[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534923,"mediaKeyId","3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a","parentId",3450947,"title","Votes at a glance: school committee approves steering committee, adopts financial‑assistance policy and completes routine appointments","audioSeconds",1031,"startMs",6697000,"endMs",7728000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a&start=6697&end=7728","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a/thumbnail_6697000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534923/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-school-committee-approves-steering-committee-adopts-financialassistance-policy-and-completes-routine-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534923-0d1711ec4d5dcceda937bc0657e7b246/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177767&Signature=ImdM~vIqA39N49RnxyHEdmvIiqNY6i-WdvA4qAxbwxwYXETT9h6E9IqQUPN~Tgk6uZAwfAKPNmau0CRiqXUj9X1GqCihc63p-PJIxRDUwRZCa8a8-bUgNif551izX1dmY4FpSaganpUxYwFIdatAnd9YHx230KyHwjBMYuNX~716sQ4eB8AqF45KSNHC5jpZbvqI4ahNZWRoE7e8rOfHy1Cl3ZFtrJmYufSJIP~voctd7L5nviXnEMDFuV2FwMzOTIelqY22DfQM85nnnOtmB7rxbCn-IlGcSvEQywEU-WjpHO88zSPtaq5at3qUEefrKgXBM2jzhrZKY49hJ133pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-05-22T13:35:35Z","article","The Acton‑Boxborough School Committee recorded several formal actions on May 22. Below are the motions, outcomes and key details as discussed and voted during the meeting.

Establish steering committee — approved
Motion: \"Establish the Strategic Planning and Reorganization Steering Committee and appoint the recommended members.\" Mover: Lila. Second: Vikram. Vote: unanimous. Notes: administration will post meeting materials on the district strategic‑planning page and conduct outreach to improve demographic representation.

Policy JQA — adopted (second read)
Motion: Approve policy JQA (financial assistance policy) as presented. Mover: Leila. Second: Tori. Vote: unanimous. Notes: Committee incorporated written feedback on scope and added explicit language linking athletic family caps to eligibility levels; administrators will make user‑friendly materials and an online application available.

Appointments — approved
- Secretary to the school committee: Julie La Lumiere — motioned by Leila, seconded by Ben; approved unanimously.
- ABRSD treasurer: Stephanie Krantz — motioned by Andrew, seconded by Vikram; approved unanimously.

Consent agenda — approved
Motion: Approve minutes of 05/08/2025 and warrants dated 5/22/25 as presented. Mover: Ben. Second: Leila. Vote: unanimous.

Elections and reorganization votes (chair and vice chairs)
The committee conducted its annual reorganization vote by roll call. Per the regional agreement, Acton members’ votes carry a 2.5 weight and Boxborough members a weight of 1. Tory was elected chair in the roll call with a weighted majority (Tory: 11.0; Adam: 9.5). Leila was elected Acton vice chair (weighted 20.5 yes); Adam Klein was elected Boxborough vice chair (unanimous for the nominated candidate). All officers’ terms start August 1.

Other: housekeeping
The committee also approved a large set of previously unapproved executive‑session minutes as part of routine housekeeping; administrators said they will work to keep minutes approvals timelier next year.

All actions above were recorded during the open meeting; where votes were taken, tallies are noted when available in the transcript. If members or the administration need corrections to recorded names or tallies, please notify the superintendent’s office before the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton-Boxborough School Committee Meeting - May 22nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 22 meeting the Acton‑Boxborough School Committee approved creation of the strategic‑planning steering committee, adopted policy JQA (financial assistance) on second read, appointed the committee secretary and treasurer, approved the consent agenda and completed its annual reorganization votes.","taxTitle","Town of Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",56888,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534927,"School committee establishes strategic‑planning and reorganization steering committee and posts kickoff meeting",3372,3334000,6706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a&start=3334&end=6706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a/thumbnail_3334000.jpg","/articles/6534927/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/School-committee-establishes-strategicplanning-and-reorganization-steering-committee-and-posts-kickoff-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534927-28e1e5883fe943f384cc20d4dd144c00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177767&Signature=baz2hbN2AcXHkrdii83lf9DQeqNR7P8RxIkJ7tLWkwtCkgtzrklRgd8GHybu3gUYLP7F2dMfef-P0joLjXky9Eq1XCUWwJZrA0Dm0IkzJJlSy4iIN306t4ceD4~3Pv5s9bFZgCOQUMXJmiC2fdj~Ew9-AsugWHAefCKRJPIYE39uhhGKLwukajQEaoVfosVmqc-RIqw6Kw5M~fSzgxfe7Ty8ZxTBiVJW~m7fdRaQRzaMOsedeRKCZozg6aM0wISWXK5ZJ6ak~wCW3OzRh3XgjBKi0Eoycj1cqtjXFQR6nCtdck5lRIMrq3XOE0HHFeCQqN8bFJ4bdN6uKzXxj3TCdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton‑Boxborough School Committee voted unanimously to establish a strategic‑planning and reorganization steering committee and to appoint the proposed membership, the committee said on Thursday.

