[{"_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",6259141,"mediaKeyId","3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668","parentId",3143202,"title","School committee approves 2025–26 program of studies; leaders highlight applied‑learning and new pathways","audioSeconds",565,"startMs",2094000,"endMs",2659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668&start=2094&end=2659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668/thumbnail_2094000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259141/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-202526-program-of-studies-leaders-highlight-appliedlearning-and-new-pathways","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259141-1df3004f5faefcfaecd59bc156370799/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936045&Signature=eWMY2V76M9R9NyLNOWlSl7rPFgyrhMe8PO69dDC~GERmIMJkCHYp99mXo2sYcsx9tjBjuXBK6oPbEW7XdvyvWpAnSnQDaKuobD9tsNe9nDrNvhgbYsEC5PjTHtsNP3hLmMPWLnIJ9jIp-Lur4U6JTMRuLc3o8Rq8MJJWpmstrWWCdkLdBh4bu~n3Vw0PqDf~m6V5uAn-nJZ5meAXjwqLkHtHTIqZWKKZk3YS23Mqh3N0jbvRwZa07TY3E9Vu97JtaxjRhrWT3S0Rdi1r9xI4i0Kf6bfK-psbmJTLm7NMGpT3f4sZr-a7Qeyl8XKJ4HRAr60934dpp8GNdyczAbqB6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of North Brookfield, MA","date","2025-04-29T07:34:55.213Z","article","The Town of North Brookfield School Committee approved the district’s program of studies for 2025–26 after administrators summarized proposed updates to graduation requirements and course offerings and teachers reported back from an applied‑learning site visit to Colorado.

What changed in the program of studies: administrators said the school committee would determine the graduation competency determination in light of the reduced role of MCAS for graduation. The committee approved a raise in the community‑service graduation requirement from 30 to 40 hours for grades 9–12 (10 hours per year). Summer‑school recoveries were limited to a maximum of two classes (principal discretion allowed). New elective offerings in math (statistics and quantitative reasoning), updated descriptions for forensics and brain‑and‑behavior science courses, and a new engineering and advanced‑manufacturing pathway were added to the catalog.

Applied learning and Project Lead The Way: staff who traveled to Denver and Boston described applied learning as project‑based, cross‑curricular work aligned with Universal Design for Learning and the district’s “open Sci” middle‑school science program. Teachers reported seeing student engagement rise where projects are meaningful and iterative; the district said it is applying for a second phase of grant support from the foundation that funded its first year of applied learning work.

Students and extracurriculars: the committee received a student representative report and heard about recent and upcoming student events including spirit week, class elections, field day, and the senior‑versus‑faculty basketball game. The student speaker, Nadine Grande, an eighth grader and student‑council officer, told the committee she felt the 6–12 building had become “my family” and expressed concern at the prospect of attending a larger district.

Vote and next steps: the motion to approve the 2025–26 program of studies was moved and seconded and the committee voted to adopt the document. Administrators said they will work on communication and course scheduling now that the changes are adopted, and that professional development tied to applied learning and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) will continue.

Context note: teachers and administrators asked the committee to consider course availability and student interest when scheduling new electives; several math and advanced courses were noted as semester or year‑long variations and will depend on enrollment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Brookfield School Committee Meeting April 28th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of North Brookfield School Committee voted to approve the district’s 2025–26 program of studies, adding new math electives, a 40‑hour community‑service requirement for grades 9–12, and engineering/advanced‑manufacturing pathway classes.","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},6259147,"Residents and committee members press for clarity as tuition-out talks surface",8635,181000,8816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668&start=181&end=8816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6259147/Massachusetts/Residents-and-committee-members-press-for-clarity-as-tuition-out-talks-surface","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259147-5faa832c445f15e52b6905040788bd73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936045&Signature=QJ6YCyXXxVBXiyDj6s3LiR6bxvGLQer5sxSvgeqxU-LBwYYACgd3-kXT6pDnemRsS-W2LGjnsLGnC4fOOvE7T4qR52bErSEIetFbYLQW4X3Gx3zzalRkbeGyIewcDL2mLQM5REK1X5vfkMs939MCkxItxj5yQZbPCCNybHXAaYUuaN-vC50g6ynXzK93rtQ6RuDZ2IFK~2BjCjK2vdVhO6Rw3HJWwzTXFx8sT95~h-B0QT6o7RsbEZp9aL~evohY4lUDrbL4ptt0oC73iQb9RLMgyImvZ5e2pRIWg54SyWMn~hljhoIoVWZPWXGXpL48ePaiEorsGoeiEVX6kS47Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Town of North Brookfield School Committee meeting focused heavily on reports that town leaders had discussed tuitioning some students to a neighboring district — proposals audience members described as sales pitches from an outside superintendent — and on requests for clear legal, programmatic and financial information before any action is taken.

