[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6314146,"mediaKeyId","2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa","parentId",2385254,"title","Votes at a glance: North Brookfield School Committee (selected actions)","audioSeconds",6614,"startMs",163000,"endMs",6777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa&start=163&end=6777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa/thumbnail_163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314146/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-North-Brookfield-School-Committee-selected-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314146-21aa3219e41983693a4155fcd5d98453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=Sy1KTKxDNl3ww3VCa6acBUSVhV-3fGebL7OB3ifgJrdil-DFRTk-55DM8i~zRVij1k5c83mB~7KEkhVpsPiPkAUBeASu3X4XgwH89aTSlq6Bnre0KLAZVUMXI2TwzdYLpagXFqqpvulU~1ljWSmkp3LU47PnA0EaKqYmCe0SQIo49M6b-31gCtUu9t-QDoVZyUJ9qjhXtDxFnh3rJX7hc~ng~n-DGt-hl89MX~tCgyk2JwCZV6BILw3F-puJwKAPhnrdV1P2hmeJrRMI4CQDy~aPEezl03T84sBdpv6fP-COoeCp291fddghEI76QJfrZAp1xPugZr1vF~RXPQaR4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of North Brookfield, MA","date","2025-02-25T02:52:43Z","article","The North Brookfield School Committee recorded the following formal actions during the meeting. Vote information reflects what was stated on the meeting record; where formal roll‑call counts were not recorded in the transcript the method is noted.

1) Approval of minutes
- Motion: Approve minutes from the previous meeting as presented.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote (recorded as “Aye”); transcript does not include a roll‑call.
- Provenance: public minutes approval item began with the agenda prompt for approval of minutes and passed during the meeting.

2) Transfers (two transfers approved)
- Motion: Transfer $1,003.15 from high-school electricity to high-school gas; and transfer $9,913.18 from paraprofessional special‑ed (elementary) to paraprofessional special‑ed (high school) (salary line).
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Provenance: finance/transfer discussion and motion were part of the financial reports section.

3) Surplus library books (elementary school)
- Motion: Authorize media specialist to dispose of 600+ weeded titles from the elementary library inventory (mold/damaged/unsalvageable) and accept incoming replacement books.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Provenance: media‑center report and motion to authorize disposal of weeded titles.

4) Sick‑bank family‑care exception
- Motion: Approve a one‑time use of the teachers’ sick leave bank (20 days) to support a staff member caring for an ill spouse; the arrangement requires a side letter outside the current contract language.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Provenance: proposal reviewed by the sick‑bank committee and presented to the School Committee for approval.

5) Transfers and budget movement (FY26)
- Motion: Forward the recommended FY26 budget to the town (administrators presented figures, including $8,227,837.31 as the amount to go to the town; another “with offsets” number of $9,763,911.89 was discussed by administrators).
- Outcome: Approved to forward to town for further review and revision; voice vote recorded as “Aye.”
- Provenance: budget presentation and motion to send the recommended budget to the town for review.

6) Virtual‑school enrollment cap
- Motion: Adopt a 1% cap on new district enrollments in state‑approved virtual schools (current virtual students grandfathered).
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote; meeting record includes two “Aye” statements and one “I vote no.” Detailed roll‑call not recorded.
- Provenance: new business item on Commonwealth virtual school enrollment.

7) Executive session
- Motion: Move into executive session and only reconvene to adjourn the regular meeting.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Provenance: meeting end-of-business item.