Superintendent Peter Light said the district created a central hub on the website for strategic‑planning materials, published a timeline of events and steering‑committee meeting dates, and is working with District Management Group (a consulting firm) to conduct stakeholder interviews and lead the process. Light said the steering committee roster grew to about 18–19 people to reflect broad school representation and that the first open steering‑committee meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Light acknowledged that the roster is not fully representative of the district’s demographic diversity and described outreach plans to collect additional input, including small group stakeholder interviews and targeted invitations to multilingual and disability‑service families. He described a communication cadence that would include meeting summaries within 24–48 hours of each steering‑committee meeting and follow‑up staff Zoom calls and parent coffees to preview topics and field questions.

Committee member Adam Klein thanked the superintendent for a transparent approach and said the steering committee roster reflected strong community interest. Committee members voted to establish the steering committee after a motion by Lila and a second by Vikram; the motion passed without recorded opposition.

The steering committee’s first meeting will be posted publicly on the district website; the administration asked the public to monitor the district’s strategic‑planning page for meeting materials and the consultant’s interview outreach. The committee’s action was procedural; no reorganization decision was made at the meeting itself.","The School Committee voted unanimously to create and appoint members to a strategic‑planning and reorganization steering committee intended to guide district reorganization and the strategic‑plan process; the administration also outlined a public engagement and communication plan.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534930,"School committee reviews first read of high‑school handbook; proposed changes include phone‑free classrooms and open gradebook",188,2448000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a&start=2448&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6534930/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/School-committee-reviews-first-read-of-highschool-handbook-proposed-changes-include-phonefree-classrooms-and-open-gradebook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534930-acfaff507109fe1b7b11a6abe0a137dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177767&Signature=XPCBi1Yc67Bb9aDyzNiRndt8~HVkpRoX16E47ptEMpy51hOLTL-bw6e-Ldjq7Nzngb03o82tldmn0dHe1FjqbyZeHfz~rhenOKsO9QBk6cn4T0E~IZU316n2uuIi1USxfmse2XB~892MqNgs5qcOF5JyIOfuB3LOiLG-xbcT2TN5iiZNfuelkMpq58L~r893nL~dZBcrlOA9fWnoVOeqqALyHCUHi0ala6fOEdrYTa9wk2ofORrCwX4uPSv2lUM2iEOyVaDyvvxUBYJNBlc3httv-aGgNx7v7GdzjePnGV3RHDbgoxDUXcWqvaFjUUHY10Nn5FRNbjlLmB73Fm0WrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee received a first read on a comprehensive revision to the district’s student handbook, including language to open PowerSchool gradebooks to families year‑round, strengthen a high‑school cellphone policy for instructional periods, and update graduation requirement language now that the MCAS competency requirement has been removed.

Dean (title provided in materials), a high‑school administrator, said the proposed handbook shows deleted text in red and new text in blue in the draft materials. The administration proposes to open the gradebook at the beginning of the year so families and students can view PowerSchool throughout the year; the proposed text is on page 15 of the draft.

On cell phones, the proposal asks teachers to have students place phones in classroom “cubbies” — described as shoe‑rack‑style holders in many classrooms — during instructional time to reduce distraction. \"We want to ensure that the instructional time in classes is really phone free,\" the administrator said. The draft preserves student access to phones during lunch, free periods and common spaces, and allows phone use in emergencies.

Committee members raised questions about practical details: how cubbies are organized, whether mandatory placement increases theft or damage risk, and how a statewide ban (if adopted) would interact with local practice. Administrators said most high‑school rooms already have cubbies and that in other districts the approach has been implemented without widespread phone loss; they noted that full device‑locking systems (Yondr pouches) are expensive and would require additional staffing and infrastructure.

