[{"_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",6306415,"mediaKeyId","2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2","parentId",2437961,"title","Votes at a glance: committee approves consent agenda and adjourns","audioSeconds",69,"startMs",3727000,"endMs",3796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2&start=3727&end=3796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2/thumbnail_3727000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306415/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-consent-agenda-and-adjourns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306415-1fb8e4f6c5da935546094875956f1f58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063576&Signature=mk5q-IcBre2QehuNoXDX~0dL4-u4FsxL5uShwuaSAz9npFVpwKgh8q~fQYYy3NmbQpkOsv6FFlwWSz9vrHF~E2ncaHMsLMmIsFfq939kMBXSY2VVqGbvr6hKwTv-MxDGLK9eaPI1qM6198lWloU0FdOAbo~INv~tYCK0X-VanoU60MYNzZNzvHg7P8XYjVlKNs5zxcA4Q0qAf-3zTkEcZomBI8DcJPgRIkdP8WWUbx6Zf9NAo2v10n1iuWCSq8iCkOF5LViwLqjPVZGl5jULpXyRXqEWp5F1Ms6stRVzBGDkv2-vNgxbH8dEpbzvoa3W42pi77zw1PBCbGady~Y3TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, MA","date","2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","article","The school committee took two routine votes at the close of the Feb. 27 meeting.

Consent agenda: The committee approved the consent agenda, which included the recommendation to appoint Teresa O'Leary, Town of Acton collector/treasurer, as assistant district treasurer; approval of the ABRC meeting minutes of Jan. 30, 2025; and approval of warrants as presented in the meeting packet. The motion to approve the consent agenda passed by voice vote; the chair stated the result was unanimous. The meeting record did not include a roll‑call tally.

Adjournment: Committee members then moved and seconded to adjourn; the adjournment motion also passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: No items were held from the consent agenda for separate consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton-Boxborough School Committee Meeting - February 27th, 2025_c","oneSentenceSummary","The Acton‑Boxborough school committee approved the consent agenda including the appointment of Teresa O'Leary as assistant district treasurer and then voted to adjourn; both actions passed unanimously in voice votes with no roll call tallies provided.","taxTitle","Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",38538,"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},6306420,"Capital update: geothermals tax credit, MSBA reimbursement and possible nitrogen treatment at Boardwalk campus",116,2155000,2271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2&start=2155&end=2271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2/thumbnail_2155000.jpg","/articles/6306420/Massachusetts/Capital-update-geothermals-tax-credit-MSBA-reimbursement-and-possible-nitrogen-treatment-at-Boardwalk-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306420-3a45d52b4cc28c1b04a216a121dcc1be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063576&Signature=E57GB5e-amZxWD-fcd5EtKGLysI0YGVG9zSLnT42wpnldxHx9I76fhJwoU50GDb1JEwStnEpnI2Xsam6ZoU-SJDEt8kugDRdbRyS9jpTWxFZcUIGm316NbLErD5iqjBID7m9~985UOo9QOk8eVMbyAGRSwjvuqSL-CFuskgmPOEFj6adS~cFjiKPj7L6sxaiLRqjuQdm4c4p6spFTNB07YQOSqIo9TyKiJ-dvB2ggUdJZV147vifQ2tMai55Zp7bEEpntLNabeRyvGDIfcQf49F-LQeqxlPWOZwghmB5aWlHimBEgz4ycTbnRyRZFx3OyGHT1S09R4AFImhzARKsYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district’s capital subcommittee reported several time‑sensitive funding and facility matters that could affect near‑term borrowing and project timelines.

Pending federal and state payments: Capital Subcommittee member Ben said the district is awaiting a $2,750,000 IRS tax credit expected for geothermal work at the Boardwalk Campus; the credit is in approved status but the district has not yet received payment. He said the district is also scheduled to receive roughly $1 million in final MSBA reimbursement at the MSBA board meeting in August, which the district had planned to use to reduce short‑term borrowing tied to the Boardwalk project.

Potential environmental/health capital need: Subcommittee members reported that monitoring wells at the Boardwalk Campus septic system have returned extremely high nitrogen readings. If authorities require remediation, district staff estimated a nitrogen treatment plant could cost approximately $750,000 to $1 million. The capital account currently holds about $1 million restricted to the building project that could be applied to any required work. The district said it will increase well monitoring this spring and expects the board of health to recommend next steps by late spring or early summer.

