[{"_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",6653307,"mediaKeyId","2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc","parentId",2484054,"title","Votes at a glance: Feb. 27 Easton School Committee","audioSeconds",3250,"startMs",4206000,"endMs",7456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc&start=4206&end=7456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc/thumbnail_4206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653307/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Feb-27-Easton-School-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653307-9f6992588b9e1f39c1773ad628e8b8b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770662433&Signature=kEBjbzlIk5ZBm-vx0I51NUadMksY-Clto9c1~VV5bs-MgSe0K0mICdzFu4VuiuIxiy8OD5e7XxoA6j9WjJ5fNMpSU1aN7pJyQPCmvboH4qxHUqff6xaq-501o9BNYx9cpYMZnJ3ybNInOjWhQc9ZYIrNP65gQqMd-Ckwtab4Mu8hiodZuNS3FPBXiVbJXCRIWLc7ApVR5gnFVOLAt35bZ-ufo~u5s1d66nPSHu1kuEsS48Ifn8vHEGeTJRhqChHgj6vwMjZY7cdTfysl5u3XGVhqdLUrkOUJG12-PnJmg8M292GyfMEXzc-gpJoBiCZpxk0-tW-eiMNSVaBBVVmNdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Easton Public Schools. MA","date","2025-03-04T10:11:19.62Z","article","This is a consolidated list of formal motions and outcomes recorded during the Easton School Committee meeting on Feb. 27, 2025.

1) Table JRA R (student records) policy review (first reading)
- Motion: \"Move to table JRA R student records policy review to a later meeting.\" (mover: Dr. Jennifer Cabral; second: Lauren Loomis)
- Outcome: Tabled (roll call approved).
- Notes: Committee asked the policy subcommittee to review and return recommendations.

2) Approve two out‑of‑state robotics trips
- Motions: Approve robotics trip to Falmouth, Maine (Feb. 28–March 2) and University of Rhode Island (March 12–15). (mover: DeLuca; second: Prociso)
- Outcome: Approved by roll call.
- Notes: Mentors said team fundraising covers entry fees; parents provide transportation.

3) Adopt updates to policy DBJ (budget transfer authority) — second reading
- Motion: Approve updates to policy DBJ (budget transfer authority).
- Outcome: Approved by roll call.
- Notes: Legal counsel recommended wording changes and a Mass. General Laws citation; policy clarifies transfers between DESE codes require school committee approval.

4) Approve new sponsors (class of 2025 and musical booklet)
- Motion: Approve a list of new sponsors for the class of 2025 and for the school musical booklet (multiple donors named in packet).
- Outcome: Approved by roll call.
- Notes: Committee acknowledged more than 200 sponsors overall for school programs.

5) Adopt updated facility fees (second reading)
- Motion: Adopt revised facility‑use fee schedule as presented.
- Outcome: Approved by roll call.
- Notes: Administration to notify current renters and return in one year with impact data.

6) Approve minutes and hold executive session minutes
- Motion: Approve regular session minutes from Feb. 13, 2025; hold executive session minutes for March review.
- Outcome: Regular minutes approved; executive session minutes held for future review.

For each of the votes above, the committee used roll call voting and recorded yes votes; where a named roll call was read aloud in the meeting the motion was adopted unanimously of members present.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Easton Public School Committee Meeting 2/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken at the Easton School Committee meeting on Feb. 27, 2025, including policy actions, trip approvals, sponsor acceptances and the facility fees vote.","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},6653311,"School committee approves two out‑of‑state robotics trips; team fundraising will cover entry fees",113,4222000,4335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc&start=4222&end=4335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc/thumbnail_4222000.jpg","/articles/6653311/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-two-outofstate-robotics-trips-team-fundraising-will-cover-entry-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653311-38332bec9819f847b5232ea98340ffbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770662433&Signature=HLVx9pW8vFpH8dyTOMOcqmQdhJ7K25FlxMnjtEVYmicIB2Cwioa6mE9Cn~C5cYUb8HT7fgcM5VjfYLR9FkXj2wLySTNb6Z2Mx68rbk0KWIM4Y~AvRXkQBKtOpCCPdzBx3wRbUovrQo0i9xEgaAJVHKLd1nLAqmrfgckU5-eRv4Ge9l75whOA7qimkyRVx4pBB5H8vsWpjKjlT0QshUK340qTgblEpBgS7D~Ds9q5z89GUHe1-c6TY~mNOeVGyKw94paXErynTCPPKdzJb7myV9OrrVEGemKwf1-22gakotBoHsDUeQwgbwLL8zVQZuwH-5ONByhO9VT8awmkimld9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Easton School Committee on Feb. 27 approved two out‑of‑state robotics competition trips requested by the Oliver Ames Robotics team.

