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Superintendent outlines reconfiguration plan, kitchen and transportation changes for fall
Summary
Superintendent Brad Morgan described reconfiguration work including checks on a backup generator and kitchen at the early childhood site, a proposed family opt-in/opt-out bussing registration for fall and a plan to eliminate unused stops after two weeks to improve on-time performance.
Superintendent Brad Morgan told the North Middlesex Regional School District School Committee May 19 that district staff and vendors are preparing facilities and transportation plans as part of a temporary reconfiguration.
On facilities, Morgan said vendors Whitsons and Freshpicks, along with staff Dave Amari and Jeremy Hammond, have inspected the early childhood site identified in the packet and believe the district can make its kitchen operational and connect a backup generator by the start of the school year, or very early in the fall. The superintendent said an operational kitchen at that site would streamline meal service, though Hawthorne Brook could serve the area if needed.
On transportation, Morgan said the district will ask families in June to opt in or opt out of bussing so routes can be created from confirmed lists. He told the committee: “we are asking all families to opt in or opt out of bussing” and warned that “bus stops will be eliminated if students are not present at a particular stop after 2 consecutive weeks.” Morgan said the change is intended to reduce chronically late runs and that families may request route additions later in the year.
Committee members asked whether equipment from the closed Ashby building could be transferred to the early childhood site; Morgan said some equipment may be movable but not all, and he noted the district is pursuing a capital grant (through Senator Cronin) for capital purchases and generator connections. Committee members also pressed administration on balancing class rosters so young students from Ashby and Townsend would have peer representation and on reducing route delays at Hawthorne Brook.
Morgan said the district has been working with its bus operator (referred to in the meeting as “Dee”/Dion) and transportation staff Tammy Bombard to adjust routes, combine runs where feasible, and prioritize timely departures from the high school to avoid cascading delays.
No formal action was required at the meeting; committee members asked for follow-up details on generator hookups, kitchen readiness and the finalized bussing registration process.
