[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6091880,"mediaKeyId","2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2","parentId",2857838,"title","Committee opens discussion on athletics fees, freshman sports as budget pressures mount","audioSeconds",6733,"startMs",1829000,"endMs",8562000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2&start=1829&end=8562","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2/thumbnail_1829000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091880/Massachusetts/Committee-opens-discussion-on-athletics-fees-freshman-sports-as-budget-pressures-mount","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091880-fae760cb4f5d96b424814a78f3703b66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983140&Signature=bpScDBvo0dYQCfatjITfHLEcHbxj~6UJhhnJeJRgoKhZSxEG~Lu96kxHEJR9ABoGYJ4E4Bj71KzVfFfxrWBk8hKGOUCADjKy0AnrSL1DLoYCAchkQNFAZkfpXT0P6WeqsX1BDirCr6VHi1zTp0ROkrFICDxUDagChFAsJonEBFLPxp81ntdtoYToJMtwc-vT1MtMkf70hep0SW-nLIcxqh0nAmhWsECWzZUMXdkH~eTy38qTB1B7k6Ed8d6EE1fc7cG0Q7SVOmYrmYTx1tLOBRuVAMlrm8Ld4PfbgorQ8vwicjln-j5S86pTaEeEJORKkXG7vk4hJE4zssrzGm2yUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Duxbury Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-03T05:17:05.76Z","article","Members of the Duxbury School Committee and administrators used the April 2 meeting to begin a districtwide conversation about athletics fees, freshman sports and booster support in the face of FY26 budget reductions.

A public commenter in the meeting’s public comment period urged the committee to “seriously consider the elimination of freshmen sports” to protect academic positions; the citizen speaker said athletics serve a smaller portion of students than academic staff and proposed prioritizing teacher retention.

Committee members and the athletic director discussed several options administrators can research, including differential user fees by sport, varying fees for sports with high facility costs (for example ice hockey) and coordinating more closely with boosters about capital and operating support. Administrators said many boosters are independent nonprofit entities that fund team equipment and activities; the committee asked the athletic advisory and finance staff to prepare a financial snapshot of boosters’ contributions and the athletic program’s revenue and costs for a future meeting.

Why it matters: freshmen and lower‑level teams often provide the entry point for students who might otherwise not be able to play; several committee members described freshman teams as valuable for inclusion and student engagement. At the same time, the athletics budget has fixed costs and program choices have equity and community consequences when user fees or program eliminations are considered.

Operational notes: the athletic program includes high‑cost sports such as ice hockey and football; committee members observed that boosters sometimes pay for higher costs (travel, special equipment) and that charge structures vary across districts. Administrators will return with more detailed revenue/expense data and a review of coaching staffing ratios and supervisory needs related to child‑safety compliance.

Ending: The committee did not make decisions at the meeting but asked the administration and athletic advisory to bring a financial report and options for fees or program adjustments to an upcoming meeting so members can weigh tradeoffs against educational priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Duxbury Public Schools: School Committee Meeting - April 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members and administrators discussed the financial pressures on co‑curricular programs, the role of boosters and how fees or program consolidation might be used to limit cuts; a public commenter had urged eliminating freshman sports to save money.","taxTitle","Duxbury Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71518,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6091883,"School Committee extends Chartwells food‑service contract for remaining three years",0,8530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2&start=8530&end=8530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2/thumbnail_8530000.jpg","/articles/6091883/Massachusetts/School-Committee-extends-Chartwells-foodservice-contract-for-remaining-three-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091883-651078bea2540c1b52e1138ab5dd4578/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983140&Signature=Mz83sFohji3VjILcuEudVGyg5SQ2eyUchnNzQehfXf5KvIbHAhulpCgdQIv2~ifXXnYVY7YGvKHMbFRYvzWn9VEgKoZGkHY0A4EiDsBQBy0nym9gbLhxtCw3PrzC~ITXkVBWFhIY2PuYhZt4t2GLtZYzIlId45zhPhrqZ4HNO77cCsoZLjMeI0MNQq1QLpT2l8G8rFEJ5T-tXLVy4Emenil~Asdma1-CloUgsnNPaXcLr-CENxZ233xmYVPk5X-~r7wIJ0LyOX8qQxEh95L3MoeSIuQnDNQuhoIc8JKxePKjXUdXbhniDAmz4UgEvGwZW2Bs6V0TGk0xl4LBzCSiIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duxbury School Committee voted April 2 to extend the district’s food‑service contract with Chartwells for the remaining three years of the vendor’s award under the district’s RFP structure.

