[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,76,88,100,111,123],{"_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",6569498,"mediaKeyId","3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de","parentId",3182776,"title","Votes at a glance: Walpole School Committee actions, May 1, 2025","audioSeconds",2832,"startMs",228000,"endMs",3060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=228&end=3060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_228000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569498/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Walpole-School-Committee-actions-May-1-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569498-b38d2290fec5661bf2cc8bb672d232a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=NyYcHudxpuFvH~hFI1V5NFaQTzSahtG0v3l9DZ4A2l6O3ATunMAuMlPHm5QE~CX4D56HwRFus-2PpSrK~snt4qhfIBkhL2KFeYpVRQgMvisIqEiX3IYQ1gxMC4l-9Dx8DIbzpvkZS9C~rEAIrOQ1mtaoQ2eq9YPcJtdr3mJAgqic2hPTt3Yxh1l0g~JFl3IymQpZvUZiuAP55MeKarwIxPj2BhjgQJC6FHdFmk3iWC5rw8h1jNEUckvwy6BRmLkW8GOv763jZwiwtnNomyZyFC6Ga8mjZid442nNHqO8Ff5mBIuEaUImNw4~E~prinC8Fmo-I6DjVcqpZKkRpKkHLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walpole Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-02T20:53:25.66Z","article","The Walpole School Committee recorded the following formal votes on May 1, 2025. All votes listed below passed unanimously (5–0–0) unless otherwise noted.

- Not to become a school-choice district for the 2025–26 school year. Motion: \"Motion to not become a school choice district for the 2025–26 school year.\" Mover: Mr. Breen. Second: Mrs. Gallivan. Outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

- Approve out-of-country student field trip to Rwanda in February 2026. Motion: \"Motion to approve the out-of-state, out-of-country field trip to Rwanda in February 2026.\" Mover: Miss Denizio. Second: Mr. Breen. Outcome: approved, 5–0–0. Trip price stated: $6,269 per student (plus estimated tips).

- Ratify memorandum of agreement between the Walpole School Committee and Walpole Teachers Association (09/01/2025–08/31/2028). Motion: \"Motion to ratify the memorandum of agreement between the Walpole Teachers Association and the school committee for the 2025–2028 school year.\" Mover: Ms. Sabrine. Second: Miss Denizio. Outcome: approved, 5–0–0. Key contract terms summarized at the meeting: COLA 2.5%, 2.5%, 3%; top-step adjustment; leave provisions; ESP/VIP pay adjustments.

- Approve revised FY2026 school budget of $57,955,945 (align with town administrator’s recommended budget). Motion: \"Motion to approve a FY2026 school budget of $57,955,945.\" Mover: Mrs. Gallivan. Second: Ms. Sabrine. Outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

- Designate Superintendent Dr. Goff as the district’s voting representative to the Bi-County (BICO) collaborative for 2025–26. Motion: moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

- Reappoint Mrs. Gallivan as the district representative to the Tech Collaborative board for 2025–26. Motion: moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

- Approve FY25–26 school-year calendar with December 23 as a half day. Motion: moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

- Approve payroll and accounts-payable warrants, gifts and donations, and meeting minutes as listed in the agenda (various warrant and donation numbers were read and approved). Motion(s): moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 5–0–0.

The meeting closed after approval of warrants, donations and minutes; an adjournment motion carried 5–0–0.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee - May 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and recorded outcomes from the May 1 Walpole School Committee meeting, including budget adoption, contract ratification, field-trip approval and calendar and committee-designation votes.","taxTitle","Walpole Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71120,"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},6569502,"School committee approves student service-learning trip to Rwanda in February 2026",206,408000,614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=408&end=614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_408000.jpg","/articles/6569502/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-student-service-learning-trip-to-Rwanda-in-February-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569502-d015ec4a00ebc8262fc9d64026cc7b46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=X48Ox7MXAyJOX1udSLT9iUukw0OdNsg~~qXU4gTiK7PsK4P-lKy3VmCNDM0kt3jHI~XDVYz6-kkUSfQONHymqWBY0y2pez7ohxniU2hrProC00ktNHb~xQmwb6-XYmC1EvzwKMvTcdL8Qvaq3K-7ZhHc5Xej4O7iyplH0R90sJPtWLmO1t61hpXr3kRzmH9sALq4y9HpFT9tazY4X9UrEYVQ~qftADWLPf9~Lgx~HEfu4l~U-oa3BZZ2Lmx6qUKGT-MHXLURCymtBxvt8RJ9evJBvOyxJBiUiDmk0bh6uZ~eOaZItrkT7smCpZj4yISm0KkEojgrol9IYqp8I7w0ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walpole School Committee approved a proposed student service-learning trip to Rwanda scheduled for February 2026.

