[{"_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",6280353,"mediaKeyId","2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae","parentId",2615683,"title","Committee authorizes MSBA statements of interest for two roofs, approves 2025–26 calendar and other routine business","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",2905000,"endMs",3391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae&start=2905&end=3391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae/thumbnail_2905000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280353/Massachusetts/Committee-authorizes-MSBA-statements-of-interest-for-two-roofs-approves-202526-calendar-and-other-routine-business","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280353-adc96c9e60444079a359e5dd81a151b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136334&Signature=aAzgy1fYfcnxaaH3ajZl6tYh5nh2c-8W8sddGi6JDKbwq5g5actbu6g70fCCiP2z7~ilGHazuJLpG0tohJuzwHwFR8QjQl0kNDhftiSoS22bu40yw~S20okcAkK70evN0hGPP~eWpXAX60GqSOQs5KXiYyerJI~uPNWtFzur43VoySszYQ-vK2QhOn0wdDX9tKoDqc7jSCjaQD3F-sjXf~-JpZDnUi17VWt49lEt~zg4qOJLj4JFxJQd5InDiO4ZoqWJr0LWivpEB9RPqJGy1nLww4Iw~cGbwb~JOqycGiFMOOa-eRaSL-LwHswkBcs1PU~LwcHDnAAqzMDtQ2kLKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, MA","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District school committee on March 12 authorized the superintendent to submit two statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for accelerated-repair funding: one for the Marion Stoddard Middle School entryway metal roof and one for the Swallow Union Elementary School roof.

Sherry (staff member) presented photographs and an independent-engineer review in the meeting packet and told the committee the MSBA visit team had seen the roofs during recent site visits. Committee members were warned the statement-of-interest (SOI) process does not obligate the district to carry out repairs or accept grant terms — it only lets the MSBA evaluate need and potential partial funding. A motion to authorize the superintendent to submit the two SOIs passed unanimously.

The committee also approved the district's 2025–26 school calendar as presented. The calendar includes two full days reserved for kindergarten screening; the administration said the dates are timed in late May to align with current practice and are intended to let district staff perform screenings in kindergarten classrooms rather than requiring substitutes while kindergarteners attend school. Administration said the change does not conflict with state-day-count requirements and that principals will work to adjust service-provider schedules so students receiving related services are not denied required supports.

Other routine votes: the committee appointed two school committee members as liaisons to a new food-service advisory group and confirmed a community member volunteer; approved meeting minutes from March 5; and approved payroll and accounts-payable warrants totaling $4,235,371.75 (payroll warrants of $2,303,528.05 and AP warrants of $1,931,843.70). All motions on the consent agenda passed by recorded voice votes.

Ending: Administrators said the MSBA SOI deadline is next Friday and that the district will await MSBA review to learn whether and how much state funding might be offered if the district pursues a repair project.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Groton-Dunstable School Committee 3/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","The school committee authorized the superintendent to submit MSBA statements of interest for roof repairs at Marion Stoddard Middle School and Swallow Union Elementary and approved the 2025–26 school calendar and consent items on March 12.","taxTitle","Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69160,"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},6280354,"Groton-Dunstable committee certifies $51.37 million FY26 budget, outlines override scenarios",1336,1560000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae&start=1560&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae/thumbnail_1560000.jpg","/articles/6280354/Massachusetts/Groton-Dunstable-committee-certifies-5137-million-FY26-budget-outlines-override-scenarios","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280354-d14021e9806b5b8c52b5c2623e6e9f2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136334&Signature=D1~2d5AO3J7a09OpPPtSdcbasZ9qu1cSecGrjwQF~AeuTjPS~7y0RP6OjnfpuQWBBqfEhjf5NsqQWb7N7BQwhg~at7RFOerI0LqyKc6be117NE19frNEh9R2pT9KQTukt-~rNJ2MrdQ8y~eIbFGTb77Hv~g4RdMRkZ3aP0kDYul7JdUE8raLplQcCTKLETjQJEReLV3Qahx5X1KkMZXeuzY-WXP9kkZlxb1AdENP3VbfVVF-kUT-Vby~NwBegWNt56~Mj54IurKP8LSXTcql3VthFCZhDTI7iOzYSHGXDYB62xelcWAWeRiM8ZHE4qCekDUfM8ONomwwOyjNbYdRPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District school committee voted March 12 to set the district's fiscal 2026 appropriation at $51,369,833 and to assess member towns as presented.

The certified appropriation covers district leadership and administration, instructional services, other school services, maintenance and fixed charges; the superintendent and staff described three budget scenarios that range from the superintendent's proposed budget with no personnel reductions to deeper cuts that would be necessary if voters do not approve local overrides.

