[{"_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",6253063,"mediaKeyId","3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d","parentId",3183244,"title","House budget boost and insurance changes give Nashoba officials room to consider reinstating roles cut for FY26","audioSeconds",301,"startMs",5568000,"endMs",5869000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d&start=5568&end=5869","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d/thumbnail_5568000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253063/Massachusetts/House-budget-boost-and-insurance-changes-give-Nashoba-officials-room-to-consider-reinstating-roles-cut-for-FY26","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253063-ae19e1e229f9a00074fb0f62f9315d2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814767&Signature=XRwnA8PxMhpbsl7SrQL9HSxczXK-lTNZLTFl3VahohrOAv~ozTOqPieCZ1pllk-~i96aZefBP0CKij58WL~hU0Vi7DBECqGx2TYF0CusMTWOLqz9rQsb3qK~NHs7elK~IBmjWOHW-2X5HWZu7GsLPEPCMrfvT8joBY9Flk7n9H7giyJF65Ljm-Wpc6zgZs1t4uTcByusPrtWHl2Eg5MqazR-dx2rKDZPrHz~XL4AJAoeIGjxJNzoJyi0LYhOgYwbzcyJTf3l593emsOhsgpfkGUFioMKCgw6Bg-wr6pcyUAptto9xcfGKPrGi1bZx~WKNyFDxTrWYkpcvZDmz15jCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nashoba Regional School District, MA","date","2025-05-03T00:30:37.44Z","article","The Nashoba Regional School Committee received financial updates April 30 showing tentative increases in state aid and a district plan to pilot insurance measures designed to slow health-premium growth, and administrators said those developments could enable restoration of some positions cut during budget planning.

Finance Director Ross Mulcahern told the committee that after the House Ways and Means adjustments to the FY26 state budget, updated district estimates showed a net positive change of $297,795 compared with the governor's proposal. He cautioned the committee that House figures are not final: the Senate will issue its version and a final conference committee number will not be set until later in the summer, so the district continues to present a conservative budget to member towns.

On health insurance, Mulcahern and human-resources and insurance committee members said the district faced a large premium increase during budget season and is pursuing short- and longer-term options to limit next-year cost growth. Two pilot programs negotiated with the insurer reduced the active-plan projected increase from 19.92% to 16.32%, the administration said. The district also plans to implement an insurance opt-out incentive during open enrollment for employees who can access other coverage (for example, through a spouse); the committee was told neighboring districts, such as Acton-Boxborough, have used opt-out incentives successfully.

Superintendent Kirk Downing said the district has already made staffing reductions tied to budget pressure, including eliminating one freshman-study position at Nashoba Regional High School and reducing dean positions. Downing said administration will return May 14 with a plan outlining potential reinstatements tied to any realized savings from insurance changes and confirmed state aid increases.

Committee members sought clarity about timing and how additional state aid would be treated. Downing and Mulcahern said the budget currently before town meetings is the finalized local request and cannot be changed without calling additional town meetings; any future state-aid receipts will be reflected in the district's fiscal-year accounting and may ultimately be used to replenish the district's excess and deficiency (E&D) balance or to restore positions during the fiscal year, depending on the district's priorities and constraints.

Mulcahern said the district had reached out to other districts and learned examples where opt-out incentives and plan design changes yielded material savings. He said administration will continue to update the committee as the Senate budget and final conference committee report become available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee, April 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Nashoba officials told the School Committee April 30 that an updated House budget increased the district's estimated state aid by roughly $297,795 and that insurance-plan changes and an opt-out incentive could reduce premium growth, potentially allowing the district to restore roles cut during budgeting.","taxTitle","Nashoba Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",54423,"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},6253068,"Nashoba committee debates absentee policy language and DESE reporting; members seek handbook crosswalk",433,3743000,4176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d&start=3743&end=4176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d/thumbnail_3743000.jpg","/articles/6253068/Massachusetts/Nashoba-committee-debates-absentee-policy-language-and-DESE-reporting-members-seek-handbook-crosswalk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253068-acca5cf288c616e50f94a362f4e0a61a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814767&Signature=X00F9WW8Uz0fHRcNzX~43RHmt2-PIlWHhTkPBqHfLqMSWU9rkKzExYeYLUEhsihUOmCp7O92jdGgS2ixh7qTb7XZ5JpE0miU73Ah-dFizZ2Yv6YfDKmvn1GG0yCJK1YcvjS55Q-5ED5Xe51XX~9vy5yjDZCOppjBP3TeaU78RzD~u240LL3vfjexrcTUc82GQMjBif7hmqn3XzJ8zhzFHxz2uaVtmZrcZwXgfUi-Bh~2Z63OCbTbz0klgge6RatXP33tuI98tk-lH9vL9vBA0TZ-QqBwZbKMwTCTuk9enRiBQeETa8ZqcC-GhCxTVS~tOKW2U7q0R0tDRBUDWjuJ1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School Committee members on April 30 pressed administration for clearer language about absences and how those rules connect to the student handbook and DESE reporting requirements.