Presenters Sue Wick and Lindsey Rykild described a 10-day itinerary priced at $6,269 per student, which includes travel, lodging, food, sightseeing and global travel protection; participants would pay additional tips estimated at $100–$150. The itinerary includes visits to Kigali and the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a stay in a remote village for approximately 10–12 hours of service learning (typically a morning or afternoon session with cultural immersion during the rest of the day), and a multi-modal wildlife experience at Akagera National Park with jeep, boat and nocturnal safari components.

Committee member Miss Denizio moved to approve the out-of-country field trip; Mr. Breen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously, recorded as 5–0–0. Committee members thanked the presenters and offered to volunteer as chaperones if additional adult supervision is needed.

Why it matters: The trip provides a service-learning and cultural-immersion experience for participating students; students and families will be responsible for the stated trip cost and any additional incidental expenses. The district confirmed the U.S. State Department travel advisory for Rwanda had been lowered to Level 2 and that prior cancellations due to a health event had resulted in refunds for earlier travelers.","The committee approved an out-of-country service-learning trip to Rwanda for February 2026; the 10-day trip price is $6,269 per student and includes Kigali, a genocide memorial visit, service learning in a rural village and safaris in Akagera National Park.",{"_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},6569505,"Walpole health and PE department outlines curriculum review, plans to add nutrition and safety lessons",464,616000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=616&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6569505/Massachusetts/Walpole-health-and-PE-department-outlines-curriculum-review-plans-to-add-nutrition-and-safety-lessons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569505-d3cdc75130e28b13871aa5092d944c14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=jT1kSi5A57eJCuHjY2Sv0mEz-Y3u6wsGugc-y9C~GWUFjm0Pm82KsPqaB~A2LfMUlutjyz3fBH4mTq5ZKEUttg4opW~doizlNjY8KHBoweuofG2HAjpvJBiZG2M1gQ-0jF~vcvy~~i2ou0Ep1tkFOJLygfeVa~QHSHKBiCrlv4OwDLIEAVH9sBcUR8m9r7-~uw~UpwwvcOje1uH5A4HcWpeanyN6Dpb4tfsoTBJgoGs6dRJITZUN4wnH6D-c020kavdZNd1uX4MzJ1CIpRWq~jQwiqZ38uAddvS0~O7apY82EAHCoXOlkKnll9-yNpE6JN4hXNw2Ri~IH~FbOR1e4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walpole’s health and physical education department reported the results of a curriculum review on May 1 and outlined a phased plan to add lessons that map to new state standards.

Coach Wall, presenting the wellness update, told the committee the department reviewed the standards across grade bands and found approximate coverage levels of 70% at elementary grades (K–5), 78% at middle school and 64% at high school. He recommended targeted additions rather than wholesale change: a single nutrition and balanced-diet lesson to be implemented across all elementary schools; guest public speakers or school resource officers for middle-school personal-safety topics; and added balanced-nutrition instruction at the high school.

Coach Wall said the new standards are “very health heavy,” encompassing nutrition, social media, hygiene and community health. The department plans a tiered approach: implement a small number of new lessons in September, evaluate, then add more in subsequent years. He also highlighted program activities — Best Buddies fundraising, robotics results, peer leaders assisting elementary field day and a new weight room used for seventh-grade strength training — and noted the district earned an American Heart Association grant again for promoting 60 minutes of daily activity.

