The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee on Jan. 16 unanimously approved an updated sustainability policy, Policy ADG, that commits the district to decarbonize “by or before 2050,” the committee said during its second reading of the measure.

The policy, revised after public input and several policy-subcommittee meetings, was presented on its second read by committee members and moved for approval by Committee Member Tory and seconded by Committee Member Ginny; the measure passed with unanimous support on voice vote. The policy language was broadened to avoid prescriptive technology mandates and instead focus on decarbonization and sustainability goals.

The vote followed public comments from high school students and community groups. Student speakers from the district’s Resource Force urged swift adoption of the resolution; one student, Alex, told the committee that “it is super important that we do something now,” and encouraged the panel to pass the updated policy as soon as possible. Mothers Out Front and other community advocates also thanked the committee for changes made after public feedback.

Committee members said the subcommittee folded community input into the revisions, including removing specific technology mandates (for example, explicit mandatory electrification language) so the policy would remain flexible as technology and best practices evolve. During discussion, Committee Member Liz described the revised policy as the version that reflected the public’s requested changes. The motion passed; the committee noted appreciation to the Resource Force and other community partners for their work on the policy.

The committee did not attach a separate budgetary appropriation to the policy at the vote. Members and public commenters acknowledged that future operational or capital steps to implement the policy (such as equipment replacement or facility upgrades) would require separate budget approvals.

The committee’s adoption of Policy ADG concludes the policy subcommittee’s recent work revising the measure and moves the district toward a formal sustainability framework to be implemented through future administrative plans and budget decisions.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Policy ADG (Sustainability).
- Mover: Tory (School Committee member)
- Seconder: Ginny (School Committee member)
- Outcome: Approved (voice vote, unanimous as recorded in the meeting)
- Notes: Language revised to commit to decarbonize by or before 2050; specific technology mandates removed to preserve flexibility.

The committee indicated the policy will guide future operational and capital decisions, which will be discussed separately during budget and capital planning processes.