Details: Mentors asked the committee to approve a trip to Falmouth, Maine for Feb. 28–March 2 and a competition at the University of Rhode Island March 12–15. Helder Lobel, a team mentor, told the committee the group tried to find in‑state venues but only Maine and Rhode Island were available for the dates; the team has 47 students this year.

Funding and transportation: Mentors and parents said team fundraising covers the event entry fees (Copas quoted a $4,200 entry fee for a two‑competition package), and that families will generally provide transportation. The team arranged a volunteer chaperone option for the few students whose families could not provide a ride; the committee discussed the district’s obligation to provide a bus and the mentors said they had sought funding but were not contracting district transportation for these events.

Board action: The committee approved both trips by roll call.

Quote: \"The closest we can get to is Maine and Rhode Island,\" said mentor Helder Lobel, explaining venue availability and the team’s request.

Ending: Mentors thanked the committee and said they would return to report results should the team advance in subsequent rounds.","The committee approved an overnight trip to Falmouth, Maine and a day trip to the University of Rhode Island for the Oliver Ames High School robotics team; mentors said team fundraising covers competition fees and most families will provide transportation.",{"_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},6653314,"School committee adopts new facility fees after discussion of nonprofit impact and maintenance costs",2181,5329000,7510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc&start=5329&end=7510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc/thumbnail_5329000.jpg","/articles/6653314/Massachusetts/School-committee-adopts-new-facility-fees-after-discussion-of-nonprofit-impact-and-maintenance-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653314-5db34a06f175d2ce2de192b09cd310ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770662433&Signature=fu7X1-KST-IdkcaJMsH8joPAiJNHkc9qv25zkaX1-AJS8iUK-UbuQsawzGySJhpUJhWU5YM8rrL5tFhmQ4JZ3Meo8gLyGKnPdmfFZlqUSXicmDuEHCp9v9AjqyD5nx-iidsbt2D12ZwS~l3aAow2os2ItzWcn08of3eSEVgqUFOQfk7aRUxfsNHv1n8rniEHte-tnfGUwBP8CaaSXS1GsNcLDy9vBn52-Bgjca7oLA~IPmVo7el3yT8zgYCbcjQpe5Om1ahFNn2h8yUczJg2-M6XNjbJQrnw~q4yje-WD1pVe5ke0udtl5NiObxQvpyKkS1hlyQbamOI5S~OvbnIGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Easton School Committee approved an updated facility‑use fee schedule on Feb. 27 after hearing a multi‑department review led by Facilities and Operations Director Tony Copas.

Why it changed: Copas told the committee that field and facilities maintenance has become more expensive and that long standing informal practices are no longer sustainable. He said the district had not updated fees since 2016, usage by outside groups is high and the district now must more consistently recover direct costs — custodial overtime, utilities, preventative maintenance and equipment wear — when outside organizations use school spaces.

Revenue context: Copas and the business office reported that gross fees collected last fiscal year were roughly $186,000 (district accounting language in the meeting). After facility‑related expenses are subtracted, the net revenue associated with rentals was about $53,000 — an amount the district said is not sufficient to cover deferred capital and routine facility costs.

Tiered approach and nonprofit concerns
The draft policy creates tiers for fee classification (school activities; town, government and community groups; nonprofit/community organizations; for‑profit users) and establishes day and hourly rates for major spaces (auditorium, gyms, fields, cafeteria) as well as a la carte charges for add‑ons such as scoreboard/press box, tech/AV and athletic scoreboard use. Copas said most longtime users would qualify as tier‑1 nonprofits but that all groups must document nonprofit status when applicable. Committee members asked for a small number of adjustments: an option to adopt an hourly/short‑event rate for evening rehearsals and clarity about how high‑use groups will be charged.

Board action and next steps
The committee voted to adopt the updated fee schedule. Members emphasized the administration should re‑publish the new rates to all current users immediately and return after one year with data on renewals, departures and net revenue so the committee can reassess the policy.

Quote: \"In a normal year, obviously, we're a community, organization, and the community funds very generously the buildings and the grounds that we use. And so, we've gone a long time without needing that. But with our current crisis ... it's very difficult for us to manage any subsidy of an outside organization,\" Copas said.

