Trustees were briefed on admissions, new state vocational admissions regulations and a board action to adopt updated local graduation requirements.

Principal Joe Bianca reported admissions activity: the first round of 150 acceptance letters went out before April break; as of the meeting 77 of those first‑round students had registered (about 48.12%), and first‑round accepted students have until Monday, June 2 to accept their seats, after which seats will be offered to students on the wait list. “As of today, we have 77 first round students who registered at so that's about 48.12% of those letters that went out,” Bianca said.

Trustees also heard that the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 8–2 in favor of a proposed weighted lottery for vocational admissions following public comment and regulatory review. A staff speaker summarized the board action: “As of today, the vote was 8 to 2 to support the weighted lottery.” The new regulations require districts to admit in‑district students first under a lottery framework and then consider nonresident students; staff recommended Smith preserve current local priorities by running a priority lottery for Northampton students before a general lottery for other applicants.

On graduation policy, trustees reviewed and then voted to amend policy IKF to create local competency determinations now that state MCAS results are no longer the required determination. The policy specifies required coursework that satisfies district competency for English (satisfactory completion of English 9 and English 10), mathematics (completion of Algebra or Integrated 1 and Geometry or Integrated 2), and science (completion of Biology or Physics). The board approved the amended policy at the meeting.

The board also voted not to participate in the state school‑choice program for the 2025–26 school year; staff explained that the state school‑choice payment does not cover the higher per‑student cost of vocational instruction and that accepting school‑choice students could undermine sending‑district relationships.

Trustees made no changes to admissions practice at the meeting beyond confirming the district will plan to run lotteries consistent with state regulations and local priorities; staff will continue to refine procedures and communicate deadlines to families.