[{"_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",6209493,"mediaKeyId","3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81","parentId",3734303,"title","Braintree launches master-plan work: enrollment projections and educational-resource reviews to inform facilities options","audioSeconds",615,"startMs",3261000,"endMs",3876000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81&start=3261&end=3876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81/thumbnail_3261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209493/Massachusetts/Braintree-launches-master-plan-work-enrollment-projections-and-educational-resource-reviews-to-inform-facilities-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209493-3c202c4b98c36c2635103f59521913a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953883&Signature=MnfMytl3M88BYkW2zyw1hZORBP5E3Iye74fEPlnOcsfHaqpuKOcb~-U9d5QdrEMBUCyGOV4wWTkKrvvAWgNRi~uCZMWd4TZEzuxaGcF0zGgyQ-6TMS-vgTfEgt-ztO-PtFFKaG9gZN2uv0Ge1RYkw~k63YwywFrDVVSA00RkQHYXzdFDkAvCjV9NksniPjW-XE4j4-BMCx6DC9H8SepzaS1Mw9TXaD0bPYw8az-6zFgw2L8lDTBjtQpKB82ProG8ST~39HlVLCn60CoRL8~dXvRRh4Ksl9hxchvAuZGt2XD856m5699q0f~H8AIM5rWzffToMVgLDfPw9h1YXkUbBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Braintree Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-10T09:02:23.607Z","article","Town and school officials told the School Committee on June 9 that they are moving forward with a multi-part master-plan process intended to provide data for future facility decisions and any potential Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) application.

The work will include:

- An enrollment and utilization study by ProPer GIS (referred to in the meeting transcript as Proper GIS) to project school enrollments over a multi-year horizon and account for local development and demographic shifts.

- An educational-resource review by Education Resource Strategies (ERS), which previously worked with the district. Officials asked ERS to revisit K-4 neighborhood-school challenges and special-education delivery to clarify operational and budgetary implications.

- A facilities planning and educational-visioning procurement (RFP) to synthesize these data inputs, update facility-condition information where needed and present options, costs and timelines. Officials said that final proposals from the facilities RFP would present a matrix of options and tradeoffs for public review.

Finance Director Mike Esmond and the mayor's office described the three-part approach as intentionally sequential: the data studies are inputs that will allow the facilities vendor to model options rather than re-do analyses already done in prior studies. Officials said the RFP addendum and final submission schedule were being finalized, with responses due in mid-June (the posted closing date in the meeting was June 16). The team expects to invite finalists to present to the committee and to hold public sessions to gather community feedback.

\"We really can't tackle this entirely with a big master plan RFP without getting some more critical data pieces,\" Esmond said, urging a front-loaded, evidence-based approach.

Committee members asked about oversight and public engagement. Officials said the procurement issued through the mayor's office will be executed in close collaboration with the district, the facilities/public-works team and committee liaisons, and they encouraged formation of stakeholder groups or advisory panels to provide parents and community representatives regular touchpoints during the process. Officials acknowledged the timeline is aggressive but said they intend multiple public presentations and checkpoints before final recommendations are presented.

Ending: Officials said they will return with updates; staff expected to report on vendor proposals and project kickoff at future committee meetings and to incorporate community feedback in the August-to-September work cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BPS School Committee Meeting - Monday, June 9th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town and school officials told the School Committee on June 9 that they are moving forward with a multi-part master-plan process intended to provide data for future facility decisions and any potential MSBA application.","taxTitle","Braintree Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",67726,"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},6209498,"School committee approves trips, Title IX policy updates and electronic warrants pilot; delays two large donations",380,984000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81&start=984&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6209498/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-trips-Title-IX-policy-updates-and-electronic-warrants-pilot-delays-two-large-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209498-6c82c78fe811f5a63946d33a8c178db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953883&Signature=hZKjVUfbJGx~~W2nE0aaJ7dh~z8LhNbSQHmV7GR8X7Sado--e3aw1YLJAE~304IP5I2LJU~0QNPGzYnuwgorsvRG2neVY8LbhGxBGAwZQ-VQvkeVb~Q-52bn~mbZSi5yZG6C2ClotkOcMmDh-3PD7YH~Eo4YUIn-rbONE9wtqHubXPftv~mGBX0MzLMEe5cRb~R06r0~pYHk128RrsmwfMEbC7SUfQ6KRfVCrkebN01vBgpJvR~apEVQuWrUewM~LKIRQDEezWt~q5f3cvlxcSu57BB7BkF-sIr-kOxvnqh5ZKlR4O~-qX4kObvOMSHQwdetPE53GDqYoA8jA8SKpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Braintree School Committee took several formal votes at its June 9 meeting, approving trips, policy updates and administrative changes and postponing two large donations while it gathers donor details.

