[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6392843,"mediaKeyId","2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4","parentId",2108895,"title","Dennis‑Yarmouth adopts policy on graduation competency determination; effective Jan. 14, 2025","audioSeconds",738,"startMs",5998000,"endMs",6736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4&start=5998&end=6736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4/thumbnail_5998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392843/Massachusetts/DennisYarmouth-adopts-policy-on-graduation-competency-determination-effective-Jan-14-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392843-ba77f52bff0f08275ea5f97005a7a00f/orig.mp4?Expires=1772866960&Signature=OFjMRk0Ip9BoiUP3RAhxX1FnW0MZywQzpgV2dbYCCYumw7xj~nHgdpYFGKvvDjmb1qHS4xVQOhTTjARkiEOvTuNpbrjo77uDjJMZOWMrAziJxwiKvQi6hrruO3y~WaTJICSvtJDnD~uMUdLtoLL8KxT6DqZ~FhE6cvvgh0xIe6KAvIKiOdGfC3lJ4z6O8xbOgog7VQoZMrDaqvxmN68qWmLp~3BdBuaNzLZu9jbFP8urlliwT7eQvyxv1PwR-xhl~mTnc6Lz1mRXCkZTwRTLladis2HxlG5eXJTaBCeIwXFMFlm0QiSTkDWRmv~5jzePf2rUbHxo7pmOPm8p-birIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, MA","date","2025-01-13T22:31:27Z","article","The Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee voted on Jan. 13 to adopt policy IKF, \"Graduation Requirements and Competency Determination,\" and set the policy to take effect Jan. 14, 2025. The committee waived the usual second reading because the policy responds to an immediate need identified for students in the Class of 2025.

Superintendent Mark Smith told the committee the policy was drafted after review of state guidance and webinars and consultations with the high school leadership team. He said the policy is intended to implement the changes required by Ballot Question 2, which removed the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as the sole determiner of competency and directed districts to establish locally certified pathways based on the standards assessed by the 2023 MCAS.

Under the adopted policy, competency determination for the class cohorts addressed in the document will be based on district‑certified coursework that aligns to the 2023 MCAS frameworks. Smith said the policy maps competency pathways to coursework that mirrors the 10th‑grade assessments used in 2023: English 9 and 10 (for ELA standards), Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent integrated/honors courses) for math, and a science course such as biology, chemistry or physics.

Smith emphasized the policy is intended to offer options for students who did not earn competency through MCAS before Dec. 1, 2024; options can include summer school, credit recovery or additional coursework aligned to the relevant curriculum frameworks. He said legal counsel reviewed the policy language before the committee vote.

Committee members asked how the policy would affect students who had taken retakes administered before Dec. 1 and how principals could apply flexibility for students transferring into the district. Smith said tests administered before Dec. 1 could be considered for competency if the administration date met the statutory timeline and that principals retain discretion to waive certain local graduation requirements, though the competency determination itself must meet the policy's standards.

Committee member Marilyn (last name not specified) proposed clarifying language and requested the effective date be explicit so families and students — particularly those with limited English proficiency — could be notified promptly. The committee set the effective date to Jan. 14, 2025 and instructed the superintendent to communicate the policy and the options to affected students and families in appropriate languages.