The superintendent and finance staff told the committee the operating increase in the proposed budget now stands at 6.53% after a lower-than-expected health-benefit renewal reduced projected costs. The presentation described three scenarios: the superintendent's proposed budget (no personnel reductions) that would require operational overrides in both towns; a second scenario with targeted personnel reductions and an override in Dunstable only; and a third, more severe reduction scenario that would require no override but would cut roughly $1.7 million and multiple FTEs.

Sherry (staff member) explained calculations for the scenarios and corrections made since the board last saw the slides. The materials showed the superintendent's proposed budget would require an additional $673,250 to Groton and $502,714 to Dunstable in operational overrides; the school portion attributed to the joint district for Groton was listed as $387,450 in the presentation.

The superintendent emphasized how staff reductions and frozen positions in prior years are changing service levels across buildings. She cited specific, building-level differences from last year to this year — for example, fewer reading interventionists at Florence Roche and at Swallow Union, elimination of an interventionist at Swallow Union, and a reduction in nursing coverage that left one middle-school nurse covering both buildings at certain times — and said, \"This is different,\" to underscore the administration's reason for seeking local overrides.

After discussion, a motion to set the total FY2026 appropriation passed on a roll-call vote. Committee members voting in favor included the members recorded on the roll call as Roe, Rosanna, Faye, Catherine, Christina and the committee chair (recorded as \"myself\" in the minutes); there were no recorded no votes.

What comes next: the district will continue outreach with Groton and Dunstable town officials, present the scenarios publicly, and proceed with the statutory timetable for certification. The administration said work continues to identify efficiencies and pursue state advocacy (including Chapter 70 reform) to decrease the district's reliance on local overrides.

Votes at the meeting included multiple related budget actions and were recorded in the minutes; the certified appropriation motion is in the public packet filed with the March 12 meeting materials.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff, and the administration said it will provide further detail on assessment impacts and next steps to both towns as the override discussions continue.","The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District school committee voted March 12 to set the FY2026 appropriation at $51,369,833, presenting three budget scenarios and identifying potential override amounts for Groton and Dunstable.",{"_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},6280347,"Coaches, athletes recap winter seasons; Romick hits 1,000-point milestone",1452,13000,1465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae&start=13&end=1465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae/thumbnail_13000.jpg","/articles/6280347/Massachusetts/Coaches-athletes-recap-winter-seasons-Romick-hits-1000-point-milestone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280347-6dcd3f9635d8b9b3b191771ee56f89be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136334&Signature=RWlJAdPnY2A2vxo1d-YbTY7wMl7rv8UkINt6Ufken5AZFe5Mxx2IkV6Wg02Y5OnRGrlbO0t531SQIev~Hk3E1Dr98SoGi~I8NnCyojI8gz1KqsKvPJlAIP752kjUxZSIGWly3KpRmtH57~YvPt6LZ76OYEbwSkO1UrvO5cu2oDUTasrqtpYKtFNtbUwHu~vqR~9fdBevJN5EZ5xu-lxykB5wG~A872z68xcA5Fk7AQoqlxnt~XQ8-fsSiTigZW~pRU1zw-y6xMYO8x6BnyfsRM-9QFlyzMaTt33HwuufGKLjsNIyjm4BDEsqefOauFDPk~cvctU2vr3N1jnUMPN0-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coaches and student-athletes from Groton-Dunstable presented a review of the district's winter sports at the March 12 school committee meeting.

Jordan Porter, a high-school paraeducator and coach, introduced several teams and summarized season highlights: the boys basketball team traveled for preseason scrimmages and finished a holiday tournament 2–1; two boys earned league all-star honors (Finn Frasier and Zach Romick) and Zach Romick reached a 1,000-point career milestone. The girls basketball team finished 13–9 after a coaching change and had three league all stars (Allegra Gruderman, Anna Stenstrom and Mackenzie Pauley); the team held a women's-sports recognition game and attended a Clark University tournament.

Cheerleading coaches and student captains described a year with program growth: the middle-school and varsity squads finished second in their league competition and worked on stunting, jumps and halftime routines. The hockey coach, Brandon McCann, and junior captains Rob Flynn and Drew McKinnon described improved team chemistry, stronger attendance and plans to support youth hockey and community recognition nights. Gymnastics coach Bill Kane and captains Reagan Donovan and Courtney described multi-school co-op benefits and past undefeated seasons; Alpine ski coach Bob Pelletier highlighted a top-11 individual finish at states by Jackson Frazier and emphasis on dry-land training and injury prevention. Indoor track coach Chris Vellante and team captains reported five new school records this season and multiple league all stars; athletes described fundraising work to support invitational travel.

Committee members thanked coaches and athletes for their presentations and congratulated Zach Romick on the 1,000-point milestone. Several committee members invited teams to return with updates in future seasons.

