Neshoba Regional School District reviews school choice limits for 2025-2026 enrollment

The Nashoba Regional School District's School Committee convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss the opening of the school choice hearing for the 2025-2026 academic year. The meeting began with a unanimous vote to open the hearing, allowing for public input on the proposed school choice policy.

Superintendent Kirk provided a detailed presentation outlining the school choice process and its implications. He emphasized that school choice would automatically be open unless the district votes to close it by June 1 each year. The district has the authority to limit the number of students accepted and the specific locations where they will be assigned. If applications exceed available spots, a lottery system will be implemented.

Kirk highlighted the historical trends in school choice enrollment, noting a shift from a surplus of tuition revenue to a deficit as students aged out of the system. He reported that the total enrollment of school choice students for the previous year was 39, with additional seats opened later in the year.

The superintendent recommended that school choice not be opened for grades K-2 to maintain manageable class sizes. He proposed specific limits on the number of students per grade level across various schools, aiming to avoid the need for additional staffing. For instance, he suggested capping enrollment at 22 students per class for grades 3 and up, with specific recommendations for each school regarding the number of students that could be accepted.

The committee discussed the implications of these recommendations, particularly the need to balance class sizes while accommodating new students. The proposed limits included closing certain grades to school choice, such as kindergarten through second grade at several schools and grade nine at the high school.

The meeting concluded with a summary of the recommendations, which will be voted on in the coming weeks. The committee's decisions will significantly impact enrollment and resource allocation for the upcoming school year, reflecting the district's commitment to providing quality education while managing growth effectively.