[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6358119,"mediaKeyId","2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88","parentId",2212720,"title","School committee approves five policies in second reading","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",8017000,"endMs",8107000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88&start=8017&end=8107","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88/thumbnail_8017000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358119/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-five-policies-in-second-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358119-f57d981f44b98af6e9a409291f092841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140661&Signature=C-I-4McuZLm8VdWec91~so0T~AzmDiRqrbfm48jaZhbubU~FUOPZcAs4-pS2wM6P9K9eO59OXw0KuYNmRy~fA9YFjx4jj~ZD~9UFZTqShs0rX0PK4iTZ8WGSx~6QilipENNQC7zMRkq03prKHWs3w7k6vLtTRsQM8058Pvpugp1zY8IwgAVg3AabHjqFdRnLN3MB4IRLXsmagEu96WPOd1N5rmxxAT2Msyc5YM9IjGjnkYvIzZ6U4AXgGNt6jZByZkxuGr7Id3uREqWxTq1hXTLccxIBagOMkibIS2Gl4Q9SeMvYudW8bItw3FDTUbeDoLB4s~m1jIPucg4SWjUNfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Easton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","At the Jan. 23 meeting the Easton School Committee voted to adopt five policies in a grouped motion: JFBB (School Choice), JFAB (Educational opportunities for children in foster care), JIA (Pupil Rights Amendment), JIE (Pregnant students) and JII (Grievance procedure). The policies were presented as a second reading with no recommended changes noted during discussion.

A committee member moved to approve the listed policies as a package. After a second, the committee conducted a roll-call vote: DeLuca, Wiseman, Star, Loomis and Persio voted yes; the motions carried unanimously.

Administrators noted that some other policy items (a larger set within the J series) remain under review and that legal counsel will be asked to review specific items flagged during discussion, such as administrative guidelines for alcohol and drug procedures and gang/secret-society language.

Ending: The committee adopted the five policies and directed staff to continue policy reviews and to send flagged items to counsel for legal review before further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Easton School Committee Meeting 1/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","On Jan. 23 the Easton School Committee voted to adopt a group of policies including school choice, educational opportunities for special groups, and pupil rights amendments.","taxTitle","Easton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71295,"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},6358122,"Easton School Committee begins rewrite of graduation policy after state ends MCAS as automatic competency test",1504,6446000,7950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88&start=6446&end=7950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88/thumbnail_6446000.jpg","/articles/6358122/Massachusetts/Easton-School-Committee-begins-rewrite-of-graduation-policy-after-state-ends-MCAS-as-automatic-competency-test","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358122-40253b85cee298c37e21628f607cf06a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140661&Signature=Ogb7ieT0eDdgOWY39cANhp~t6bs-xyNVxd2mBBU-iQzohDjHL4LyXGw1vI29syrl6S2jHr3Z3pzRCJq6lRG42b0UZfUJ49s8cz8C778SugScOFA4RpQYOTi6BUdJfJcJQB3V4IXKZGZF~ttD1hAkN5fuzn19Zn6HWGwFeTiCPL9tsMVFOHJ4EwpFdBNtcniQxYjWufh3viLNEOfasrhy7SniUCgRaSGlGtmx1gDKHR~InP2aD9j-EcmWzDyKAUscI0v5OaCrmEunpkvWFv9ys3~HQdquoP9fYYQmEGNVUonSKKOMzFpQn4UzEFntg3lDBstpUdDJasGvy99V7ZPdfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Facing a December change in state law that eliminated MCAS as the automatic competency determination for graduation, Easton administrators presented proposed revisions to the district’s graduation policy and began discussion on a competency approach for the class of 2025.

Kelly Cavanaugh and Dr. Cabral led the Jan. 23 presentation. Cavanaugh outlined recommended edits to the district’s IKF (graduation requirement) policy, including removing language tied to course counts that vary by semester and consolidating competency-determination language into the program of studies so it can be updated more rapidly than a policy.

Cavanaugh said the law now requires that competency determination be based on coursework that demonstrates mastery of standards previously measured by MCAS. She summarized three short-term options administrators are considering: keep MCAS as a district graduation requirement (district may require passing), require taking MCAS but not passing it for graduation, or remove MCAS from graduation requirements entirely and rely on locally defined coursework-based competency.

“MCAS assessment is still required for all grades 3 through 8 and the high school, 9th 10th grade,” Cavanaugh told the committee, noting that federal testing requirements and state accountability remain in place even after the competency change. Dr. Cabral emphasized the communication challenge created by the change: the law was passed in December and the class of 2025 will graduate in June.

For the class of 2025, administrators recommended a temporary competency determination anchored to coursework: completion of English 9 and 10, algebra (or equivalent) and geometry and one of the listed lab sciences. They also noted existing waiver procedures for students who transferred in from systems that do not administer MCAS and said they would develop clearer, written guidelines for waivers and appeals.

