[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6199946,"mediaKeyId","3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a","parentId",3820295,"title","Quabbin pursues hires at job fair; HR manager retiring and speech‑language pathologist shortage flagged","audioSeconds",1532,"startMs",1641000,"endMs",3173000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a&start=1641&end=3173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a/thumbnail_1641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199946/Massachusetts/Quabbin-pursues-hires-at-job-fair-HR-manager-retiring-and-speechlanguage-pathologist-shortage-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199946-8631dcc21d3439d9d53c15e953a86c71/orig.mp4?Expires=1776062259&Signature=M5V9qDR5QEREMNsCWZLfebj7FhUDGo-qFyXR1LPLrFIbkzATG87xRSo9J5Cmt9k7xvbU5Xvxhor8jfhtNF5-IbYb0MOKthjbMBHuGsfknXJkkCU679nEOS9iL-Lq~bOYDYidVHSJKGFLY~r2VCajfbo2Euzve5QmfKlSQK2JZ0mF7ggfOW1aaCpAfa3dRvVJofeQ2482AtABEdViIeN7f3z6vwc57dVIyIiPGBzP1~TOTYksKKMps-XFJovxdkYnuQPoGpb0gFe2iNPEY8j2qRZPFtqAzHaVQlZZjtaKvK~fkiWwJiJPP-MeFKzDP6KwZz~EXInSOuvcAqppYIjcTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Quabbin Regional School District, MA","date","2025-06-12T22:30:56Z","article","Quabbin Regional School District administrators reported at the May 8 meeting that recruiting remains a priority as HR manager Nancy Landry prepares to retire and the district has struggled to fill some specialized positions, notably speech‑language pathologists.

The district’s director of teaching, learning and support was at a regional job fair with the HR director to recruit candidates for next year, the superintendent said. Administrators said they have conducted interviews for the HR manager replacement and for an assistant business manager, and that finalists or offers have been made in some cases.

On staffing shortages, district officials and the director of student services said it remains difficult to recruit speech‑language pathologists. The director of student services reported multiple strong candidates and that offers have been extended; the administration said they are waiting to hear acceptances. School staff noted competing districts sometimes offer substantially higher pay — one administrator said staff departures to neighboring districts have been driven by salary increases “like $20,000 more.”

Committee members asked whether the shortage is pipeline‑related or compensation‑related; the director said competitive entry requirements and limited program slots contribute to a smaller candidate pool, and pay differentials have led some staff to accept positions elsewhere. Administrators said they are pursuing active recruitment with colleges and will continue to make offers and follow up with candidates.

The committee also heard that the district recently moved the full‑day preschool program to New Braintree Grammar School and will open an alternative learning program and a language‑based program for grades 3–4 at other schools next year; staff said hiring remains a key part of placing those programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","QRSD School Committee May 8th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District officials attended a regional job fair to recruit staff; HR manager Nancy Landry is retiring and administrators reported a local shortage of speech‑language pathologists driven in part by salary competition.","taxTitle","Quabbin Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69226,"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},6199951,"Quabbin to trial serving lunch on half days after new state requirement",15,2141000,2156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a&start=2141&end=2156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a/thumbnail_2141000.jpg","/articles/6199951/Massachusetts/Quabbin-to-trial-serving-lunch-on-half-days-after-new-state-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199951-e2a32204ea99e75f168daf955e162dad/orig.mp4?Expires=1776062259&Signature=TMes5TGYT0ikyamyu~0O~gUoh2YQFgUTI8piEAMB3YkSRU-TL65mL8kjnk4p1H-FNN1MB~EOfdHjclJizAvIAqav-QwumJnzHwrhAvkb9-bnPJEr9k3FyO4XhZtpSRnjhkFl8xidIWqmxbhwhhQPLQOpS~Vfv9f5ynyCxglJHYeZXWtEjkiLcoarLz~MCgYaRF1tKvsAe0TQHgkJkHHnMOFIQrFfLlql7x8PMY1DSieUwHIAkxDiVT~xT8nZkNecqbuptKtNx9uoBKOetITUDWO5F8CO24AlDWRuob4K6V8a4fwgGuqF-QQih85lZHUt3tQ9B5pB~vX2f~ca1fk7Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) told the school committee on May 8 that the district is required by state policy to serve lunch on school half days beginning next year and that the district will run a trial in June to test timing and logistics.