Ending: Administrators said they will send formal notice to outside users and will provide a one‑year assessment to the committee on how the new structure affected access and district revenue.","After a lengthy discussion about field maintenance, custodial staffing and equitable application to nonprofits, the committee approved an updated fee schedule for use of Easton Public Schools facilities.",{"_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},6653320,"School committee reviews wide‑ranging updates to student health, medication and wellness policies",3748,381000,4129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc&start=381&end=4129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6653320/Massachusetts/School-committee-reviews-wideranging-updates-to-student-health-medication-and-wellness-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653320-d0f229762da42b2295f4b54429383c9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770662433&Signature=WVzHOiDMuJLjvg0ly66VmD1o-xRF~4dHbMzdfRbsl4k2vykia3-gt-e0alCgdJvKk8pyZsUP2PK4GOxUIlxjUB4EgBpaWTZctLPtC~H0uhEmkXca6dS85thJ1waQ6Pp1CYwbKqQUhg0KdZuBNYq73HW-3UVrw7WZaApremB0BJk0XQy9LIJFTmdkiOY3IkO6itn4H5JeL478dIAfQzn1ZLtmweMrXllrUQ3itEyiNcv6k9tVUgRhNJciWiJwxCp6T-9WqS8JxV-R6zaRP9a9Q1qzw-N4ppREpebnu5nV9FRWeD59Ptd2a6rJ2fAluNtYb9ZowV3fkve~Xi5xBQdXug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easton School Committee members heard a detailed first reading Feb. 27 of several student health and related policies, led by Director of Student Services Colleen Clark and Director of Special Services Craig Davidson.

The packet covered multiple policies (policy codes JL, JLA, JLC, JLCA, JLCV, JLCC, JLCD, JLCEC, JRA R and related files). Clark said the proposed changes aim to align written policy with current practice and state expectations: examples include updated language for vision and hearing screenings, deletion of an old transportation clause that permitted school personnel to transport students in personal vehicles, and clarification of emergency procedures.

Medication and self‑administration
The committee discussed a substantial rewrite of the medication policy, including clearer rules for high‑school student self‑administration. Clark said high‑school students who have parent, provider and nurse agreement may be allowed to self‑administer medication after an assessment and a written medication plan. For younger grades the nurse remains responsible for medication storage and administration. Clark and Davidson described the nurse assessment and checklist that would support self‑administration plans.

Immunizations and communicable disease language
The draft replaces colloquial references with clinical terms — for example changing “whooping cough” to “pertussis” — and clarifies annual requirements for religious‑based exemptions. Communicable‑disease language was streamlined and updated in keeping with recent public‑health guidance.

AEDs, emergency response and wellness policy
A separate policy on automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) was revised to clarify program responsibilities (program coordinator, site leader, athletic director/ designee, trainers) and to align the district’s medical emergency response plan with town EMS liaisons. Most extensively, the district presented a major rewrite of its Districtwide Wellness Policy. Clark described a broad stakeholder process: the wellness committee, clinical roundtable, food services and an outside consultant from Framingham State University/John Stalker Institute helped craft language on food literacy, nutrition education, cultural proficiency, social‑emotional learning and physical activity across grade levels. The draft adds a required annual assessment, a quarterly wellness committee schedule and clearer public posting of meeting minutes and agendas.

Food in classrooms and food services
The wellness rewrite tightens rules about birthday and holiday food in classrooms, and sets expectations that many larger “competitive food” or school‑wide events must be coordinated through the district’s food‑service vendor because of contract non‑compete clauses. The committee discussed an appeals process and a “food in the curriculum” request form that would be reviewed in advance to ensure student safety and allergy accommodations.

Procedural next steps
These are first readings; no final adoption occurred. The committee voted to table the JRA R (student records) review to the policy subcommittee and a future meeting. Clark and Davidson said they will continue fine‑tuning wording (grammar and formatting changes were noted multiple times during the review) and expected to return with a clean copy after the policy subcommittee meets.","District staff presented first readings of multiple 'J' policies covering student health services, immunizations, medication administration, AEDs and a major revision to the district wellness policy; the committee tabled the student‑records review for the policy subcommittee.",{"_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},6653324,"Easton superintendent outlines $5.4 million town shortfall, timeline for cuts and possible override",5191,8605000,13796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc&start=8605&end=13796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484054-45e7ad2a548881bf2d04588fcaba24cc/thumbnail_8605000.jpg","/articles/6653324/Massachusetts/Easton-superintendent-outlines-54-million-town-shortfall-timeline-for-cuts-and-possible-override","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653324-781ccebe176d83ef3f591fc63ae8a05d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770662433&Signature=JRTvM0SN0qsLcl-xBNIyKVajEgQkkAoJwdd0KlKHJ3FS4XXAkmdx6yZFEZYWMVgbEtxBFSEWoUN~N189IjiLBq~eU~CO3SoqWbWByInzhblM6dPEqtpwa0uorIYaPRSdTR1~R910x8YbOMI4RvF6X~MX9KHc-DHpiKalym-e-iR~-tP~y7fuRHacktye5K720GZ4PR1RUDurtnzae7cw~t93jItUi3~1sHyh0sfFJFAQPMOxnPRnLJp7xDpt7HHh1eaI6eYfXWVvG5aD2tIj0oMe~GLjCnqJHTsifK~DLkSG~duLdiqKmwsiv8IAujjNBUDueRtiTJ~XkZJmfIV-2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Jennifer Cabral told the Easton School Committee on Feb. 27 that the district is facing a townwide shortfall of roughly $5.4 million heading into the FY2026 budget process and must present a legally balanced budget in early April.