Committee members discussed options and asked staff to return with explicit language for the policy and for the 2025 program of studies. Dr. Cabral and Cavanaugh said they will share the presentation with families, meet with seniors who have not yet passed MCAS, and bring a draft program-of-studies competency determination to the committee for a future vote.

Ending: The committee completed a first reading of policy changes and asked staff to draft competency-determination language for the class of 2025 and a review process for 2026 and later classes.","Following a December law change that removed MCAS as the state competency determination, Easton administrators proposed revisions to the district graduation policy and recommended a short-term competency approach for the class of 2025.",{"_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},6358127,"Easton School Committee trims 2025–26 calendar options, eliminates one draft after public feedback",1866,1589000,3455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88&start=1589&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","/articles/6358127/Massachusetts/Easton-School-Committee-trims-202526-calendar-options-eliminates-one-draft-after-public-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358127-10e0882009b8bf8077e89ca26aff7c2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140661&Signature=oHsHTRAeHZ0dEw7xb-4yBKQk0o7bc~Qc0Cu7GhAhyEo0bmw5iJ4QTuQYxudCSDI4zOymnpcyTEGwbme5tRKoN-QdW87QJ9roGZi3e7pU2vNLy-VSoFPwBHRgj2fb~EC62t5mv977hfKxOwOFL~OfbL36lHKddG7t-d82qujCxVTI9-m~VRuNqWFSFa9PusKovkENJoyK1-5qvhzm7ElOmfrt3vdthGUmP2yg51oLFq4xkR-Uw7UVnf2sAPNcWk~amzaP1iJnsCYIQMsOuZnTI1lbnPxJxBeCn1QwlicDDunzlVnwX1~f6KQFTVG-mqVqLFVlXjiOK9aDwtDkmU4MxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Easton School Committee held the first reading of three draft calendars for 2025–26 on Jan. 23 and voted to remove one option from consideration.

District staff presented three calendar versions that varied by start date, winter break timing and end-of-year dates. Drafts 1 and 3 started prior to Labor Day; Draft 2 began before Labor Day with an expanded winter break through New Year’s and had a different kindergarten and preschool start schedule.

Missus Pruitt presented the drafts and said principals and staff had weighed in on conference timing, professional development days and the effect of having one week versus two weeks off in December. “We did receive a lot of parent feedback,” she said, explaining the trade-offs between travel convenience and the disruption that two weeks off can cause for some students.

After discussion and questions from committee members and principals — covering graduation timing, bus scheduling, conference dates, and the impact of snow days — a committee member moved to eliminate Draft 2. The motion carried in a roll-call vote: DeLuca, Wiseman, Star, Loomis and Persio voted yes.

The committee asked staff to correct identified clerical errors (dates and footnotes) and return with a revised set of options at the second reading. Committee members asked staff to check contract constraints that affect conference scheduling, and to investigate a calendar variant combining an earlier start with a long Labor Day weekend.

Ending: The committee narrowed the field to two drafts and directed staff to bring revised calendar versions, including a “2.5” option requested during discussion, to a future meeting for final consideration.","After staff and principal input and hundreds of parent comments, the committee removed one of three calendar drafts during a Jan. 23 first reading and asked staff to return with cleaned-up options.",{"_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},6358132,"Easton faces multi‑million dollar budget gap; school leaders warn of deep cuts without new revenue",571,3981000,4552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88&start=3981&end=4552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88/thumbnail_3981000.jpg","/articles/6358132/Massachusetts/Easton-faces-multimillion-dollar-budget-gap-school-leaders-warn-of-deep-cuts-without-new-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358132-fbfb2783c65210948f4ac7a21088eccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140661&Signature=WdK5onLYh~sNDPF1~ZTleZQz1A4fF7X50ngm6MqEC8PuS59Qb-phJcG03-Ogkc8JSmoRYSZ3mhWC5P3nJH5b7qI~IFJiASla~ZU2wnSlBAvfdNRD0f~1Qhml4BMWHS9r7w4iF19NNhiRlBjTcnC96T6vV0~TZ8y7npBBqtjI5yE9kslvTByezc8-oWacdRhYD9OauCZfihdS9AxfFQDIDaUmbnPYD0Pd7te1NrDcfmahG1OCe2kkyVY5l1JMA9f9R9Su8om6N5Mb-iqKUp1R7BadZ02P9sgP8sDgP9VR3GafIOt9IOSHfBx-IZ23jTfIsfRW19iFjQAfPQjWNTIfnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Cabral told the Easton School Committee on Jan. 23 that preliminary town budget projections show a gap of more than $6 million for fiscal 2026 — a figure she and town staff said will force difficult choices for the school district and town.

“Connor’s memo” — a budget overview prepared by the town administrator and finance staff — shows an estimated shortfall of approximately $6,383,504 based on preliminary revenue and level-service expense assumptions, Dr. Cabral said. She told the committee the figure reflects anticipated increases in school expenses, including contract step-and-lane increases, rising out‑of‑district special education costs, transportation and a projected rise in health-insurance costs driven by the Group Insurance Commission.