The superintendent said the district’s food and nutrition director, Olivia, has met with middle‑high school staff and the administration will hold a meeting with elementary staff to finalize timing. The district will try a trial run before the end of the school year to evaluate timing for dismissal and meal lines.

Officials noted several operational questions remain, including whether lunch service will begin as early as 9:30 a.m. on some schedules; the superintendent said the trial will determine appropriate serving times and how to separate breakfast service from lunch. The administration stressed the trial is intended to identify timing, staffing and logistical strategies before the state requirement takes effect next year.

The committee asked for results of the trial after June so towns and staff can plan for schedules and supervision during half‑day dismissals.","Superintendent told the committee the district must serve lunch on half days beginning next year and will run a trial in June to test timing and logistics.",{"_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},6199956,"Quabbin committee approves $40.82 million budget proposal after further cuts; towns’ assessments reduced from earlier proposal",648,3365000,4013000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a&start=3365&end=4013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a/thumbnail_3365000.jpg","/articles/6199956/Massachusetts/Quabbin-committee-approves-4082-million-budget-proposal-after-further-cuts-towns-assessments-reduced-from-earlier-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199956-102f77f9f40f7c67601759b8efb84d96/orig.mp4?Expires=1776062259&Signature=PkP1KKF9wUmIftkmYDOmlmb7y~Zx1pGZ~g~0uxpnbk5r335ijl9Bj0ZO2q0xo7J~~1heFX3w171UFLLal2OJ6hg6I3DWIztBa0aqBHzYY5U9MKZFE-nMVzCItDElHEoZPywmqTRZ0kiTSFvP7~f1~Eka044RiAHiyiFc8u~as3oe-SaSBkWOP~qd0fMJc-0~mGX1Kuzli-x8OUDWG6YJTxF20Mdrp1zFKoV5OVHbEgkPcXSb~CNvY~zpOfP5WtEssms6OxlQd4KvHAMH1ih7U480hLMA18VE8uD23Cx4ikdAvS8oI0FmkzaeHXeam4T8To5Fg386d23x3ttg~rttxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Quabbin Regional School Committee approved Budget Proposal No. 3, totaling $40,819,289, at its May 8 meeting after the budget subcommittee and administration made additional cuts and adjustments.

The motion to approve Budget Proposal No. 3 — described by the committee as an updated revision after the House and Senate budget signals at the state level — passed on a recorded roll call. The committee recorded all members present voting in favor of the proposal.

Administrators said the revised package restores funding for retired teachers’ health insurance that earlier proposals moved to rural school aid, and makes targeted reductions elsewhere. Business manager Stacy (surname not specified in the record) told the committee staff restored approximately $900,000 for retired teacher health insurance and then sought savings by reducing classroom supplies by half, eliminating software subscriptions estimated to save more than $33,000, cutting $15,000 from athletics uniforms and reducing several positions (including additional cuts in facilities and one other position).

Other adjustments include moving a Chromebook refresh to the stabilization account and transferring an intervention program cost to school choice revenue. The committee also decided to use $750,000 from its Excess and Deficiency (E&D) reserve in the current proposal; the district’s reported E&D balance was discussed as roughly $848,000.

Administrators emphasized that further meaningful cuts would require program changes. The revised budget reduced the projected assessment increases for the member towns compared with the prior proposal: for example, New Braintree’s projected assessment moved from 8.63% to 6.39% under proposal 3; Hardwick’s from 3.75% to 0.95%; Hubbardston from 6.5% to 4.06%; and Oakham from 4.31% to 1.97% (figures shown in committee materials).