During review of the consent agenda, School Committee member Sharon asked for clarification about a policy (redline labeled policy JH) that would require parents to provide a written explanation for student absences or tardiness. Sharon said she was concerned that the draft's language about providing a written explanation could be misread as automatically excusing absences, and she described a real-case example in which a student had influenza and a subsequent medical note changed how prior absences were recorded.

Superintendent Kirk Downing and staff explained that operational practice differs from the policy language and that the policy reflects statutory and regulatory reporting requirements. Administrators told the committee that the district must report absences to DESE and that the district reports absentee counts rather than coding whether each absence is excused or not for the statewide report. Committee members emphasized the human side: several members (including Sharon and Jackie) said the district's operational response should avoid frightening or punitive messages to families who are dealing with illness, medical needs or school-refusal situations.

The policy also references a DESE-related process that can lead to unenrollment after 10 consecutive days. Committee members asked whether that unenrollment procedure is an operational practice or a policy requirement; administrators confirmed the regulation exists but said their local practice has been to work with families and not to immediately unenroll students and that school staff typically take multiple steps before removing a student from the rolls.

The policy subcommittee's redline included notes from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) about DESE minimum requirements; members agreed those notes reflected items appropriate for inclusion in student handbooks rather than codified policy language. Several members asked that handbook language be reviewed alongside the policy to ensure policies and operational practices align. The committee decided to move the consent agenda forward while acknowledging members' requests to crosswalk the policy language with handbook procedures. One committee member asked for a brief follow-up or an asterisk in committee materials to note the need to address handbook crosswalks.

Members flagged two distinct issues: (1) the policy must meet DESE's minimum reporting requirements and (2) the day-to-day implementation and family communications (how and when parents are notified, how medical notes are processed, and how school refusal is handled) should be clarified in the student handbook and administrative procedures. Administration said it will bring handbook language and operational protocols to upcoming meetings (the high-school handbook discussion was scheduled for May 28) and that a personnel/operations follow-up will take place to ensure families receive supportive, not punitive, outreach when students are absent for extended periods.","Trustees discussed proposed changes to the district's absence and dropout-prevention language during the consent-agenda review, raising concerns about the distinction between \"notification\" and \"excused\" absences and how DESE reporting and unenrollment after 10 consecutive days will be handled operationally.",{"_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},6253073,"Nashoba committee approves limited school-choice openings, sets application timeline and grade caps",407,2863000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d&start=2863&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d/thumbnail_2863000.jpg","/articles/6253073/Massachusetts/Nashoba-committee-approves-limited-school-choice-openings-sets-application-timeline-and-grade-caps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253073-6376e2b190d04cfe4adbfac0d0bf70f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814767&Signature=HFUqUUf2zfFxcjAwBa24Dxl3MW1ujNqE8A9MiMKw7-xK98mCuqWf-bXEntPBY0XuaCZLzJot1LNbrjUzVRO07~JulVsTczwEbE2MQ012mwHkzWghsbM02RR68zqQ2Gzdp5Tn7qZ2IAJJML5WSBaU70MF4epEmP2SJv5R3Bzs6t3CknfWPUCoDpeJKdni9FQrJz4cf~gMX87Ex3BZ5pRuH1xPqO6DbCAfXnFgk9T9JFLJNARvEPLnPRYbVnnpVurvWjlUnVpg6KUN-IVsokmkmApsOE35m5ANBBnyuiJF3AHJemKmj6ccyn1zQ7beDIZt40W7wVGJ5BatszWrQyUb3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nashoba Regional School Committee voted April 30 to partially open the district's school-choice program for the 2025-26 school year, adopting the superintendent's recommendation that limits openings by grade and location and sets a timetable for applications and a public lottery.

Superintendent Kirk Downing presented the recommendation during a public school-choice hearing and review of slides that repeated guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): districts remain open to school choice unless they vote to close by June 1, they may limit seats and assignment locations, and lotteries are used when applicants exceed seats. Downing recommended not opening choice for kindergarten through grade 2, holding class-size buffers (no more than 22 students per class for choice enrollment in younger grades, 24 in grades 3 and up), and capping district and school-level totals in order to avoid exceeding target grade ceilings.

