Committee pauses changes to student‑assignment policy; residency, tuition rules to be reviewed

The School Committee agreed to suspend changes to policy JCA (assignment of students to schools) for the 2025–26 school year and proceed under the current assignment model while district staff finalize plans related to building use. Committee members said Ashby and Townsend schools remain in a temporary or paused status, so central office will plan student placements for the coming year based on residence and the expected use of Squawancook and Spaulding. Members also discussed a separate residency and tuition policy drawn from Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) templates. Committee members noted the draft would give the district clearer authority to address residency questions, to charge tuition in “tough budget times” and to handle out-of-district or exchange students who require support services. The committee left the residency/tuition draft for future consideration and asked staff to place it on a subsequent agenda. Committee members said the assignment suspension aligns with budget approvals and earlier committee votes that temporarily altered the policy for the coming year. Staff will revisit student-assignment rules as building-use plans solidify near the end of the school year.