The administration recommended the extension after reviewing the vendor’s performance and a presentation earlier in the week. Committee members cited improved student engagement, new menu testing events and service changes as reasons to continue the contract. The agreement uses annual CPI‑based increases consistent with the RFP and includes pricing scenarios that assume continued state reimbursement for school meals; administrators said the RFP solicited proposals for both the state‑reimbursed and non‑reimbursed futures when the state policy was uncertain.

Why it matters: the district’s food service is financed in part by user fees, federal/state reimbursement and the contractor’s operating model. The committee’s decision allows the current vendor to continue supplying breakfasts, lunches and associated food service operations without interruption.

Vote: A motion to extend the contract was moved and seconded and the committee recorded approval by voice vote; the meeting transcript recorded committee members answering “Aye.”","The committee voted to exercise the remaining extension years in the district’s food‑service contract with Chartwells, citing vendor improvements and a state reimbursement structure that supported the decision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6091888,"Special education leaders report inclusion levels, CPAC urges outreach as families report anxiety",332,10396000,10728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2&start=10396&end=10728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2/thumbnail_10396000.jpg","/articles/6091888/Massachusetts/Special-education-leaders-report-inclusion-levels-CPAC-urges-outreach-as-families-report-anxiety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091888-babcc91d7bba664240103ad9b53d7430/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983140&Signature=bHXqpvf3vscb~-h8FaHw6DyRhkHhZqLykH89~~qlk7pW8~s3Lz~HjY9EK-L8xk1knyqX3mrN-AOUfcSSD96ff83RHJ0QPqagy21ALMphr6a5HPlmOFo4NZ3ZAc2DrfrObh43yz0A2dO3XmafeU~tbGS7XLf-fKn-lkl7d3gsuQqDRoOmzNvNOX6cThbuq20r-DzLWdztTdJGDunsjZ3~~vRveiACxHkShRY6UwATpmj3bjuFbY4fQCi~ut6wraJ5QtOR5YifDB4JWCDGZchK6ovOpbBQCdfM8VLgHVmQfIupaQtm29eFKSdnHT-yGodd4ofeEe02ehGhSnWqNbwHvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Duxbury special education officials and the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) briefed the School Committee on April 2 about program structures, current identification trends and supports for students with disabilities.

Director of Special Education Theresa Skinner presented an overview of in‑district programs — including partnership (therapeutic) classrooms, language‑based programs with Orton‑Gillingham instruction, transition programs for students with significant needs and the post‑secondary transition program for 18–22 year‑olds — and the district’s emphasis on inclusion. Skinner described inclusion as the default setting when appropriate and said roughly 87.5% of students with IEPs receive services in inclusive settings; about 6.4% of students with IEPs were in out‑of‑district placements in the October snapshot cited to the committee.

The presentation included MCAS snapshots showing a mix of meeting and partially meeting outcomes for students with disabilities across grades; district staff noted student growth percentiles as an important complement to single‑year proficiency percentages.

CPAC co‑chair Kate Reynolds said parents and caregivers are “afraid” and asked the committee to maintain lines of communication and to resist rhetoric that stigmatizes students with disabilities. CPAC asked for more systematic data reporting to the committee and wider outreach so families know where to go with questions. Reynolds urged the committee and administration to protect services and public education and offered CPAC as a partner in improving communications and problem‑solving.

Why it matters: special education programs and inclusion practices determine services for students who require individualized instruction and supports. Several committee members requested more frequent, visual data on outcomes and trends so governance decisions are informed by clear metrics.

Operational details and staffing: Skinner described central office monitoring of out‑of‑district placements, a part‑time coordinator who is documenting visits and program oversight, and a continuing emphasis on professional development for co‑teaching and executive‑function supports for students. The district also noted recent investments in curriculum tools and training (for example, i‑Ready and consultant support from Landmark School for high school literacy and middle school implementation).