The committee adopted IKF by roll call; the transcript records committee members voting \"aye\" and the chair announcing that the policy passes and will take effect the following day, Jan. 14, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DYRSD School Committee Meeting 1/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The school committee voted Jan. 13 to adopt policy IKF (Graduation Requirements and Competency Determination) and waived a second reading so the policy would take effect Jan. 14. The policy establishes district pathways for students to demonstrate competency following changes enacted by Ballot Question 2.","taxTitle","Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71622,"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},6392848,"Dennis‑Yarmouth school committee approves tentative FY2026 budget, sets 4.89% operating increase",2864,3052000,5916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4&start=3052&end=5916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4/thumbnail_3052000.jpg","/articles/6392848/Massachusetts/DennisYarmouth-school-committee-approves-tentative-FY2026-budget-sets-489-operating-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392848-f89bf284ec8df6b0cabc869772db4ef5/orig.mp4?Expires=1772866960&Signature=GX~Tj~IK3YcPxyKyfuAdE5wYBBiU2JvRQXG3kmia2Jrgiz7RFkyExQl-DzHQIEXWhkOaoUY7yI~Ph2wM5PczGll48NwxK-k6tRtj8MZanQFD0o69lENjMSGwzF5DYNV~BjVMVBnnwJS3fh6WJ83xBEddsFqnPtfN2pzJ1HZ8Esys9H~pegiYFLnUE1I11n3bRoEHhWp4z-INFgsRiJ1O6kF2LLhGDTEXIMKCu~rqh9p1hxuDiFMoybhaXgdXBV-CnGPtZP-G4m4gN9RwJIw0e1evNkxiHuFbNCuLqBALUTxD4ZTox-ZMQBpGwcNWDCmQBxU8UQjr1euCCuHVgCQ1rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee voted on Jan. 13 to adopt a tentative Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the district, the committee confirmed by roll call after discussion of enrollment, staffing and rising special‑education and transportation costs.

Superintendent Mark Smith (title in transcript: doctor Smith) told the committee the tentative operating budget represents a 4.89% increase over the prior year and that the board must approve a tentative number at this meeting. \"The large task that the committee has for today is ... to vote the tentative budget,\" he said during a slide presentation on district enrollment, staffing trends and cost drivers.

Smith said pupil enrollment is up compared with the recent post‑pandemic years; he reported the district's most recent check indicated roughly 3,184 students. He also noted that high‑needs students — including English learners and economically disadvantaged students — have grown as a share of enrollment and that out‑of‑district tuition and transportation costs have risen substantially in recent years, taking a larger share of the district budget.

On assessment shares under the regional agreement, Smith said Yarmouth's foundation enrollment share had shifted slightly toward Yarmouth and away from Dennis (figures described in presentation). He added that a major missing factor for final assessments is state revenue in the form of Chapter 70 aid and other state reimbursements; the superintendent said those figures typically arrive with the governor's budget late in January.

After discussion and questions from committee members about relative wealth calculations, staff levels, special‑education expense growth and recruitment pressures, the committee took a roll‑call vote. Committee members read their votes aloud and the chair announced the motion carried. The motion to adopt the tentative FY2026 budget was presented on the record; the transcript records committee members saying \"aye\" and the chair confirming the motion carried.

The committee's adoption is for a tentative budget; Smith and staff said the number will be updated when state aid numbers, retirements, and other savings and obligations are finalized before the district's public budget hearing in February.

No dollar amounts for the final town assessments appeared in the committee’s motion text on the record (the motion language in the transcript included garbled numeric text). The superintendent and committee repeatedly stressed that state aid from Chapter 70, the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) implementation and other state calculations will change final assessments to Dennis and Yarmouth.