Committee members praised the presentation, noted the value of seeing photos and implementation details, and asked for continued updates as lessons are added. There was no formal vote on the curriculum report; the presentation was received for information.

Why it matters: The review ties local practice to updated state standards and will guide lesson planning across K–12, affecting health, wellness and physical-education instruction districtwide.","Coach Wall told the School Committee the district’s curriculum review shows partial completion of new state health and physical education standards and proposed targeted additions — nutrition lessons in elementary grades, guest speakers for middle-school personal-safety topics and balanced-nutrition lessons at the high school.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":46,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569507,"Walpole committee adopts revised FY26 school budget after new state aid and settlements",300,2760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=2760&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_2760000.jpg","/articles/6569507/Massachusetts/Walpole-committee-adopts-revised-FY26-school-budget-after-new-state-aid-and-settlements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569507-d9a9465fa03e1b2338458574162b988c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=Ce~Hz0ZF3m1nk4CyV9bvTyQ4fmnlZuu-8kbLBq6SyH5hLICT3gCUbJRiCNSOO3oDRpYwQUVE26tyPty1OrLPO-83Y6Fs3uL4LVK4SmNLO8LnID3pRL8X6jD~6fYtbWP8pRRsYD-EIxS8MU71pvCca0wS9DEqb~bTFpr4zMH389LtBKis6RM23hy-hiukvqngyHUCsjEAruMTjpG1OhkScH8y8np89d~sG2VHC749GANAa3K9q6itV~7FlJccKRy~JyvhAGeiUb1-V9NNS7AQ6M3cdGr0fbSj-ahqQNZlWfaP5MyvA3hZa-G~Ke46ulCFGqW6aW3I1R~879cY94kVUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walpole School Committee voted 5–0 on May 1 to revise its FY2026 school budget to $57,955,945, aligning the school committee’s number with the town administrator’s recommended budget.

Superintendent Prisha and district finance staff briefed the committee on revenue changes since the January budget: settlement of the teachers’ contract, updated state aid projections, the town administrator’s recommended recurring revenue of $650,000 to be appropriated at fall town meeting, and an unexpected $416,000 in extraordinary relief. The department’s personnel reductions of $650,000 also contributed to closing the gap created by an earlier $1.6 million deficit this year.

Given those adjustments, the superintendent recommended revising the committee’s budget figure to match the town administrator’s proposed number. A committee member moved to approve the revised FY26 budget figure of $57,955,945; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The revised figure reflects recent revenue updates and negotiated personnel costs and will be used for the district’s planning for the coming fiscal year.","Committee approved a revised FY2026 school budget of $57,955,945, citing updated state aid projections, a $416,000 extraordinary relief allocation and personnel reductions; vote was 5–0–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569509,"Walpole School Committee ratifies three-year contract with teachers union",2204,326000,2530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=326&end=2530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_326000.jpg","/articles/6569509/Massachusetts/Walpole-School-Committee-ratifies-three-year-contract-with-teachers-union","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569509-60bb51ac1374271348a79669eff67754/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=HQAsxfmOWGxZ5ni109ujmbqWtx31AjHj2Slhh5BqhY9xCGD-jnOha9C8f61aTesI8wbiBY2xl~d6eQTzVn6Ulj7FiGSfM91RLNHl~EmTX5y-1pgwzwecqT0RoFQQGE9bq~JieBerPwZWYSMDJ6LngOROgI2oQJHamN6n3a5EwRiCAfgTWcX4iyAqNQGOgzjeDntC--qBwN-wva8s3wK4T3otlY4RgBdnPRUODLZBq9Qac3QfG8laPP1ncPy6-IO2n~dS3fmYUT543bmZmLv5nzYDJg8gaFWtbynyzHsRaJA8l3Heq6Gz~qjS9WSQ4Vdf38EROOfV7VSLvNiShnpH8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walpole School Committee unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement with the Walpole Teachers Association on May 1, ratifying a three-year contract covering Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2028.

