiibWgARh9khsr126d6PHW-R5b22jgihapKJ~Zw9Ox06HlhYOWFm098L150a2iWDg0pO2F6jvyxIrFxsgTTjymTiDHgZcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jenny Mitchell, the district's director of student support services, told the committee the district is proposing two immediate changes to address growing pre-kindergarten demand: consolidate pre-K into one building (Clough) and add a third pre-K teacher to create a full-day \"turning-5\" classroom.

Mitchell said Memorial is currently at capacity for pre-K and the district has 10 students on an early-intervention radar to be evaluated between now and June, plus six additional children in the pipeline for the fall. \"As of right now, Memorial is maxed out,\" she said, and that any new eligible students are currently being evaluated and placed at Plough because of space constraints.

Financials presented to the committee show the district's estimate for a new full-day classroom (a 9:7 split of typical general-education to special-education seats) would cost about $75,100 in added expense; Mitchell said the classroom revenue is projected at roughly $76,500, providing a near-offsetting revenue stream depending on enrollment and tuition rates.

Committee members raised concerns about consolidating pre-K to one building. One member noted that travel time and convenience for families could affect enrollment and that consolidating could unintentionally push families to private providers. Mitchell and elementary principals said the proposal aims to balance classroom composition, share resources, and provide teams for coaching and planning.

In the same presentation, Mitchell and elementary principals described district investments intended to keep students in-district rather than send them to out-of-district placements. Those in-district investments include hiring full-time Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), adding school psychologists and speech-language pathologists in each building, and embedding occupational and physical therapy staff. Mitchell said these steps have helped stabilize out-of-district tuition and transportation costs and let some students remain in district.

She added that pre-K is \"the most variable\" enrollment area because the district receives early-intervention counts only a few months before a child's third birthday. Committee members asked for clearer enrollment tracking for upcoming months to finalize staffing decisions.

","District leaders proposed moving pre-K into a single building to manage rising enrollment, adding a third pre-K teacher and a full-day \"turning-5\" classroom; student-support staff highlighted investments (BCBAs, SLPs, OTs) that district leaders say have reduced out-of-district placements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368578,"MSBA roof application cleared initial steps; school building committee nominees approved by committee",183,1713000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db&start=1713&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db/thumbnail_1713000.jpg","/articles/6368578/Massachusetts/MSBA-roof-application-cleared-initial-steps-school-building-committee-nominees-approved-by-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368578-94be6a6fbbb9c929791fb5d7a74c44d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488507&Signature=HsUOkvZI8arfByhfUpKOSyO9Op3vlcP-BJRYZDU9zTTI39R5Idt4ygv~L5pZi1G8Nbf7uWszD43eNVEvIhcBwbf7aR6aMLMuIL6yuSaRYSMDcKNLfMORjCg0bIbLDnGhA-O7KUQxMCg6WhMy4jFQ~BSx41kyvfd9fwy6Kwl839aOYr-Rllefk45ubBUvQ71ujiOSgMKAQ5ZvwLHBpLzW9rIkA1~V9owbBTjqS6PWMFA0JZU9Z1yXeFkoTHykTJdY~8C4CzpAP2YW1Obhk0x~KfLpTxUI-kzhWGjrb7eWoQpUGVq5JAlUCxQH~XviBNbFY8g14V3ceHwGPWkOO~kp4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mendon-Upton Regional School District has met the MSBA's initial requirements for a proposed roof project and will meet with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on Feb. 5 to begin the scope-definition phase, Superintendent Doctor Cohen said at the Jan. 27 meeting.

Cohen said the district submitted the statement of interest, completed the initial compliance certification and maintenance plan, and secured local authorization of funding. \"Next week on February 5th we have a meeting with MSBA and that's when we'll be hopefully hearing about the OPM and heading into the second phase, the scope definition phase,\" she said.

The committee also took a formal vote to nominate local residents and district staff to serve on a school building committee that will oversee the project and subsequent capital planning. The district presented a recommended list that included:

- Kyle Raposo, Mendon resident and construction superintendent (experience with school projects);
- Nicole Cassello, Mendon resident, construction manager (architecture degree, nearly 30 years of experience);
- Bill Casey, Upton resident and long-time building/grounds foreman; and district staff ex officio membership for the town administrators.

Cohen said the committee needs at least one school committee member to serve on the building committee and suggested rotating membership if desired. Committee members moved and seconded a nomination of the listed individuals and alternates; the chair called the voice vote, and members responded \"Aye.\" The motion passed.