Commenters urged caution and asked for public informational sessions and legal review. One resident warned a tuitioning agreement would remove local representation over secondary education because a tuitioning agreement — unlike a regionalization — typically does not create a joint school committee including the sending town. Speakers said the receiving district that has been discussed was Quaboag (referred variously in public remarks), and described meetings organized by the receiving district’s superintendent as “informational sessions” that they felt were presented as a sales pitch.

Why it matters: residents and school committee members said tuitioning out could shift local curriculum control, affect special‑education eligibility and funding, and change the town’s long‑term ability to offer grades 6–12 locally. Speakers also raised concerns about transportation, continuity of specialized programs, the ability to get students back into the district once they leave, and the impact on property values and town identity.

Key points from the public record and committee answers:
- No formal tuitioning agreement had been presented to or voted on by the school committee at the time of the meeting; committee members and staff said they had not yet received contract language or a final proposal. Several speakers stated they had only attended “informational” sessions and said those sessions were short notice.
- A resident who attended the session reported an illustrative per‑pupil tuition figure of $11,500 quoted by the visiting superintendent; speakers used the figure to estimate a back‑of‑envelope cost if a substantial number of students were moved. The committee and administrators cautioned that the number given in a sales presentation is not a contract and that many costs and state rules affect final accounting.
- Parents and educators raised special‑education concerns: speakers said federal and state special‑education placement rules, circuit‑breaker reimbursements and individualized education program (IEP) decision processes would still govern placements and that some placements and services cannot simply be “transferred” without team decisions and written agreement.
- Committee members and administrators agreed that, legally and procedurally, closing or changing how the district serves grades 7–12 would involve steps with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and would benefit from formal informational sessions for the town before any vote.

What residents asked the committee to do: compile legal guidance, publicly post any proposed contract language, hold one or more public informational sessions, and analyze transportation and special‑education implications before the school committee takes formal action.

The meeting record: no formal motion to tuition students out was presented or voted on at the meeting; committee members said the subject remains under information‑gathering and that any formal proposal would require additional documentation and possibly a town vote depending on the legal pathway pursued.","Public commenters and several committee members sought clarity after residents said officials and a neighboring superintendent discussed tuitioning North Brookfield students to a neighboring district; no formal tuition agreement was before the committee.",{"_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},6259152,"North Brookfield school leaders approve $377,105 in mid-budget cuts and table deeper staffing reductions",2715,4245000,6960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668&start=4245&end=6960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143202-e191f70b1f44655c53979839621a7668/thumbnail_4245000.jpg","/articles/6259152/Massachusetts/North-Brookfield-school-leaders-approve-377105-in-mid-budget-cuts-and-table-deeper-staffing-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259152-9bbf14aab3873957ee3db352a1940a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936045&Signature=a88UIEoTp93aWgo11kIFmL9W8sLVXnyjL3vvo3bUFAnz3fgBc~1kUv-SOM3jasvOiZg2XV9YLv28R387MH4OPhSUhfbb9YRsgyFztxtBc2UpEz9CEaBXkl7KJ~TlaKHYtyEjisB9VtoBrwxrI3c~W07ZhwNXusKU0f8tblYalzWVK1TsB3fYxMuh1bDIxRvIrh8vkdNAeD8ehxKT8unM0yKLHA0L6i9Q3f6niaD03MrSsb8HnddDcwdgoMhLTwsAPdLFohzUti~PpPBdP7VbqTHm3gwNlAaJUiRl-d0NhJ8SXPzxAq4~CpRQqgGQDGDmThWcsKVS55DScJrcf1XCGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of North Brookfield School Committee voted Tuesday to adopt an initial package of general budget reductions totaling $377,105.50 and tabled discussion of larger personnel cuts pending further guidance from the town finance committee and final Chapter 70 state aid numbers.

