The joint meeting of the Southborough School Board, Neary School Committee, and the Southborough Advisory Committee held on April 4, 2025, focused on the configuration of middle school grades and the implications of integrating fifth graders into existing structures.

The meeting began with discussions on the challenges of placing fifth graders in middle schools, particularly at Trottier School. Concerns were raised about space limitations and the educational impact of mixing different grade levels. Joanne Pearson, a member of the community, questioned the decision-making process regarding grade configurations, emphasizing the importance of examining existing models in the state where fifth through eighth grades are combined.

The leadership team, which included the principal and central office staff, explained that their recommendation against a 5-8 model was based on research regarding social and emotional development, rather than direct consultations with schools currently using that configuration. They acknowledged that while many schools across Massachusetts utilize various grade groupings based on available space, their focus was on providing a recommendation grounded in educational best practices.

Further discussions highlighted the potential benefits of having fifth graders in a middle school setting, such as peer mentoring opportunities. However, the leadership team reiterated that the current design of Trottier School would not adequately support a cohesive learning environment for fifth graders, as they would not be able to be grouped together effectively.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for continued evaluation of educational strategies and the importance of aligning curriculum resources across grade levels. The leadership team committed to further exploring the implications of grade configurations and ensuring that any decisions made would prioritize the educational needs of students.