Cabral said the gap results from a combination of rising fixed costs — notably special-education tuition, transportation contracts and health‑insurance premiums — and shrinking one‑time federal grants that had helped offset expenses after the pandemic. “This is not a scare tactic. This is not a projection or an assumption. This is a mathematical reality,” Cabral said during a 90‑minute budget briefing to the committee and the public.

Why it matters: Easton Public Schools already spend a far lower per‑pupil amount than many neighboring districts, Cabral said, and roughly 85% of the district’s operating budget is personnel. That makes the budget particularly sensitive to increases in contractual obligations and to any loss of grants. Without short‑term revenue the district will be forced to make regressive cuts — reductions that roll back services — including staff reductions, larger class sizes, fewer electives and less enrichment programming.

Key figures and schedule
- Town administrator’s current estimate of the shortfall: $5,400,000 (down from an earlier $6.3M iteration).
- School rollovers and contractual increases: the payroll rollover alone is in the neighborhood of 5.7% of the district budget, Cabral said.
- Net revenue from facility fees last year (context provided in the meeting): the district brought in roughly $186,000 in gross facility fees and about $53,000 after facility‑related expenses, Cabral said (business office figures reported during the meeting).
- Important dates the superintendent outlined: school committee budget hearing April 3; school committee vote on the proposed budget April 17; town presentation/annual meeting late April/May 19; if the town pursues an operational override, the question would proceed to a ballot vote after town meeting.

Short‑ and long‑term options
Cabral described efforts on multiple fronts: short‑term relief could come from an operational override (a temporary tax increase approved by town voters); long‑term relief would require legislative changes to state education funding formulas. The central administration is pursuing both tracks: the district continues advocacy with the legislature for Chapter 70 and circuit‑breaker reforms while the town’s PACE (Promoting a Sustainable Easton) committee is studying both short‑ and long‑term revenue options.

What could be cut? Cabral walked the committee through categories that are likely targets if the shortfall is not closed: staffing, class sections and caseloads; extracurriculars, arts and electives; summer and enrichment programs; transportation; preventative facility maintenance; and some technology and professional‑development spending. She stressed that special‑education and other legal obligations will be prioritized, but noted that failing to fund some services can create future compensatory obligations under state and federal law.

Committee questions and next steps
Committee members asked about the mechanics of an override and whether the district would prepare an alternate “override budget” if the select board decides to pursue one. “If they do decide to put an override up for a vote, don’t we have to have a second budget, an override budget?” asked Committee Member Jackie Wiseman. Cabral confirmed the district would prepare whatever budget scenarios are required by the town’s timetable and that the administration’s immediate priority is producing the balanced budget required for the April hearing.

Cabral urged residents to follow PACE meetings and town information sessions and to seek the district for factual clarifications. “Please reach out to us,” she said. “If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. We would be very happy to provide information.”

Ending: The superintendent emphasized the timeline and the stakes for classroom programs and staff. She said administrators are reviewing every program and bargaining obligation and will provide committee members with proposed reductions and rationale at the April 3 budget hearing.","Superintendent Jennifer Cabral told the school committee that Easton Public Schools face a $5.4 million shortfall in the town budget picture for FY2026, outlined dates for budget hearings and votes, and warned that staffing and program cuts are likely if short‑term relief is not adopted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Feb. 27 Easton School Committee

School committee approves two out‑of‑state robotics trips; team fundraising will cover entry fees

School committee adopts new facility fees after discussion of nonprofit impact and maintenance costs

School committee reviews wide‑ranging updates to student health, medication and wellness policies

Easton superintendent outlines $5.4 million town shortfall, timeline for cuts and possible override