Votes at a glance

- Gifts: The committee voted to receive a set of gifts and donations reported at the meeting, but postponed two Snap Mobile deposits earmarked for Braintree High School varsity baseball ($9,849.90) and softball ($6,345.40) until the next meeting while staff verify donor records. The motion accepting the gifts except the two Snap Mobile deposits was moved by Dr. Horak and seconded by Ms. Tuffy; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Trips: The committee approved three out-of-state trips: the BHS varsity dance team to the Universal Dance Association national competition in Orlando (Feb. 4-9, 2026); two middle-school trips to Quebec (May 14-17, 2026); and the South middle-school Washington, D.C., trip (March 18-21, 2026). The motion to approve all three trips passed unanimously.

- Title IX and nondiscrimination policies: The committee voted to adopt a set of policies reverting Title IX-related language to the board's January 2021 set and to eliminate four more-recent, overlapping policies adopted in 2024. The motion to approve the consolidated policy set was moved by Ms. Tuffey and seconded by Dr. Horak; the motion carried, with at least one recorded dissent noted during the roll call.

- Electronic warrants pilot: The committee approved a pilot beginning July 1 to circulate warrants electronically with electronic signatures required from the four signers; warrants will be shared electronically with the full committee. The motion to pilot electronic signatures on warrants passed unanimously.

- Delayed opening for grade 9 orientation: The committee approved a proposal to open school two hours later for grades 10-12 on the first day of classes so freshmen can have a two-hour orientation. The motion passed; one member, Anthony Adams, registered opposition on the floor.

Procedural notes: Several motions were moved and seconded by committee members present; the meeting minutes record voice votes for most actions. In several cases the committee adopted motions unanimously by voice vote; where a member registered opposition the transcript identifies the person by name.

Ending: Staff indicated they will report back with the requested donor information on the Snap Mobile gifts at the next meeting. The approved trips and policy changes will proceed as adopted.","The committee voted on multiple routine and policy items June 9: approved three student trips, adopted Title IX-related policy changes, authorized a pilot for electronic warrant signatures, approved a delayed opening for freshmen orientation and accepted most donated items while postponing two Snap Mobile donations pending donor detail.",{"_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},6209502,"Resident urges transparency in Braintree school building plan, cites maintenance and enrollment concerns",192,98000,290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81&start=98&end=290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6209502/Massachusetts/Resident-urges-transparency-in-Braintree-school-building-plan-cites-maintenance-and-enrollment-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209502-75613addb1c61142260e34efd224118e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953883&Signature=aVOmKEYeiV15k2dTXT09tKwRdNNAlSPwfs36KAcUQsLNb~-vdiOW~rzEY9tvkiqAIezE1IvA4jMadTCzmw3WtyEoMi5CjyMSm177fwwonZnvMsr3NC1bYQAXtyqunrYOgknRT5F86gtiHy-cs2uZa~IQHyVf3-QqIjKBAtlU5qUiOVSvW9Fuc41f9HrgJ6kI5XwinhkDHJD3IbIYrmJKP7w-GcJ0ssMZiuZp910KgTm4eHImgzIIpskCeVnDcB4M-a7R-H2AGWI9-jt6iSuQzq28ZWkiIfCURt46zdGCPX53yXus~wfOj7QI00EWF65hPZPhCT~PLeWwCRh~uzFm~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mr. Cass, a Braintree resident speaking during public comment at the June 9 School Committee meeting, urged the district to make the forthcoming school building plan \"transparent\" and to include clearer, year-by-year estimates of what the district should be spending on school maintenance.

