The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee on April 9 reorganized its leadership following recent elections and approved a slate of subcommittee assignments and budget items in a meeting that included several roll-call votes.

The committee elected Jen Blum as chair and named Steve Sylvia vice chair, Courtney Brightman secretary, Crystal Ng treasurer and Timothy Emery district clerk. The committee also approved a slate of subcommittee assignments and several routine business items, including minutes, payroll warrants and an accepted donation from the local VFW chapter.

Why it matters: The reorganization establishes the committee’s leadership and membership on standing committees as the district prepares for budget season, negotiations and summer projects. The committee’s budget vote also sets the paperwork the towns will receive ahead of town meetings.

Election and officers: The committee nominated and voted by roll call to elect Jen Blum as chair. The committee then voted by roll call to appoint Steve Sylvia as vice chair, Courtney Brightman as secretary, Crystal Ng as treasurer and Timothy Emery as district clerk. The clerk/administrative staff called roll for each election.

Subcommittees and appointments: The committee confirmed membership for warrant signing, policy, collective bargaining, superintendent evaluation, regional finance, MASC conference delegates, wellness, capital and other subcommittees. The list read into the record and approved by motion included members from both Freetown and Lakeville; the committee approved the full slate in one omnibus motion.

Budget votes: Superintendent and finance staff presented a FY26 total budget figure and supporting materials. The committee took separate roll-call votes on the salary portion and the non-salary portion of the FY26 budget. Both parts were adopted by roll-call vote as recorded at the meeting; the committee discussed using the district’s excess and deficiency (E&D) account later this spring as an amendment if additional state or federal funds are available. Members emphasized continuing work to evaluate whether E&D or a future amendment should be used to relieve pressure on town assessments.

Other formal actions: The committee voted to accept the open-session minutes from March 26, approved payroll warrants for April 2, and accepted a donation of 23 books from the Freetown VFW for use by ARHS students. The committee also voted to approve and withhold release of executive-session minutes from March 26 until collective bargaining concludes.

What’s next: The committee asked the superintendent’s office to draft proposed language and dollar scenarios for an E&D amendment so members can consider changes at an upcoming meeting before budgets are finalized with the towns.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded on the public record):
- Motion: Move reorganization ahead of executive session — Outcome: Approved (roll call: Yes — Steve Sylvia, Crystal Ng, Courtney Brightman, Melinda Richards, Timothy Emery; No — Jen Blum, Bob Clark; Chair announced the motion carried).
- Motion: Elect Jen Blum chair — Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded as affirmative from voting members present; chair announced Jen Blum elected).
- Motion: Elect Steve Sylvia vice chair — Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded affirmative).
- Motion: Elect Courtney Brightman secretary — Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded affirmative).
- Motion: Elect Timothy Emery district clerk — Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded affirmative).
- Motion: Keep Crystal Ng as treasurer — Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded affirmative).
- Motion: Approve listed subcommittee memberships (omnibus) — Outcome: Approved (motion carried by roll call).
- Motion: Adopt FY26 salary portion as presented — Outcome: Approved by roll-call vote as recorded in meeting minutes.
- Motion: Adopt FY26 non-salary portion as presented — Outcome: Approved by roll-call vote as recorded in meeting minutes.
- Motion: Accept donation of 23 books from the Freetown VFW — Outcome: Approved (roll call).
- Motion: Approve payroll warrants for 04/02/2025 — Outcome: Approved (voice/roll call per record).
- Motion: Approve and withhold release of executive-session minutes (03/26/2025) until collective bargaining complete — Outcome: Approved (roll call).

Committee discussion and context: The budget discussion included public and member comments about the district’s limited Chapter 70 increases from the state, the impact of rising costs and the potential to use E&D as a temporary tool. Several members expressed concern about timing and asked staff to prepare amendment scenarios for a future meeting. Members also discussed the mechanical and logistical workload of moving officer responsibilities (signatures, transfers) when officers change.

Meeting context: The reorganization took place at the start of the public session after an executive-session motion had been made and withdrawn to allow the reorganization to occur first. The committee repeatedly used roll-call votes for officer elections and budget items. New members Melinda Richards and Timothy Emery were sworn in and participated in the reorganization votes.

Ending: Committee leadership and subcommittees are in place going into the spring; members directed the superintendent’s office to return with E&D amendment language and dollar scenarios at an upcoming meeting so the committee can consider options before town budgets are finalized.