Plymouth schools report rising enrollment, third kindergarten class and facilities plans; special-education costs noted

Plymouth school representatives reported rising student enrollment and several planned expenditures at Monday’s Select Board meeting.

Plymouth Elementary School reported current enrollment of 387 students and 42 confirmed kindergarten registrations, prompting plans to add a third kindergarten class. The district said it will advertise a one-year teaching position to cover the additional kindergarten section and indicated funds exist in the current budget for that hire.

Officials also reported a roughly $499,000 district fund balance; about $80,000 of that is earmarked for facilities improvements including office renovations, repaving and drainage work. The elementary school noted a special-education expense related to sending a student to Saint Anne’s in Massachusetts, cited at roughly $92,000; the district also budgeted $159,000 for contracted behavioral-health support through William White Services.

At the secondary level, officials noted senior activities, AP testing and field trips; graduation is scheduled for June 7 at 9 a.m. on the football field with a rain date the following day. The district plans facility investments this summer including classroom furniture replacements and soccer/lacrosse field fencing; several teaching positions remain open, including a critical-need math opening and special-education roles.

The district will increase the school lunch charge by 10 cents to align with federal reimbursement rules; administrators described the change as the minimum required to move toward compliance with federal program reimbursement levels.