\"What I would like to see from this school building plan is, or even before that... exactly is the right amount of money that we need to be spending on maintenance for the school buildings every year,\" Cass said, pressing the committee to distinguish between the district's current base maintenance rate and the true maintenance cost required to stop long-term deterioration.

Cass told the committee the town's capital assessment and recent building assessments were helpful but not sufficient. He asked that the building plan include operational elements such as a districtwide maintenance software module and a trouble-ticket system rolled out across all schools so the public can see backlog and costs. He suggested a modest, recurring funding stream for the software to ensure it is completed.

Cass also urged that any decision to close a school include a ballot question for town voters. He described reactions at a recent Highlands community meeting where residents said they feared sudden school closures. \"If you're not gonna do that, I wouldn't support closing schools,\" he said, urging more public involvement in any consolidation process.

As an illustration of broader facility neglect, Cass said he recently toured the town firehouse and \"saw the state of it\"'describing missing stall doors, holes in walls and a room with mold. He asked the committee to consider those conditions when weighing the state of school buildings.

Cass raised concerns about recent enrollment counts, noting month-to-month shifts he said were not fully explained. \"I wanna go into this next discussion with the school building plan with numbers that are accurate and transparent,\" he said, pointing to a discrepancy between figures he had tracked and counts reportedly used in conversations with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

Committee members acknowledged the concerns during later agenda items about an enrollment study and a broader master-plan update; the district is proceeding with an enrollment projection and facilities visioning process that officials said will include public engagement and consultant analysis.

Ending: The committee did not take immediate action on the points Mr. Cass raised. Several elements he requested'including an enrollment study and a broader facilities master-plan effort'are being pursued in the coming months as part of the town's planning work.","At the June 9 Braintree School Committee meeting, a longtime resident urged clearer public reporting in the district's upcoming school building plan, raised maintenance shortfalls across town facilities and questioned recent enrollment figures submitted to the state and the MSBA.",{"_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},6209484,"Braintree introduces two new elementary principals and honors Superintendent Jim Lee's retirement",4889,1511000,6400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81&start=1511&end=6400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6209484/Massachusetts/Braintree-introduces-two-new-elementary-principals-and-honors-Superintendent-Jim-Lees-retirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209484-5092682129cc715a9d4697058515d038/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953883&Signature=d34Bkri8qBuY3979JrXrpcBwjGqftZum83~jVantivJv1QsjpuXMx0sMQI7a~2BV240D-DRDrVhIC2J5OAgYmkeq7taqtc7zh4L9JwamSswBr9ypUP2shAG-7kvmJz8d04oACkIO2uZu9hFO~cxKEPnBzIlWx9sNL--XzziWHa2cE-1bdnKKPZYoAO0acADKPuVch3k0E-dv6-ENeLc0lD~iE1KbFbh-S-kmXuie8MNrzrOtyPbv0BbATEyrov~oCwnV-vBwiHYj2iOtGVQ4NtSkkHmqzS~JAsuLu7C9l1EuvYv1DYYaFtirCC29U7w8JiyMCMSpAMwdXhh58IL4GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee on June 9 introduced two new principals who will join the district next academic year and paid tribute to Superintendent Jim Lee, who will retire in mid-September.

Melanie Hart was introduced as the new principal of Liberty Elementary School. Hart described her background in district leadership and said her favorite part of being a principal is \"walking through the classrooms\" to see students learning and engaging, and greeting families during arrival. She previously served as director of services in Bridgewater-Raynham and as an elementary principal in Brockton.

The committee also welcomed Dr. Nancy Pelakier, returning to the district to serve as principal at Hollis Elementary. Pelakier previously served as Highlands Elementary principal for many years and said she was pleased to return for another year of service.