School leaders said the district faces a projected FY 2026 operating budget increase of about $995,717 from FY 2025 driven by salary and transportation cost growth. The superintendent told the committee the recommended FY 2026 budget is roughly $8.0 million and highlighted that salaries account for about 70% of that total.

Why it matters: committee members and administrators said deeper reductions — including eliminating elective arts, elementary library/media time, a full-time high‑school art/music position, a district instructional coach and proposed special‑education positions — would materially change programming, risk more students leaving the district and could increase long‑term out‑of‑district special‑education costs.

What the committee approved and why: the adopted reductions are a mix of non‑personnel and limited staffing adjustments the superintendent described as “workable in the near term” while the committee identifies a final target. The package includes savings from hiring at lower salary levels for certain new hires, a projected decrease in fuel/oil purchasing, reduced athletic transportation, elimination of one regular bus run (from three to two), and other operational trims. The superintendent emphasized that removing core instructional or special‑education supports risks moving students to more expensive out‑of‑district placements.

Numbers and clarifications drawn from committee presentations:
- Projected FY 2026 increase over FY 2025: about $995,717 (revised recommended budget ≈ $8,024,000).
- Out‑of‑district placement projections for FY 2026: about $1,800,000 (district remains responsible for those costs; circuit‑breaker reimbursement was discussed at roughly 75% for tuition but lower for transportation and subject to thresholds).
- The initial set of general budget reductions the committee approved totals $377,105.50.
- Eliminating one bus run was cited as a roughly $91,000 recurring savings but would lengthen some student bus rides; the superintendent noted the longer routes remain within legal limits.

Debate and next steps: members pressed for a concrete target number from the town finance committee; finance committee representatives told the board the town is operating with little or no surplus and that their starting point is to require the district to meet net school spending at a lower percentage of the town contribution (the finance committee said it had voted to ask for a reduction to the district’s net school spending percentage). School leaders said they will return with additional proposed reductions once they have a clear figure to reach and when final state aid (Chapter 70) numbers are known.

The superintendent warned that broad staff cuts could be “irreversible” in their effect on programs and student retention, and that, in his view, eliminating proposed special‑education positions could increase costs if more students must be placed out of district.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to amend and adopt the general budget reductions shown on the FY 2026 “general budget reductions” slide (includes staff realignment, lower new‑hire salary assumptions, fuel savings, athletic transportation reductions, and eliminating one bus run): motion moved and seconded; motion approved. The committee also voted to table consideration of the larger list of staffing eliminations and program cuts until a target number from the finance committee and final state aid figures are available.
- The committee recorded that the budget conversation will continue at scheduled meetings; administrators will return with updated scenarios once Chapter 70 final data and the finance committee’s target are available.

What the superintendent and committee asked the public to do: board members urged residents to contact state legislators about increased rural school aid and to monitor upcoming hearings because final state funding decisions will affect the district’s options.

Ending note: the committee framed the adopted package as an interim step to close a sizable budget gap while preserving core instruction and while seeking a clearer town target and state aid numbers. Longer‑term decisions about staffing and program reductions remain pending.","The Town of North Brookfield School Committee voted to adopt a package of general budget reductions totaling $377,105.50 and to table consideration of larger personnel cuts while the committee seeks a target number from the finance committee and final state aid figures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves 2025–26 program of studies; leaders highlight applied‑learning and new pathways

Residents and committee members press for clarity as tuition-out talks surface

North Brookfield school leaders approve $377,105 in mid-budget cuts and table deeper staffing reductions