Ending: The school committee expressed appreciation to coaches, student leaders and families for the season and noted the programs' roles in student engagement.","Coaches and student-athletes from Groton-Dunstable presented highlights from winter sports on March 12, including boys basketball player Zach Romick scoring his 1,000th point, girls basketball turnaround to 13–9, cheerleading trophy and hockey and ski team accomplishments.",{"_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},6280350,"Midyear reading, math and SEL data show gains; committee flags middle-school math concerns",4237,3932000,8169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae&start=3932&end=8169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615683-ac2940f05612c0c191075bfac12ea4ae/thumbnail_3932000.jpg","/articles/6280350/Massachusetts/Midyear-reading-math-and-SEL-data-show-gains-committee-flags-middle-school-math-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280350-e3888a46dce721aafca6cd046e434ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136334&Signature=SlEcBl-Zm5NrCUhZ30NRcqq4zfaDgyHjZS9yUVvnzTNyefoPmcjSoOo~u-D02hKGCC-92ltcNiX8X2zIYTZe65GP38sEh6T4AJAO2S4WfaD6ZzbX4Rw~4HEVLkZkSceWOCViRgEUSI9rBwHmlhCL46kxdi8EZR6-dNLY6WrPT4z7Ch1Byr1rqHDv~HFhb~Qm5OYxXFT7iY7xi7M7bVjzr6h5uj8gj3sDxd5-1bM7C623rw3JIe5aFAJQtLGlRIAZAVXq10FTnhQLpmfdcY5qSjZXBMCBUKvo2y65QFYpveqq4ns23cPvQJBh8m1x7A1-ic8Z9WsFQwKrVMaXKxQD3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented midyear academic and social-emotional data at the March 12 school committee meeting, showing mixed results across grade bands.

Kristen (district assessment lead) reported midyear DIBELS benchmark results for K–4 that showed fewer students in the intensive (red) category and growth in on-grade-level and above-grade-level bands. She said family reports were sent home with explanatory videos and that intervention groups and progress monitoring will continue into spring. Kristen noted that some grade levels — particularly second grade — showed notable midyear improvement in reading screeners.

For mathematics, staff presented IXL benchmark results covering grades 1–8. The district saw movement out of far-below categories in several elementary grades, and building-level differences emerged: Swallow Union showed strong fourth-grade results and an instructional initiative called Building Thinking Classrooms was cited as a possible contributor to gains. Jen Denine (math interventionist) described how teachers used strand-level data from IXL in a dedicated content session to identify students whose average score masked weaker specific skills (for example, strong computation but weaker algebraic/ratio reasoning). Jen described targeted, short-term pulls for students and teacher-created class interventions and encouraged continued grade-level data work.

Multiple committee members and staff discussed a persistent middle-school math gap. Committee discussion noted the transition from elementary schedules and instructional formats to middle-school periods (shorter blocks) and the district's limited middle-school intervention capacity; staff said most intensive (tier 3) intervention is provided but tier 2 supports must be pushed into classrooms given current staffing. Kristen and Jen said Building Thinking Classrooms practices and coordinated curriculum work across grades and into high school are underway and cited seventh grade as an example where the instructional model is producing higher \"dark green\"—above-grade-level—results.

On social-emotional learning, Abby Couture presented DESSA results (teacher report form at elementary; student self-report trial in middle school). She said the district piloted DESSA in first grade last year and expanded K–4 this year; results showed reductions in the percentage of students scoring in the \"need instruction\" band from fall to winter in each elementary grade presented (examples given: kindergarten fall 18% → winter 6%; second grade 16% → 3%; fourth grade 18% → 6%). Abby said teams used results to adjust Second Step curriculum timing and counselors revised lesson plans to match observed needs.

Committee members praised the growing data culture and teacher use of assessment data, and some members urged faster or larger-scale interventions for middle-school math. Staff noted constraints — fewer interventionist FTEs and schedule limitations at the middle school — and said next steps include continued data dives, targeted professional development (division strategies, fraction progression work, Building Thinking Classrooms rollout), and exploring options to increase intervention time where feasible.

Ending: Administrators said they will return with spring benchmark results, details on outreach to families, and plans for targeted supports ahead of MCAS and summer.","District presentations of DIBELS (reading), IXL (math) and DESSA (social-emotional learning) showed midyear gains in elementary reading and SEL reductions in students needing instruction; math data showed district gains but persistent challenges in middle-school math prompting discussion of instructional strategies and intervention capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee authorizes MSBA statements of interest for two roofs, approves 2025–26 calendar and other routine business

Groton-Dunstable committee certifies $51.37 million FY26 budget, outlines override scenarios

Coaches, athletes recap winter seasons; Romick hits 1,000-point milestone

Midyear reading, math and SEL data show gains; committee flags middle-school math concerns