District representatives summarized key financial and personnel provisions: cost-of-living adjustments of 2.5% for year one, 2.5% for year two and 3% for year three; an adjustment to the top step of the salary scale; changes to maternity, adoption and paternity leave; temporary leave-of-absence provisions; changes to ESP (education support professional) contract terms; additional pay for staff who work in the VIP program; and minor changes to evaluation procedures and standardized time-off request processes.

Committee members praised the negotiation process. A district presenter described the talks as “productive” and said important collaborative conversations occurred on issues that fall outside the contract language but affect working relationships. The formal motion to ratify the agreement passed 5–0–0.

Why it matters: The agreement sets salary and leave terms for teachers and some support staff for the next three academic years and is expected to affect the district’s personnel costs incorporated into the FY26+ budgets.

Vote: The committee voted to ratify the memorandum of agreement; the union had already ratified the contract earlier in the process.","The School Committee unanimously ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Walpole Teachers Association covering Sept. 1, 2025–Aug. 31, 2028, including 2.5%, 2.5% and 3% cost-of-living adjustments and other personnel provisions.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569510,"Walpole School Committee votes not to become a school-choice district for 2025–26",304,46000,350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de&start=46&end=350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182776-3bd816812837f8c18d00970d6f87f3de/thumbnail_46000.jpg","/articles/6569510/Massachusetts/Walpole-School-Committee-votes-not-to-become-a-school-choice-district-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569510-72ce238fbdcfc2993fc9cf78750a1fd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039179&Signature=kL2xUv~yoUnAQWzW8TE-bL7WcjnGdf9-uXyBLdKh~wlq5slhkrqyMLx8rPQm21l80Xf6Wg5583gjuwojWXJol7o68CR5I3ptGtM3NkMRvWOCwrW0~dmWX5xx97owUWr18SK0S9R4vpnpEtjxFuTePSHo5jOfudXMvOvw9Qum-1ejboUEmhWhXthrKxOJSvELjdzCiOuqottD6dFUggqSkEiMNU1lUuTeTYUguyrFvTLOutXBf6uc6vvQnaJtpeMhs92ah1u07iQPFbRJ1t9XuVX1RU3QWJNnucB36Nqy~~kd1Aoy2tJd-S~X1DcYSBiC~5HPgMPksTpwUD2frvhtdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walpole School Committee voted 5–0 on May 1 to decline school-choice status for the 2025–26 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Goff recommended that the committee not opt into school choice for the coming year, saying the decision depends on class sizes, available seats and whether accepting out-of-district students would adversely affect the district’s budget. Dr. Goff also told the committee that school-choice payments are capped, “I believe, at $5,000 per student,” as one factor informing the recommendation.

The school committee opened a public hearing on school choice and offered time for public comment; no members of the public spoke during the hearing. Committee member Mrs. Gallivan told the board she agreed that “now’s not the time, with the budget uncertainties.” After discussion, the committee moved and seconded a formal motion to not become a school-choice district; the motion passed 5–0–0.

Why it matters: School-choice decisions determine whether a district will accept students from other towns and receive state tuition reimbursement. For Walpole, committee members said uncertainty about the FY26 budget and available classroom space made declining choice the prudent option this year.

The committee’s decision is an annual one; Dr. Goff told members the committee may revisit the question in future years as budget and enrollment data change.

Votes and procedure: The committee first moved to open the public hearing on school choice and later closed that hearing before taking the final vote. The formal motion to decline school choice for 2025–26 passed unanimously, recorded as 5–0–0.","After a public hearing and a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Goff, the Walpole School Committee voted 5–0 to decline school-choice status for the 2025–26 school year, citing budget uncertainty, classroom capacity and enrollment impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Walpole School Committee actions, May 1, 2025

School committee approves student service-learning trip to Rwanda in February 2026

Walpole health and PE department outlines curriculum review, plans to add nutrition and safety lessons

Walpole committee adopts revised FY26 school budget after new state aid and settlements

Walpole School Committee ratifies three-year contract with teachers union

Walpole School Committee votes not to become a school-choice district for 2025–26