Next steps: CPAC and district staff said they will continue monthly liaison meetings and that CPAC will return with a more comprehensive report and recommendations. Committee members asked for additional periodic briefings showing longitudinal outcome data, discipline rates, graduation outcomes and transitions data to inform resource decisions.","District special education staff reviewed program structure, inclusive placements, MCAS outcome snapshots and new supports; CPAC asked the committee to keep communication channels open and offered continued partnership.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6091892,"Duxbury School Committee elects Kelly Bresnahan chair, Matt Gambino vice chair; Suzanne named secretary",375,2090000,2465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2&start=2090&end=2465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2/thumbnail_2090000.jpg","/articles/6091892/Massachusetts/Duxbury-School-Committee-elects-Kelly-Bresnahan-chair-Matt-Gambino-vice-chair-Suzanne-named-secretary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091892-9d8d99c419e22b2e3679ecea48534eb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983140&Signature=d6k4B-V~Cmpvq2Te5nff17vahk7meWu8-HgJFOOKNA3CNlfu5myhhyxqBzqfuSrZEVuZURUeB-x1ttelZWoIEjgKwwUI~zrLOvx4KgH3PTL2ZCe~~3bfAF2ZWpR~D7aljdaRhG~1cVbWSwaBh5qFPAw3APo5myCZ~HDd9o-pot9c-U~1govRjX-Fer-MVD9HIttom5Iizhv~nggFciPJmBfkckGe82dXTDtEgzUSW4aAnvcc8CzoTSCuIDfWD1SSNoHzPrQjfjxIcZNsb0Qihe05myDpMBx1nfoMkFJs7YvxQPLod6CeKq8Awo4~TMrJsmC0uBWQO~1ZljDb2yk7bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duxbury School Committee elected its leadership for the coming year at the April 2 meeting, using the committee’s customary poll voting process to select officers.

Kelly Bresnahan was nominated and elected chair after nominations from the floor and a roll‑call/poll vote. Committee members deliberated briefly and then voiced preferences aloud; the transcript records members saying names in turn until a majority coalesced.

Matt Gambino was nominated and elected vice chair by unanimous voice approval; committee members answered “aye” and the chair recorded the motion approved. Suzanne (recorded only by given name in the transcript) was nominated and approved as secretary; the vote was recorded as “Aye 5‑0.”

Why it matters: The chair presides over meetings and represents the committee publicly; the vice chair and secretary are the committee’s principal officers for procedural and recordkeeping work. Members said continuity of experience and knowledge of process were important as the committee begins a difficult budget and personnel season.","At its April meeting the committee elected leadership for the coming year by poll votes: Kelly Bresnahan as chair, Matt Gambino as vice chair and Suzanne (last name not specified in transcript) as secretary; vice chair and secretary votes were recorded as unanimous.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6091897,"Duxbury leaders outline $2 million-plus cuts, consolidate curriculum roles after override fails",572,3864000,4436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2&start=3864&end=4436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857838-9ff4a7d2d858765f434674882e701cf2/thumbnail_3864000.jpg","/articles/6091897/Massachusetts/Duxbury-leaders-outline-2-million-plus-cuts-consolidate-curriculum-roles-after-override-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091897-78a14105fcb8660eab1e8a1e8559bcdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983140&Signature=m1VI9FQzmufBKzstRp4pkWopBJ7gCGbA~MQxVDGD6z7TrmIAxcMjmgxALsIYzYiMsSO-wum6I1Q~aYgQhg8ngmklBS2cYIk7n-jjCUlAwkSd4XmxAR96rSQJ3s~-M~dusJWSuMksFfF5QeS7j4DkDIJuU4ZXWEkZHFL0VjFTPCn4GKb7I-Z8kHQCVWbpmDQzIQ35vrBPyXA1~MOxqAuJWpU8muhyaH7MMtFpc30bQtp6mKMdTMHmhpmxYw7bVoj90JfAhS-AfV0sPYrZQQ~dRKnp2scyiJgvBSEWtK3W75qCipFHEv7Yf2B5vkbG72z-7QmCQRwN2NnK4MVNJBmGBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Duxbury school administrators on April 2 told the School Committee they have identified more than $2 million in reductions after a funding override narrowly failed, and explained a reconfiguration that will shrink several administrative positions to meet the town’s level‑funded allocation.