Notes on vote reporting: the meeting transcript contains multiple voice votes and did not consistently record formal roll‑call tallies for each vote. Where the transcript included named vocal responses (e.g., multiple “Aye” responses and one explicit “no”), those were recorded above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Brookfield School Committee Meeting February 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the committee approved minutes, two budget transfers, relocation of surplus library books, a sick‑bank exception for family care, the FY26 recommended budget to be sent to the town, a 1% cap on virtual‑school enrollments, and adjournment to executive session.","taxTitle","Town of North Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",54736,"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},6314151,"School committee approves 1% cap on virtual‑school enrollment to support re‑engagement efforts",67,7215000,7282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa&start=7215&end=7282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa/thumbnail_7215000.jpg","/articles/6314151/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-1-cap-on-virtualschool-enrollment-to-support-reengagement-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314151-a272ae46a0a78d66460350fa9e6691d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=iGK53HKAjAZ-HI5NxcVongPFvd-mEFUXWDXD-Hv1kde9zL~HGvd9-fwGboLS9CEyaktLXhy7iq3hZizi0NE-4KZ1-joIEU1mF4U7~bl9tUMvYUiKpec~y2d3x2NaB4eCNfkdfeV-1S2P9TlORovhoVVZt71X~G71e-AeWuuUNC4YpnVgHDvveRWYdj6iZCZIHfWfYTKDvpfmF1r8Suy2QDK~ev8smk0cBNTtiCChQIliQTs3KsOsALAwfgOWO~Bv3LEEOYOxWwbjcMTqyxsnKmoIj53o91kk6IfxHdrZu93Ahhzap4AypXEgpRbyjiflj3VJM3zadjVGMaIFc8ypsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Brookfield School Committee voted to adopt a district cap limiting enrollments in state‑approved virtual schools to 1% of the district’s student population in future years.

Administrators said the cap is intended to limit fiscal and educational consequences from students who enroll in virtual programs and then disengage. The district reported that current enrollments in virtual platforms total roughly 9 students, which the administration said represents about 2.27% of the student population; the cap would limit new enrollments so that, moving forward, no more than about four additional students could enroll under the 1% cap.

Why it matters: when a student leaves for a state‑approved virtual program the district generally transfers per‑pupil funds to that provider; administrators said virtual placements can cost roughly $9,000 per student compared with about $5,000 for in‑district costs in some cases. Officials also said the district has seen cases where students enrolled in virtual programs fail to attend and effectively drop from district rolls, making re‑engagement difficult.

Grandfathering: administrators told the committee current students enrolled in virtual programs will be unaffected — they can continue through their course selection or until they return — while the cap governs new enrollments.

Vote and debate: the committee approved the 1% cap by voice vote; the meeting record notes two members vocalized “Aye” and one member said “I vote no.” Administrators said the limit will be reconsidered as needed or when district circumstances change.

Next steps: the district will file the required notice or report to the state and implement the local cap for enrollment management going into next school year.","The committee voted to cap district students enrolled in state‑approved virtual schools at 1% of total enrollment going forward; administrators cited concerns about student re‑engagement and district funding impacts.",{"_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},6314155,"Public commenters press committee for follow‑up after neighboring district rejected regionalization vote",432,749000,1181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa&start=749&end=1181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa/thumbnail_749000.jpg","/articles/6314155/Massachusetts/Public-commenters-press-committee-for-followup-after-neighboring-district-rejected-regionalization-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314155-c7bc8e3a8a00f533e8eba6da57d58acf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=LNGbqVdJRpwFwD61JjAMtsnjN7mmxjM9KEEoP4IPs8CzSV7BjBFeHjkP5MMpDDW7RmrubF-C-bKuWGUugb0mA0fBjFJNTyF8sN6iOOPKePStPTdBVY1GddOkZuKA00SEbuUo0aC7dDiU9VNzQBJBoxR9OFWGTYDfil-fS3qyeC~Pih5yMPVfzJRm0JdNr5Wv7Mt8T-dEygT-Gr7MpE~cKajTPQ5Axc72KAVe~1ZZ8nRAgRuH2-tL0GyxLxcwjE~bBneeyoZJ5j5ewCFMF7Mcvih-Vi5o10aTQSLyZxiToz03CpZ6oKJsmQR1oYJWj2ZRooyDsPUexhx0pTt0y7GVEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the public used the committee’s public‑comment period to ask whether the multi‑year regionalization study with a neighboring district would receive further follow‑up after the neighboring committee voted not to put the plan to its voters.

Resident Matt Grama (address given in public comment) questioned whether district leaders had followed up with Quabog after that committee’s vote, saying Quabog members had asked questions but did not appear to provide their constituents the opportunity to vote. Public comment speakers and several committee members said the neighboring committee’s vote effectively ended the likelihood of immediate regionalization and that any renewed effort would require new meetings and years of negotiation.

Why it matters: regionalization efforts affect student populations, budgets and long‑term district plans. Members of the public who spoke supported further discussion about regionalization given local budget pressures, but committee members said Quabog’s vote signaled a pause in progress and that re‑engagement would require additional outreach from their side.