Other projects: The subcommittee reported planned rooftop unit replacements at the high school, with estimated costs in the $3.5–4 million range, and ongoing work on controls at the junior high and playground and roof projects at Blanchard School and the administration building. The district also plans to replace chillers at Parker Damon School using hybrid air‑source heat pumps through an existing vendor and the Mass Save program to defray costs.

Borrowing strategy: Capital Subcommittee members noted ongoing conversation about accelerating bonding to lock favorable rates given potential federal changes to municipal bond markets; the subcommittee planned a dedicated meeting on March 12 to discuss bonding strategy.

Ending: District staff will continue monitoring wells at Boardwalk, pursue pending reimbursements and tax credits, and report to the committee if immediate action is required to protect the district from unplanned capital costs.","Capital Subcommittee reported the district is awaiting a $2.75 million IRS tax credit for geothermal work at Boardwalk Campus and an MSBA reimbursement of roughly $1 million; the district is monitoring elevated nitrogen in septic monitoring wells that could require a treatment plant costing about $750,000–$1 million.",{"_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},6306423,"Committee presses staff for student‑level analysis after state changes to MCAS graduation guidance",308,1542000,1850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2&start=1542&end=1850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2/thumbnail_1542000.jpg","/articles/6306423/Massachusetts/Committee-presses-staff-for-studentlevel-analysis-after-state-changes-to-MCAS-graduation-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306423-1fdf98604aff60e410b523dd9c433f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063576&Signature=komAvXfsEZz~HxH9KMKb4jH2M9IcamkJUOOzhtz0psFOolfx4eUc1Yib9vC~hvnN1fQm~4RZiYZ4x0myO-GC2ofl9LDpAHbuiZK0R2Nvu29sqJHNUv-REL6pNh-lf45WaWnCrI3jucUJ-kMQNrYitjCMHQ64pcmScptWpCxN-bLIfX3QW4cZHOtvlYzhTLqVP6i98vNU3VeeWyPJRCCleMnW7XbnOLHb3dzvLpa3qGSpMdOHYtOLNAnqrxEj0SNng~c0VnfTEmZEQit7rDpzUY1Xtmi7p9helMzgK5Ar~9vyeh-2xAAMdLDhZqsxQUkcT1NQy5MTpYK2T086wPRhYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School committee members spent a significant portion of the meeting on the district’s response to recent changes in state guidance removing MCAS as an absolute graduation requirement and replacing it with alternate competency pathways.

Why it matters: Committee members warned the change — and the way the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has rolled out guidance — could have disproportionate effects on certain groups of students unless the district clarifies pathways and supports.

Concerns and requested analysis: School Committee member Tory (role: School Committee member) detailed several scenarios she wants the district to analyze at the student level, including: how many recent graduates would have had different outcomes under the new rules; how multilingual learners and students in specialized programs (including the Pre‑ETS employment transition program) will access required coursework or alternative competency demonstrations; and how the district will ensure private‑sector or schedule constraints do not block internships or other transition activities from coexisting with required courses.

District response: The superintendent and district staff said DESE has not yet finalized amended regulations and that the department’s guidance arrived late in the school year. District staff (Joanie and Gabby were identified as working on student‑level analysis) are conducting case‑by‑case reviews for students near the competency threshold. The superintendent said the district aims to ensure the standard remains commensurate with prior MCAS standards while offering alternate pathways for students who could not follow a traditional course sequence.

Data requests: Committee members asked the district to provide counts of students who achieved competency in recent years through alternative routes (for example MCAS‑Alt, portfolio methods, principal approval or other means), and the numbers of students who passed course work but not the MCAS or vice versa. Members emphasized the need to discuss these details in advance of any final policy to avoid changing graduation expectations midstream for students already in the pipeline.