Committee members noted continuing uncertainty about state aid levels (including Chapter 70 and Chapter 71 funding) and federal grant availability; administrators said they would monitor state budget developments and return to the committee if material changes occur.

Committee members thanked staff for the granular review and said the reductions reflected “nickel and dime” work to preserve programs while meeting towns’ concerns.","The school committee approved Budget Proposal No. 3 at $40,819,289, after restoring retirement health insurance funding and making program and position reductions; the revisions reduced town assessment increases from earlier proposal levels.",{"_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},6199961,"Quabbin students present “Cohort Success” peer‑mentoring program to school committee",593,133000,726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a&start=133&end=726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3820295-439973749917ed2d41ccc73d39bd613a/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6199961/Massachusetts/Quabbin-students-present-Cohort-Success-peermentoring-program-to-school-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199961-fc607e734de3f30d9ac07415fc394d16/orig.mp4?Expires=1776062259&Signature=gK934EkQpVTMMG9Ltrl~7uVhInfV~dcnLiCurKqppOn-lZEjGyL8ABRHC-jbEsMrQR7cTi5ze5BsybEAVxwANH9BdDDi1JjwASHmLDBtUCBO~u7Rr2LrXGhTCxDxaN-ebxdcLlSicVNI4LROjKSoZOqV2odhbj5LABQInK37fqZqMu3PImnQabS-KZ-NyjaCSib8TI3Os6fpt5BTn3AeibaE1UaxjkRl8~ZPi-rbHepKkG7VZ2Ty6osgt5mVDlqg2GLDt3VPDNmKHPrAEra3neal6JdSqjQZdoP15W0uMlLo-q3TZS50FmInDdB5fP1-ZeMtaP6L4TK600BdOCRNbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Quabbin Regional School District student volunteers presented a follow‑up on “Cohort Success,” a three‑day peer‑mentoring series for incoming sixth‑graders, to the school committee at its May 8 meeting.

The students told the committee the program pairs sixth‑grade students with high‑school mentors for leadership activities, bullying‑prevention lessons and teamwork exercises, and ends with a field day intended to reinforce the lessons in a low‑stakes setting. Committee members and staff described the program as a year‑long effort to smooth the transition into middle‑high school and to create cross‑age connections.

Student volunteers said the program’s three days are spaced through the year. One of the presenters summarized the sequence: an October session focused on bullying prevention, a second day on friendship and teamwork, and a later field day that mixes cohorts and encourages group participation. The presenters explained that small mixed groups and name tags help sixth‑grade students put faces to names and practice being active bystanders.

A sixth‑grade participant said the program helped them meet students outside their usual class groups and made them more comfortable engaging with older students. “I thought that it was really fun, and I think that when we did it the time, it helped me meet some new people,” the student said.

Superintendent and committee members asked about continuity and sustainability. Committee member Dr. Allen asked whether any program participants had already become high‑school volunteers; students said the first cohort is still in middle school and that they hope future cohorts will supply volunteer leaders. Presenters also said they plan handoffs with building leaders to make the program sustainable after the current senior volunteers graduate.

Student presenters described practical supports used in the sessions: name tags; small, mixed‑grade groups; facilitator guides for high‑school volunteers; and short videos and worksheets for bullying prevention. Teachers and administrators said they intend to solicit grader feedback to refine future sessions and noted teacher volunteers meet monthly with high‑school mentors to coordinate plans.

The committee thanked the students and encouraged them to document materials and schedules so the program can continue in future years.","Student volunteers described a three‑day, mentor‑led program aimed at easing the transition into middle‑high school, emphasizing bullying prevention, friendship and a culminating field day.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quabbin pursues hires at job fair; HR manager retiring and speech‑language pathologist shortage flagged

Quabbin to trial serving lunch on half days after new state requirement

Quabbin committee approves $40.82 million budget proposal after further cuts; towns’ assessments reduced from earlier proposal

Quabbin students present “Cohort Success” peer‑mentoring program to school committee