Members of the Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School District Planning Committee brought several technical questions about a proposed restated regional agreement to the full school committee.

The planning committee asked whether the agreement must replace existing weighted‑voting language or could preserve it with a clarifying sentence. The planning committee reported receiving DESE feedback that the district may retain its current weighted‑voting language and add a sentence describing the current weights; the presenter read a suggested sentence noting that "as of 04/15/2025, each hand in member's vote is 12.5% and each program member's vote is 15%."

Committee members also asked why the proposed agreement specifies lease terms rather than incorporating them by reference. The presenter said DESE advised that Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71 Section 14C requires rental and lease fees and terms that affect assessments to be specified in a regional agreement.

The group discussed the statutory definition of capital costs: the presenter said the statutory rule defines capital as any item costing $5,000 or more with a useful life over one year and that the district cannot change that definition in the agreement, though it may set internal practices for how to handle smaller capital items in reporting.

Finally, members discussed the timing of when elected members’ terms begin. DESE conveyed that if the district deviates from the municipal default of immediate assumption of office, the practice should be made clear to candidates and voters; the presenter said the Secretary of State had been asked for written guidance and the committee is awaiting that memo.

Committee members also reported a recent joint selectboard meeting where capital cost voting mechanics were discussed: even if capital shares are allocated 80/20 in the agreement, both towns would vote on capital projects in their respective town meetings, which could effectively create a 50/50 decision between the two towns for some capital votes.

Committee members said they will continue discussions with DESE and the Secretary of State as the planning committee refines the regional agreement draft.