The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee convened on May 21, 2025, to discuss several key topics, including the financial benefits of employing a school psychologist and potential collaboration with Acushnet Public Schools regarding high school enrollment.

A significant discussion centered on the cost savings achieved by hiring a school psychologist instead of outsourcing these services. Committee members noted that last year, outsourcing costs reached approximately $60,000, which included out-of-district evaluations. This year, the district has saved an estimated $5,000 to $6,000 by employing a psychologist directly, a trend expected to continue in the future.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing evaluation of high school selection options for Acushnet students. Currently, Acushnet students in grade 8 can choose from several high schools, but the district is reevaluating these options. A committee member proposed that Freetown-Lakeville Regional Schools could be an attractive choice for Acushnet students, highlighting the district's strong academic and extracurricular programs. The committee member has reached out to Acushnet's superintendent for further information and hopes to present a proposal to the committee in June.

In addition to these discussions, the committee reviewed updates from various subcommittees, including finance and policy, with no significant new developments reported. The policy committee is currently reviewing a draft AI policy, which will be discussed further in upcoming meetings.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational services while exploring new opportunities for collaboration with neighboring communities. The committee plans to reconvene in June to further discuss the potential partnership with Acushnet and other ongoing initiatives.