Why it matters: MSBA approval of the project team and entry into scope definition begins the district's path toward a partially state-funded roof replacement. If the project proceeds, towns will still vote on local funding shares for the town-funded portion.

What to watch: The Feb. 5 MSBA meeting should identify the district's Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and move the project into a scope and cost-estimating phase. The committee also discussed forming subgroups to focus on discrete capital projects such as fields and facilities once the building committee is operational.

","The district completed Phase 1 MSBA requirements for a roof project and the school committee nominated local residents and district staff to a school building committee; committee members approved the nominations by voice vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368583,"State budget proposal adds roughly $360,000 to Mendon-Upton schools; transportation and charter aid changes noted",221,1379000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db&start=1379&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157007-3f6942ffcea9736e6a24c585676e39db/thumbnail_1379000.jpg","/articles/6368583/Massachusetts/State-budget-proposal-adds-roughly-360000-to-Mendon-Upton-schools-transportation-and-charter-aid-changes-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368583-8a7d273af189c349b8c8805cc83b9fc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488507&Signature=YNNL5kUQTIwHEKiiU~elr4LRoUR-og1BDLRw22oPwM3g44NcfHYlKjl3TWZtaC20QJZx0VVmS~MJ1ra0ECqY7A6DbiOTFtECMRtIT6MVHj8LUXgvQE0VsO6C65oZd2SA1fN~YVaH4wWgkFkZ-CeSxqFnQIAg~Bqy255kBOd0Kr17LFCo~H5Psx244Is6XcxGlsAgRJdYdMK-rnJRC-G~NDOVAeOF6GN2-3QJ8ujAdfDs5N8J4dq4S4z-cLwWANaWl8shY5LRZu0RpuKE2RJz0E6BDUOz3rWdfn0898TDy7Uaw15wbaLnKn51Tx2khiCZAreCWxmVertPqw9kp493rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doctor Cohen, the Mendon-Upton Regional School District superintendent, told the school committee on Jan. 27 that the governor's proposed FY26 state budget increases K-12 accounts and would add roughly $360,089 in net state aid to the district.

The proposal sets minimum Chapter 70 funding at $75 per student, Cohen said, and overall K-12 accounts rose about 4.5%. \"That was really good news to hear,\" she said, adding the district received a total net increase in state aid of $360,089 based on the administration's initial analysis.

Why it matters: state aid changes affect the district's budget gap and the towns' required contributions. Finance staff warned committee members that one state item in particular'the Minimum Local Contribution (MLC) released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education'will increase local obligations.

Jay, the district's finance staff member who answered committee questions during the meeting, said the MLC and town shares are one of three town funding buckets and that towns can offset increases by adjusting other local lines but must fund the required minimum contribution itself. \"The minimum contribution is just one of three funding buckets from the the towns,\" Jay said. He noted Mendon's share rose modestly (about $120,534) while Upton faces a much larger increase (about $631,365) in the draft calculations.

Cohen also reviewed several line items in the governor's proposal that affect the district. The budget would expand the state's school transportation reimbursement program with a new combined account and an estimated $16.5 million increase for regional transportation; the district's estimated regional transportation increase is about $186,000. The proposal would also increase the state's special education (\"circuit breaker\") appropriation and change charter school reimbursement assumptions; Cohen cautioned that charter reimbursement projections have been volatile in prior years and final legislative action could differ from the governor's numbers.

What committee members asked: Several members pressed for detail on the MLC increase and how it affects town contributions. Jay explained that towns have an \"operational additional\" line that can be adjusted, but the MLC rise itself must be paid by the towns. He said he had not yet completed a line-by-line reconciliation to explain why Upton's MLC projection was so much higher than Mendon's.

Looking ahead: Cohen said the district will continue budgeting work as the legislature and the governor's office move proposals toward final fiscal year decisions. She and Jay said the district will present updated numbers at future budget meetings as state and local figures firm up.

","Superintendent Dr. Cohen said the governor's budget raises Chapter 70 funding and proposes larger transportation reimbursements, yielding an estimated $360,089 net increase for the district; she and finance staff flagged a sharp rise in Upton's required minimum local contribution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee approves minutes, building committee nominees and several policy updates

District proposes consolidating pre-K at Clough and adding full-day 'turning-5' classroom; special-education in-district supports highlighted

MSBA roof application cleared initial steps; school building committee nominees approved by committee

State budget proposal adds roughly $360,000 to Mendon-Upton schools; transportation and charter aid changes noted