“Right now, as of this moment, today, the town has over a $6,000,000 shortfall for next year’s budget. That is factual. That is in Connor’s memo,” Dr. Cabral said during a detailed presentation that followed an earlier public open house and PACE (public advisory committee for education) discussions.

She said the school department’s projected increase is around 8.2 percent for level service; combined with the town’s projected increases and constrained revenue, the result is the multi‑million dollar shortfall. In addition to contract and program costs, the district is still funding roles created with ARPA federal grants because administrators say student needs remain elevated following the pandemic.

The superintendent said the district’s budget is heavily labor‑dependent — “more than 80 percent of our budget is labor” — limiting options for nonpersonnel savings. She warned that finding several million dollars in cuts would be “regressive” for the district and could force program reductions that would be larger and deeper than past budget contractions.

Committee and PACE leaders discussed short- and long-term options: large expense cuts, a townwide revenue override, or a combination of both. Committee members and PACE co-chairs said the group will present recommendations to the Select Board in March and continue community outreach. The town’s stabilization fund and other reserves were discussed; administrators said drawing those down would be short‑term and would raise longer‑term borrowing costs.

What’s next: the town will present a formal budget message to the Select Board next Monday; PACE will meet again Jan. 29. School leaders said they will continue detailed scenario planning and present options to the committee and the public in the weeks ahead.

Ending: School and town officials said the magnitude of the shortfall means both cuts and revenue options must be on the table; any decision will require public discussion before the town’s budget is finalized.","District and town figures project a $6.38 million shortfall for the 2025–26 budget; school leaders say most of the district budget is labor and that program reductions will be necessary unless voters approve new revenue.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358137,"Easton School Committee accepts four retirements from Richardson Olmstead staff",1359,59000,1418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88&start=59&end=1418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212720-e3fb3eec59332e8f834da815bfd64e88/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6358137/Massachusetts/Easton-School-Committee-accepts-four-retirements-from-Richardson-Olmstead-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358137-6b2708fd85a6ea8ec74f7b9cf4bf8278/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140661&Signature=EIIRLdURv2skdh-~EBSeU6S2RrNEOAf90ge-iGeNeG9ayLkn--4J6BE36DkYBOQbPi7CHAhVdKjBCZ8x3OWhm-3WDinOcFtooCBXgt1H~eHlEzS8Y5rXcFQZbNXkmuo-d2KU5~p-mu8RkHUdk95-CqslzbYjHR9V~ryV0nGcDWemigjp7jIAoLwCswYY86PVbalS6MaqefF8cHy5aZ4nEn9nCaKD~GyPA-0wenXGuJbLfaDop6sT3yS9A0K24MK1kV2PPskdmtgQJg2yFR-AwghKvu6kATi2Qf~RzPK2goVSHthVqLhVKCRobW-UO2J2bKYm~JjeUrTx3DUtPi8rJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Easton School Committee on Jan. 23 accepted the resignations and upcoming retirements of four Richardson Olmstead School educators, each of whom is scheduled to leave at the end of the 2024–25 school year.

The committee voted, by recorded roll calls, to accept letters of resignation from Alice Chase, Patricia Siegel, Meghan (Meg) St. Martin and Marybeth Harkins. The retirements were presented during the personnel portion of the meeting and were accompanied by letters read into the record describing each teacher’s path in the district and their years of service.

Dr. Cabral, the superintendent, introduced each letter and described the retirees as longtime employees who began in various support roles — substitute teacher, paraprofessional, volunteer — and advanced into classroom positions. “Each of these professionals worked toward advancement within the district,” Cabral said as she summarized the letters.

Colleagues, parents and committee members offered brief tributes during the meeting. One parent said that Mrs. Siegel had been “instrumental” in securing supports for a child and praised her enthusiasm; another speaker described Meg St. Martin as a “go-to” for technology and summer programming. Cabral and other committee members noted the district will feel the loss of experience when the four depart.

Motions to accept each retirement were made and seconded on the record. The committee recorded unanimous votes — DeLuca, Wiseman, Star, Loomis and Persio each voted “yes” on the motions accepting the retirements.

The committee did not take additional action regarding replacements at the meeting. Cabral and other administrators said the district will work through hiring and transition details in the months ahead.

Ending: The committee offered thanks and best wishes to Chase, Siegel, St. Martin and Harkins and recorded acceptance of their retirements ahead of the presenters’ final school year in June 2025.","The Easton School Committee voted unanimously Jan. 23 to accept the retirements of four long-serving Richardson Olmstead School educators, each effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves five policies in second reading

Easton School Committee begins rewrite of graduation policy after state ends MCAS as automatic competency test

Easton School Committee trims 2025–26 calendar options, eliminates one draft after public feedback

Easton faces multi‑million dollar budget gap; school leaders warn of deep cuts without new revenue

Easton School Committee accepts four retirements from Richardson Olmstead staff