The committee presented a certificate of commendation to Superintendent Jim Lee and offered public remarks thanking him for more than a decade of service in the district in multiple roles. Committee members credited Lee with steady leadership through budget constraints and the COVID period and said leadership transitions will continue with Assistant Superintendent Nora Vannaza, Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Kaufman and incoming Superintendent Tim McDonald.

Ending: The committee moved on to remaining agenda items after the introductions and tribute; personnel changes take effect in the 2025-26 school year and Lee will remain in place through mid-September to support a transition.","The School Committee introduced Melanie Hart as the new principal of Liberty Elementary and announced the appointment of Dr. Nancy Pelakier to Hollis. The committee also formally recognized Superintendent Jim Lee ahead of his mid-September retirement.",{"_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},6209489,"Committee reviews middle-school program-of-studies; members raise equity and study-hall concerns",351,1833000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81&start=1833&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734303-eba12a059c70fdcf87b1b5fdcec08c81/thumbnail_1833000.jpg","/articles/6209489/Massachusetts/Committee-reviews-middle-school-program-of-studies-members-raise-equity-and-study-hall-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209489-dd1ccc9e183c52d00f0414dd31e62d37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953883&Signature=Pb~BoPYfnhUM~hCAoAhIypxxgPwRY69ol8MLgu~d3M4ioT34XCKIZpIJJ2shlc3102CoGZjf9ToXlwhR3nNLvMQUgDJ3cNaj8rXk~6LEnPqjusNwfMu-KymImVMUaMx95-2ce3uR05ZtMt-xmhsRvAI1otG1y60eVKv7du0N9CJaPIhRHX59sz-ZDXPgfAhkxbbVdhdKKOMHUqbzb3xXl7R15wKruzRT1na2awjI~SuF7Yu1L17Qrq9a7wvJWXRwE5tVlBZLA5AnSQTtR5C8eQx3Qwjv8tfM8lPCFS1KpI6sXXTnknzi~gVyoLcCfVNEpVOVdBdjuXAAlWTpM~WR~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee held an extended discussion of the proposed Middle School Program of Studies, led by a presentation from Mr. Rainey, who described year-to-year adjustments and relatively minor housekeeping changes to the East and South middle-school schedules.

Committee members questioned the distribution of instructional blocks and the heavy reliance on study halls for certain grades. \"I don't think it's fair that there's unequal instructional opportunity for all the students in the school, such that the [sixth] graders have to sit in a study hall without having instruction almost daily,\" Dr. Horak said, putting on the record an objection tied to budget constraints. Several members echoed concerns about the use of push-in versus pull-out special-education models, class size, teachers working outside their primary certification area and the effect of schedule design on student opportunity.

Mr. Rainey explained that some of the schedule designs were intended as temporary responses to post-pandemic learning gaps and staffing realities; he said the district uses a mix of push-in services, scheduled pull-outs and paraprofessional support. He also described how study halls are staffed by teachers who oversee student work and, when possible, provide academic supports such as organization or assignment review.

Committee members asked for careful review of ELA and science MCAS results to determine whether prior changes (for example, cuts to dedicated writing and engineering blocks) affected outcomes. Several committee members said they wanted the district to pursue additional revenue and staffing changes to restore instructional time.

Final outcome: The document was presented for an initial reading. Members requested additional clarification about staffing, grouping, and enrollment figures; the committee agreed to revisit the program-of-studies item at the July meeting before final adoption so staff can provide updated numbers and responses to the questions posed.

Ending: Staff said the program document needs to be posted in time for fall scheduling, but the committee will consider final approval after summer follow-up and public review.","The School Committee received a reading of the middle-school program of studies. Members expressed concern that budget-driven schedule choices leave students with daily study halls and uneven instructional time; the matter will be revisited at the July meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Braintree launches master-plan work: enrollment projections and educational-resource reviews to inform facilities options

School committee approves trips, Title IX policy updates and electronic warrants pilot; delays two large donations

Resident urges transparency in Braintree school building plan, cites maintenance and enrollment concerns

Braintree introduces two new elementary principals and honors Superintendent Jim Lee's retirement

Committee reviews middle-school program-of-studies; members raise equity and study-hall concerns