Next steps: there was no vote or formal action; public comment will be part of the committee’s record. A committee member said the district’s recent program development (career pathways, in‑district special‑education capacity) is intended in part to improve local options for students if regionalization does not proceed.

Quote: “It would be nice to know why they wouldn't want to push it to their town and get the answers to those questions,” public commenter Matt Grama told the committee.

Ending: no formal committee action was taken during the meeting; public commenters urged renewed communication with the neighboring district and fuller public explanation of the study’s findings.","During public comment, residents urged the committee to revisit long-running regionalization studies with the neighboring Quabog/Quabbin district after that district declined to advance the proposal to a town vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314161,"After statewide change to MCAS, North Brookfield committee begins planning local alternative for diploma requirements",893,3773000,4666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa&start=3773&end=4666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","/articles/6314161/Massachusetts/After-statewide-change-to-MCAS-North-Brookfield-committee-begins-planning-local-alternative-for-diploma-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314161-9093969ef5be03e963d8c77a78cf3860/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=iVnUD5mc8E8LnLX8HXZGiAt79vQ0C0-2O35hKxc0NBhuNKYdV3gdDwnbcKrBksIpI8KYyvjTMIze6coJOwILzQYkiu1-2xW62smGnsdBZ6hsJtiS~uVkgauYY2W1EUnSEvHCIsf6ov5sVR6UNUkWEMsKC4Ey~eL4K4rsywvLsxDkAb7sDl57MVq8PLzRAy4epESxIazGUC-F2vj5iNJWrwFEJYrN95-1wapLJ~6Am--cM7EWzvclG8H6gnaTrUp65gUqbyNb7X~hj-6I5bXy17zjf1yFvA0gagGwpRkNmYNqqUkDoOq-KmLmWMF9AoHyaBj~yY3GnpxzieIHbqgMTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Brookfield School Committee discussed how the recent statewide change eliminating the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) as a mandatory competency determination will affect local graduation policy and students.

Superintendent’s memo: administrators told the committee they reviewed the current senior class and found no student who would be prevented from graduating because of the MCAS change. The superintendent said the law now requires each district to define alternate pathways to demonstrate mastery for students who, in future years, do not meet state testing benchmarks.

What the committee will do: the superintendent said the district will return to the committee with a formal proposal for fiscal year 2026 and beyond that lays out options to document student mastery if MCAS is not used as a graduation requirement. Possible approaches discussed included locally defined performance assessments, credit requirements, portfolios and other remediation or course options; the state has released webinars but has delegated many specifics to individual districts.

Why it matters: administrators emphasized that the committee must ensure students meet college and career expectations even if the graduation metric changes. The committee noted that credit requirements remain in place: students must meet course and credit thresholds to receive a diploma, and districts retain policies to require make‑up courses or other remediation when credits are insufficient.

Local context: the superintendent said North Brookfield’s current senior cohort is not affected by the change, but underclassmen may need alternative demonstrations of mastery in coming years. Committee members discussed the pros and cons of standardized testing as a uniform measure across districts versus local assessments tailored to district curricula.

Next steps: the superintendent, counselor and teaching staff will return with multiple scenarios for the committee to consider and vote on policies for FY26 and beyond.

Quote: “This is not a proposal tonight — it’s an informational conversation about how we make sure students are demonstrating mastery going forward,” an administrator said.