The committee will hold additional budget discussions and a public hearing after the state releases the governor's budget and Chapter 70 figures later in January.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: \"I move that the school committee adopt a tentative FY 2026 budget...\" (motion text as stated in the meeting transcript; numeric wording in the recorded motion was garbled in the transcript record). Mover: committee member identified in the record as \"Jenny\" (last name not specified). Second: committee member identified as \"(second not specified in transcript excerpt).\" Outcome: approved (roll‑call; motion carried).","The Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee on Jan. 13 voted to adopt a tentative FY2026 budget that the superintendent described as a 4.89% operating increase; final assessments will depend on state Chapter 70 figures expected later this month.",{"_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},6392852,"Dennis-Yarmouth honors community partners who hired students from Pathways to Independence program",1103,1153000,2256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4&start=1153&end=2256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108895-2264a7e4ebae8381229cff526e6116f4/thumbnail_1153000.jpg","/articles/6392852/Massachusetts/Dennis-Yarmouth-honors-community-partners-who-hired-students-from-Pathways-to-Independence-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392852-8d97c9f08ffadc234fc509662bfc4a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1772866960&Signature=SEWMkofyEX9ZvvspFkqW9a57XXJ9Ti5qwk8EOBPY9oQxZHlAW0ClaQWh3PcuyGSDz9Lx5HFk10Ts8eH9q-27FVx9TzZ7zEx49AsZS259CBreGEpQ7Z4oIcZBJaLK-5lqLytxcMdnIHW6rn6AsMu-UEqn-0L8336Ap3vo8M8WPCXTLWt~bYduZi0c2gKcdHKPY~JlkbKOBJS0qTJ3LvgwIC0DKqrS2cTUtqREsZynADbR3kt2fRxEV2~qKNVnnis8gigC30dGc-McFLWh~kSU~H4peQJuNmkvA3lRJKZeV868vsSDK2Yoehyet3gzVEkX6Iqu0MUdWSZwCAQvniA2jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melissa O'Reilly, special education team chair at the Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School District, presented community partnership awards on Jan. 13 to local businesses and first‑responder organizations that host and train students in the district's Pathways to Independence transition program for students with disabilities ages 18–22.

The awards highlighted three principal partners: the Celtic Cottage (owners Margaret and Dave Dempsey, represented at the meeting by their daughter, Amy Dempsey), the Crazy Rooster (owners Teddy and Vanya), and the Yarmouth Fire Department. The committee also recognized other community partners and educators who have hosted students for job shadowing and hands‑on training.

The Pathways to Independence program places students in community settings to build vocational, social and life skills, O'Reilly told the committee. \"A partnership includes providing our students with community settings to observe, train, and job coach,\" O'Reilly said. She added that partners also provide materials and accept mistakes that help students learn.

Mary Capo Bianco, lead teacher in the Pathways program, described the Celtic Cottage's role: \"Margaret's patience, kindness, and support to our students had made them develop skills in the retail industry,\" she said, listing duties students have performed there, including stocking, assisting customers and managing the cash register. Capo Bianco noted Celtic Cottage has hosted students for three years.

At the Crazy Rooster, staff supplied practice items (coffee pots, cups, trays) for in‑school practice and allowed students to gain experience in serving, bussing and hosting. Capo Bianco announced that, after roughly two-and-a-half years of work experience, four program participants were hired into paid positions at the Crazy Rooster: Dakota Souza, Kira Stewart, Jasmine Cruz and Nayeli Rosario.

O'Reilly and Capo Bianco also praised the Yarmouth Fire Department for volunteering time and for developing age‑and‑ability‑appropriate safety training. Capo Bianco said firefighters taught students basic first aid, fire extinguisher use, how to call 911 and how to use an EpiPen; she said those experiences reduced fear and improved student responses during a recent school evacuation.

Committee members and student representatives spoke in support of the program and the partners. Committee member Glenn (first name not specified) complimented the \"community team,\" and student representatives said the program and outreach make them proud of their district.

The presenters invited more local businesses and organizations to become partners and said they would display an emblem at participating establishments to signal support for the district's program.

A slideshow of students working in partner sites and a group photo of students, staff and award recipients closed the presentation.

The recognition was presented as an informational item; no formal committee action or vote was recorded on the awards themselves.","At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee recognized local businesses and first‑responder partners — including the Crazy Rooster and Celtic Cottage — for providing vocational training and paid jobs to students in its Pathways to Independence transition program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dennis‑Yarmouth adopts policy on graduation competency determination; effective Jan. 14, 2025

Dennis‑Yarmouth school committee approves tentative FY2026 budget, sets 4.89% operating increase

Dennis-Yarmouth honors community partners who hired students from Pathways to Independence program