Administrators said the package of changes combines retirements, reassignments and position consolidations to reach the required savings while minimizing instructional impact. The district will consolidate secondary curriculum supervisors from four positions to two (a humanities role and a STEM role), reduce elementary curriculum supervision to a single K–5 supervisor, reallocate the recently retired director of instructional technology duties and reduce one data/As‑ pen support role from full time to 0.6 FTE.

Why it matters: leaders said the town’s budget shortfall — reported in discussion as just over $2 million compared with a level‑services plan — requires difficult tradeoffs. Officials argued the chosen mix spreads impact across the district rather than eliminating a single program, but warned the consolidations will increase administrator caseloads and could reduce capacity for coaching, observations and day‑to‑day support to classroom teachers.

District leaders said the administrative changes plus a handful of retirements yield approximately $596,000 in savings toward the target; additional reductions and enrollment‑related consolidations are expected to make up the remainder. “These are not changes anyone wants to make,” a district administrator told the committee during the budget update. The presentation noted a separate $600,000 of operational efficiencies that had been included during the budget process.

What will change for teachers and students: At the secondary level the two new supervisors will each oversee two content areas (humanities: English/social studies; STEM: science/math). Officials acknowledged a STEM supervisor may not have equal depth in both subjects and said consultants and professional development will be used to support content needs. The district also plans to rework observation and evaluation schedules to spread the increased caseload among principals, assistant principals and the remaining curriculum supervisors.

Reading specialists and class sizes: Administrators said they are “fairly confident” recent retirements and additional small reductions will allow the district to retain three reading specialists across the two elementary schools, reversing reductions that had been proposed earlier in the budgeting process. At the same time, some elementary classes will grow; leaders noted projections showing multiple sections that could reach mid‑20s in size and said principals are examining enrollment to identify consolidation opportunities that keep most classes near target sizes.

Kindergarten tuition and the kindergarten revolving fund: The district recommended reinstating full‑day kindergarten tuition for 2025‑26 at $3,000 per student with a 50% sibling discount, and a $500 deposit at registration with full payment due by September. Administrators said the kindergarten revolving account will continue to cover a portion of employee benefits charged to positions paid from that fund; budget slides cited a projected $541,000 in tuition revenue under the proposal and described $450,000 as the projected offset to operating costs with roughly $91,000 applied to fringe/benefit charges. The committee did not set the rate at the meeting and was asked to vote on the tuition at a future meeting so families can be notified.

Next steps and risks: Officials urged the committee to begin planning FY27 and to schedule workshops over the summer to review budget tradeoffs, service priorities and fees. Several committee members asked for more detailed, visual data on special education outcomes, class sizes, and program costs to guide future decisions. Administrators warned that if revenue assumptions change or enrollment shifts unfavorably, deeper cuts will be required.

Community reaction and process: Multiple committee members and a parent‑adviser urged clearer, more frequent communication with the public and with state legislators about the funding gap and possible policy fixes at the state level. The administration said it will bring job descriptions, final savings tallies and an updated list of affected positions to the committee at upcoming meetings.

Ending: With the committee scheduled to set fees and finalize the post‑override budget in coming meetings, administrators said they will continue to pursue any additional efficiencies and to prioritize supports for reading and interventions for at‑risk students as the district refines the FY26 picture.","School leaders described a mix of retirements, administrative consolidations and targeted savings that together trim more than $2 million from the FY26 plan; officials said they expect to preserve three elementary reading specialists and will ask the committee to set full‑day kindergarten tuition next month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee opens discussion on athletics fees, freshman sports as budget pressures mount

School Committee extends Chartwells food‑service contract for remaining three years

Special education leaders report inclusion levels, CPAC urges outreach as families report anxiety

Duxbury School Committee elects Kelly Bresnahan chair, Matt Gambino vice chair; Suzanne named secretary

Duxbury leaders outline $2 million-plus cuts, consolidate curriculum roles after override fails