Ending: committee members were informed that the state’s change requires local policy work; staff will propose options at a future meeting for committee approval.","Following the statewide ballot change that removed MCAS as a mandatory competency determination for graduation, the North Brookfield School Committee reviewed the impact on the class of 2025 and began drafting district-level policies for future graduating classes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314162,"School committee forwards recommended FY26 budget, highlights special-education costs and new programs",643,2537000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa&start=2537&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385254-9fc082446805436f166ea026fa5bfdfa/thumbnail_2537000.jpg","/articles/6314162/Massachusetts/School-committee-forwards-recommended-FY26-budget-highlights-special-education-costs-and-new-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314162-c51ae1d3f8463bf14621cd52f741d3c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=YiCTZrio3WY1w8AfUXAA-RUIB3YASbweh-JsAohDAV1t-M1mvb6w4NR-y4KZ45PKAVwBFNWRv~oHqTbbvV~NTxulMpBv7gR39Ulgk9MUz09p1dvuFT~ACA7ZCI3pLIWNlJIZlspFow68EqbNMc5MRjRWbIX1kiLb0MK7KBdR-aUOGEcDAFLhUTskyZIJiwO6uox1-9lNZlUWPK0nf-7o3-9YfOyA2sa4oq9OgxVNE0SDpIxFLzsx7eXe7raYDmzIrKl6W3I1M6LQiq95W05t120dp6ieb0~8riZo51yBZbg0j1Bv1DJy8o5fN3a5qlXzNpP46wWCjE-GX6Mh48yk4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Brookfield School Committee voted Wednesday to forward a recommended fiscal year 2026 budget to the town, with committee members and administrators highlighting rising salaries, transportation and out‑of‑district special‑education placements as the primary cost drivers.

The committee’s recommended operating budget to be included in the town warrant was described during the meeting as $8,227,837.31; administrators also presented a larger “recommended” figure with offsets of $9,763,911.89 and told the committee the numbers remain subject to change as negotiations and state budget decisions continue. The recommended figure that will go to the town is the $8,227,837.31 amount, the superintendent said.

Why it matters: district leaders said the budget increase largely reflects negotiated and projected salary costs, an 11% rise in transportation costs, and the continuing expense of special‑education placements outside the district. Administrators and committee members emphasized that keeping more students in‑district by expanding specialized programs could reduce future out‑of‑district tuition and transportation costs.

Administrators described two staffing additions included in the budget recommendation: a second sub‑separate (special‑education) teacher position and a full‑time ABA‑trained aide (applied behavior analysis support) for a planned elementary special‑education classroom (K–5). Officials said the positions are meant to serve students the district already expects will need intensive supports; the estimated cost for those two positions is about $100,000 (salary and associated aide costs), and the overall proposed salary increase in the recommended budget was presented as roughly $358,000.

Superintendent’s report and grants: the superintendent told the committee the district has received several grants tied to its “innovative career pathways” work. The district previously received a $15,000 startup grant for the pathways work and an additional $35,000 to purchase durable hardware for an advanced manufacturing pathway; administrators said they expect notification from the state in March about a larger Part B application. The committee heard that the high school will launch an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Pathways program intended to begin with ninth‑grade students and to offer hands‑on manufacturing experience distinct from regional offerings such as Bay Path.

Special‑education costs: the committee reviewed current out‑of‑district placements and their budgetary impact. Administrators reported the district currently has 15 students placed either with collaboratives, private day or residential programs; the total cost for those placements this year was presented as $1,797,939.30. The superintendent noted a projected decrease of roughly $50,151.60 from this year to next (a 2.78% decrease), but stressed the overall out‑of‑district expense remains a significant portion of the budget.

Committee direction and next steps: committee members approved a motion to forward the recommended budget to town officials and committees for review and further public discussion. Administrators said the number will be revisited as collective bargaining, state funding and other offsets are finalized; the committee will likely vote again on a final budget before the town’s annual meeting.

Quotes: “For 15 students, almost $1.8 million — this is a big part of the budget,” a committee member said during discussion. The superintendent added that expanding in‑district programs could reduce long‑term costs and provide local continuity of services.

Context and community impact: committee members and staff emphasized that transportation, negotiated salary increases and specialized placements are the largest pressures on the budget. They said investment in in‑district special‑education capacity and career pathways is intended both to meet student needs and to reduce expensive out‑of‑district placements.

Administrative scheduling: committee members voted to move the recommended budget forward to the town; administrators noted the figure is subject to revision and will be discussed further with the town finance committee and select board before a final number is set.","The North Brookfield School Committee voted to send a recommended FY26 budget to the town, citing salary and special-education placements as major drivers and describing plans for new in‑district special-education capacity and an advanced manufacturing pathway supported by grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: North Brookfield School Committee (selected actions)

School committee approves 1% cap on virtual‑school enrollment to support re‑engagement efforts

Public commenters press committee for follow‑up after neighboring district rejected regionalization vote

After statewide change to MCAS, North Brookfield committee begins planning local alternative for diploma requirements

School committee forwards recommended FY26 budget, highlights special-education costs and new programs