Other handbook changes include an additional arts elective for the class of 2029 and updates to competency determination language following changes to MCAS requirements. The administration said it reorganized the table of contents to remove redundancy and clarified clerical items throughout.

The handbook was presented for first read; the committee will accept written feedback (administrators asked to receive it by the following day) and will take a second vote at the next meeting. No policy was adopted at this session.","Administrators presented a first read of the student handbook. Key proposed changes include opening PowerSchool gradebooks for families for the full year, an expanded cellphone‑cubby practice to keep instructional time phone‑free, updates to graduation requirements and competency determination, and clerical reorganization of the handbook.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534933,"Elementary principals report steady rollout of MTSS and districtwide SEL; new 'Elevate' group at Miriam to amplify student voice",1050,1798000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a&start=1798&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a/thumbnail_1798000.jpg","/articles/6534933/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Elementary-principals-report-steady-rollout-of-MTSS-and-districtwide-SEL-new-Elevate-group-at-Miriam-to-amplify-student-voice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534933-209697f38ef2839fae459e2ef4d65728/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177767&Signature=dA2YvLyf8bEPIrt2Q~Lijl8HIrguumbASFlj1e6N0AL99boe~lMTQKLo9Kwfyw4Ia5NjlwNghEGGOHK5FoFAV-ff-8Z-ULcxx0nO3csjL7m6r2VvcVIDOb0ESSQlpHrL4o5lQ-fu4BFhptXBcsMEQ3W30MQIP6yBag-8~f~jLNdm5XYGPoaJS82QyJpQzl4Q6OmvLGAOc1fYmez4X-BnmMTeiTbuQX6h1ApuCS9CUipwtRY71Ae9ZUxyGjOrzbDAKmVdWv8X6SedXlkMmQ9eiQqwPcuiy7Ir9yHoZcfHMypOpGCrrBWYxuu4GUf~WvC8L0sZdY5V6EsqVck0ixSaFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Administrators from the district’s six elementary schools told the School Committee on Thursday that they continued to expand multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS) and to implement a districtwide social‑emotional learning curriculum, while also tailoring practices to school contexts.

Administrators described three recurring priorities: strengthening Tier‑1 instruction in literacy and math, broadening Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 interventions through data teams and coaching, and implementing Second Step, the districtwide SEL curriculum. Michael Votto, Allison Warren, Christina Gavin, Larry Walpe, Christy Nealon and Tricia Riley — principals from Blanchard, Gates, Miriam, Douglas, McCarthy‑Town and Conant — presented school‑level examples to the committee.

At Blanchard, the principal described Year‑2 implementation of EL Education language‑arts modules in grades 1–6 and the full rollout of Second Step, including the bullying‑prevention units. \"We are on track to fully implement the entire program in all seven grades,\" a principal said, citing anecdotal improvements in interpersonal behavior and classroom reflection.

Conant and Douglas highlighted new structures for professional learning and newcomer family onboarding. Conant implemented grade‑level professional learning communities during the school day so teachers and specialists can meet about individual students; Douglas reported a recognition system aligned to school values and a structured onboarding tour for families who enroll midyear.

McCarthy‑Town and Miriam described expanded use of SEL screeners (DECA) and restorative practices. Miriam reported forming an “Elevate” group, a volunteer committee of families and staff that worked with an equity coach to survey every student and begin amplifying student experiences to shape school values and next steps. \"We're gonna look at that together. We've surveyed every student, and we're gonna dream big for some next steps,\" the principal at Miriam said.

Principals said the district’s mental‑health staff and instructional coaches will be central to deepening Tier‑1 instruction next year. Several principals asked for more coaching time and more staff to expand Tier‑2 interventions, echoing public comments earlier in the meeting asking for restored assistant hours.

Committee members asked about the day‑to‑day demands of assessment and data collection, and principals described \"sweeps\" or focused assessment windows that bring principals, coaches and interventionists together to complete universal screenings efficiently. The presentation emphasized that much of the MTSS work happens in routine classroom formative assessments in addition to periodic district‑wide benchmarks.