Downing said the district would cap fourth-grade acceptance to four students across the district to avoid surpassing a 260-student threshold in the affected grade levels and summarized school-level seat openings: Nashoba Regional High School would add four seats at grades 10, 11 and 12 (grade 9 would remain closed because it exceeds the 220-student threshold); Florence Sawyer, Mary Rowlandson, Luther Burbank, Center School, and Hill Middle School had school- and grade-specific openings and closures as detailed in Downing's slides. He also said employees may enroll children under the same rules and that siblings of enrolled choice students receive preference prior to any lottery.

For the application process, Downing said applications will open Friday, May 2, and the deadline is May 29 at 12:00 p.m. A public lottery, if necessary, will be held Friday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the School Committee Room at 50 Mechanic Street in Bolton; late applications after the lottery will be held on a first-come, first-served basis if seats remain available. Downing added that no applicants will be accepted after June 26, 2025, to allow planning for the next school year.

During the hearing staff answered parent questions about how to access the application (a pop-up on nrsd.net), and committee members heard from at least one resident who asked about specific grade availability. After the public-hearing portion closed, the committee moved to a formal vote in regular session and approved the superintendent's recommendation. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

The committee and administration noted the motion's stated limits are intended to preserve balance across grades and schools and to avoid unplanned staff increases. The superintendent and staff will manage application intake, lotteries if needed, and communication to families.

The approval means the district will participate in school choice in the limited fashion presented; the committee also recorded the procedural details for application windows and the lottery date so families and school staff can plan.","The Nashoba Regional School Committee voted April 30 to partially open the district's school-choice program for 2025-26 with grade- and school-specific seat caps and a public lottery timetable; the superintendent outlined recommended limits intended to protect class-size thresholds.",{"_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},6253058,"Nashoba high school expands innovation pathways, adds dual-enrollment courses and seeks IT designation",162,6384000,6546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d&start=6384&end=6546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183244-dbf866df708fec2e14144044bb244a6d/thumbnail_6384000.jpg","/articles/6253058/Massachusetts/Nashoba-high-school-expands-innovation-pathways-adds-dual-enrollment-courses-and-seeks-IT-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253058-3476c5fded518510a9e0c18c9b48a32d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814767&Signature=RWQAFuVslFN5PxX7L5bZ-WSLOoDWCYNjS5UUukivgUUyskFUPxqaykaSshyMkH17r86LSeR0nU-GWo8Iag3kokxMWfIQfWPYurP9X1L~4fBxvp97yaoUaipOOM395tiwZQhsxtVElwDQEZrOij3Q6IYy34zeNRr7YFK7Sb7de50W71vu9NvtgA7gnh2MRl50foqMMBjtjLu657v8B0FMdg64EYYVZKGCcwz3fS6kZ0OuMs6B4sRslXx-OPEHPZ~A7xsuc~elYhfVBz9dWpiU4l4K6~yztmI-hjxGGccovoGErjKvgvvHhsIDnMqJvwDYLFAH5evNIorNthmpHuI38Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nashoba Regional School Committee heard April 30 that the high school's innovation pathways program has increased enrollment and expanded its curriculum, including two dual-enrollment courses approved through Middlesex Community College and a planned start of Engineering Essentials (Project Lead The Way) next year.

Bridget Hannigan, innovation pathways coordinator, told the committee the district currently offers advanced engineering & manufacturing and business & finance pathways and that each pathway can accommodate up to 20 students per graduating class; administrators said current capacity has been sufficient to accept students who applied this year. The district secured approval for two dual-enrollment classes through Middlesex Community College: Product Development for Entrepreneurs (relevant to both pathways) and Tech Essentials for the Modern World 1 and 2 (supporting business & finance). The district has submitted additional course proposals and awaited further approvals.

Hannigan said the district has applied for designation of a third pathway in Information Technology, which would add approximately 20 seats per graduating class and expand opportunities in digital creation, graphic design, data, computer science and media production if approved. The total capacity across three pathways would then be about 60 students per graduating class.

Hannigan and Assistant Superintendent Friend noted the district has updated the innovation-pathways website to make information about applications, graduation requirements and industry partnerships easier for families to find, and they said they will continue parent, student and guidance outreach via a monthly pathways newsletter. Committee members received the update as informational.","District officials reported April 30 that the high school's innovation pathways program has grown and added two Middlesex Community College dual-enrollment courses; the district has applied for an information-technology pathway that would expand capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House budget boost and insurance changes give Nashoba officials room to consider reinstating roles cut for FY26

Nashoba committee debates absentee policy language and DESE reporting; members seek handbook crosswalk

Nashoba committee approves limited school-choice openings, sets application timeline and grade caps

Nashoba high school expands innovation pathways, adds dual-enrollment courses and seeks IT designation