Next steps: District staff will continue student‑level reviews for students possibly affected this year and prepare data and policy language for the committee’s consideration. Committee members requested that staff reach out to families of students in at‑risk categories to surface practical obstacles in advance of any changes.","School committee members raised concerns about state guidance changes to MCAS-based graduation rules and asked district staff to provide student‑level analyses to ensure new competency determinations do not disadvantage multilingual learners, special education students or students in transition programs.",{"_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},6306429,"Acton-Boxborough committee to seek outside consultant as declining enrollment, cost pressures force review of district structure",1310,86000,1396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2&start=86&end=1396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437961-93b144e68bc3c48b20338bfc2d37dfb2/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6306429/Massachusetts/Acton-Boxborough-committee-to-seek-outside-consultant-as-declining-enrollment-cost-pressures-force-review-of-district-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306429-04c5bb34e87915256baa3471faa0a244/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063576&Signature=KpCcXDTZZwxa~71upKXzLeI0YJmma8XcH3d23mkwZJOngMpX8mfI2WGganKfyHQUfCWU3mcTsYHFtkx1qY5NXdFycbJ1cPMXtnMxzTLt5JR~E42gvJ~xNwbn1OlOa-IWmwtHsepQxeUEaung9uNzvdakZamxsdlF37TGWVetLiC-f~CqB8~lZXMm7vBiKu5qCTPmPp5bTFnWO9vkbZy0lB2621RB5tpv~xzB49ABjpjZQvy8lhCzsefO1WnWgVNFqSPy1ySLstE0lzN9F3kN2CKMFruH~RirLCiCo~e-kisyZF6y3GK-1ardGHRVhiJuqvu1qcmX0yNz6Yk6K3tDEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Peter outlined the district’s FY26 budget position and described plans to solicit outside consultants to evaluate larger structural changes as enrollment and funding pressures continue.

The meeting served as an update on the preliminary FY26 budget. Superintendent Peter said there are no new adjustments to the numbers presented at Budget Saturday, and that recently increased insurance enrollments and additional out‑of‑district placements reduced flexibility in the plan. He told the committee that leadership has reviewed many options but cannot recommend adding staff back into the FY26 proposal because of new expenses.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the review as a response to steadily falling enrollment — Peter said the district has lost about 600 students over eight years — and rising costs that, if left unchecked, will further erode program stability and staff capacity.

Committee members asked the superintendent’s office to move quickly while protecting opportunities for meaningful staff and family input. School Committee member Becca (role: School Committee member) pressed for stronger teacher and staff involvement in any redesign, saying educators’ on‑the‑ground experience should shape proposals. Another member, who registered “deep concern” about a proposed reduction to a special education coordinator post at McCarthy/Town and the Compass program, said she will pursue further conversations with families and staff before any final decisions.

Process and timeline: The superintendent said staff are preparing a request for proposals (RFP) to hire consultants with experience in district reconfiguration. The draft RFP was expected to be available for committee feedback at the committee’s March 13 meeting. The district plans a workshop on April 3 to discuss restructuring options and other priorities and anticipates assembling an evaluation group to review consultant proposals. The superintendent’s office said it hopes to select a consultant by the end of the school year so work could begin over the summer. The earliest plausible implementation date for major changes discussed would be fall 2026 (the 2026–27 school year); the superintendent also said some proposals could be scoped for a later FY28 start.

Scope and considerations: Committee members repeatedly cautioned that structural changes could require capital adjustments, such as furniture or physical reconfiguration, and that any savings are not guaranteed. Several members urged a broad stakeholder process to include staff, families and community members and to surface both educational tradeoffs and anticipated capital costs. The superintendent and others noted examples from neighboring districts conducting similar work and suggested a stakeholder advisory group and rapid community visioning to balance speed with community input.

Next steps: The committee asked for the RFP draft at the March 13 meeting and signaled it will review consultant proposals and assemble an advisory group. Committee members emphasized they do not plan changes to school assignments for the coming 2025–26 school year; any reconfiguration would require additional analysis and, if adopted, would likely take effect no earlier than fall 2026.

Ending: Members agreed the process must be transparent and include educators’ perspectives while moving swiftly enough to address the district’s structural fiscal challenges.","Superintendent Peter reported no changes to the FY26 preliminary budget but said new expenses and rising insurance costs leave no room to restore previously proposed staffing cuts. The committee voted to pursue an RFP for consultants to study potential restructuring options with a compressed timeline for decisions affecting FY27 and FY28.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee approves consent agenda and adjourns

Capital update: geothermals tax credit, MSBA reimbursement and possible nitrogen treatment at Boardwalk campus

Committee presses staff for student‑level analysis after state changes to MCAS graduation guidance

Acton-Boxborough committee to seek outside consultant as declining enrollment, cost pressures force review of district structure