No policy change or vote was taken on the principals’ update. The presentation will inform the district’s strategic planning and staffing discussions in the months ahead.","Principals from the district's six elementary schools told the school committee they expanded MTSS data teams, implemented the Second Step social‑emotional curriculum across grades K–6, and launched school‑level efforts — including an 'Elevate' family‑and‑staff group at Miriam focused on inclusion and student voice.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534936,"Teachers, union leaders urge school committee to restore reading and classroom assistants with new state funds",369,661000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a&start=661&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450947-b1f34a645bdf851b697778017b2fba2a/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6534936/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Teachers-union-leaders-urge-school-committee-to-restore-reading-and-classroom-assistants-with-new-state-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534936-8fdcbe8d6d150fd591852742a0d804f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177767&Signature=lKDpwIwjvsdcgUwbIFK5yaPDd1h7KkAhM4EuH1RrcNZrVrZ5op2G~7sLynIjTLAQV0ncZ0hyq0Spx9kX52vnBmEkoB6M-6dZ1xY5IEj9ywrWziuQN9C2zNKt-moZXvJuMMCaBN0mb18xqIXL7-NW1AuPxEPQwvBPInAsdHXUieVY68JKEVhXrjDXy-2EDzjQ-vlvEdxfAKz3WEnJachJI~uBG0S-HnpU6wfUp52lmnr7mMjI5tKS1ZGpaK2bUgAmYPkYCuDtrEHbnJR3ztRhh4bjyILARAW7wU6YeSzZh1wsKri8ied7BKGPDwMyzhSNaWFycVwmrGKIDww5Y0NCUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three Acton‑Boxborough educators and the president of the district’s teachers union urged the School Committee on Thursday to use newly signaled state revenue to restore reading-assistant and elementary classroom-assistant positions that were cut from next year’s budget.

Leah Lally, a kindergarten and grade‑1 teacher at Miriam, told the committee that the district’s recent staffing cuts have weakened the MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) model and reduced early‑intervention capacity. “Reading assistance and classroom assistance give you the most bang for your buck,” Lally said, adding that early intervention “reduces the number of students requiring long‑term special education services” and builds students’ confidence.

April Sears, a reading assistant at McCarthy‑Town, described the role as direct instruction rather than routine classroom help. “In my role as a reading assistant, I provide direct, targeted, systematic, explicit instruction,” Sears said. She said 4 eliminated reading‑assistant positions would deprive roughly 100 of the district’s neediest students of targeted intervention. “I think it would cost $80,000 or so to do so, which is a fraction of the total school budget,” she added.

Mike Balulescu, president of the district teachers’ union and an Acton resident, said the recent increases in state funding — including Chapter 70 (foundation) increases, additional circuit breaker reimbursement and regional transportation aid — reflected educators’ advocacy and should be used to restore staff. “Now that the state has done its part and made a good‑faith effort to respond to the needs of our students and our staff, it’s time for you to do your part and find a way to make these dollars count next year,” Balulescu said.

Superintendent Peter Light (title used in committee materials) told the committee the administration is preparing a budget amendment for the next meeting. The amendment, he said, would reduce the assessment to the two member towns to free up local town‑side dollars and use some state aid to add back staff; he said one component would use the first pocket of Chapter 70 money to “backfill” roughly $150,000 split along the assessment formula.

The public comments came during the meeting’s public participation period; no committee vote on restoring positions occurred that night. Committee materials and the superintendent’s remarks indicate administrators will present a formal budget amendment for committee action at the next meeting.

The concerns voiced by teachers focused on scope and implementation: reading assistants and classroom assistants were described as essential to Tier‑2 interventions and progress monitoring; removing them, speakers argued, would slow identification of at‑risk readers and reduce available intervention time.

School committee members did not make a formal decision during the public‑comment period. The administration’s planned budget amendment, once presented, will provide a formal opportunity for committee action on whether and how to allocate the additional state funds.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled in two weeks, when members will consider the administration’s proposed amendment and other budget items.","Three educators and the district teachers’ union asked the Acton‑Boxborough Regional School Committee to use newly announced state aid to restore reading-assistant and classroom-assistant hours cut from next year’s budget, saying the positions support early intervention and reduce long‑term special‑education needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: school committee approves steering committee, adopts financial‑assistance policy and completes routine appointments

School committee establishes strategic‑planning and reorganization steering committee and posts kickoff meeting

School committee reviews first read of high‑school handbook; proposed changes include phone‑free classrooms and open gradebook

Elementary principals report steady rollout of MTSS and districtwide SEL; new 'Elevate' group at Miriam to amplify student voice

Teachers, union leaders urge school committee to restore reading and classroom assistants with new state funds