Superintendent proposes small school‑choice pilot for 2025–26; committee schedules public process

Superintendent Douglas Lyons proposed April 29 that Wakefield Public Schools run a small pilot through Massachusetts' school‑choice program for the 2025–26 year: offer two seats per grade in grades 2–12, for 22 seats total, and use a blind lottery if applications exceed seats.

"What I've shared with the committee is kind of an architecture to accept just 2 students per grade from grade 2 through grade 12. That's 22 students in total," Lyons told the School Committee. Lyons described the proposal as a cautious, "learn by doing" approach intended to start small, provide a potential benefit for faculty and staff (who could enter the lottery), and generate state aid if seats are filled.

Administrators and committee members outlined logistics and limits. The district would need to specify the exact number of seats offered by grade; as Lyons put it, "So if we're saying 2 By grade. Then we're saying 2 by grade. Right? So you have to specify the number of seats." The proposal excludes pre‑K (pre‑K is not part of school choice) and initially omits kindergarten and first grade because administrators expect those classrooms to be full. Lyons estimated state aid of about $5,000 per choice student; if all 22 seats are filled that equates to roughly $110,000 in additional state funds, he said, and noted possible additional reimbursement for special education services when applicable.

Committee members pressed on capacity and commitment. Several members stressed that if the committee specified seats it would be required to accommodate admitted students even in grades with high enrollment. One member said, "once you accept a student, you're committed to them through graduation," and cautioned that the $5,000 state payment does not necessarily cover the full cost of educating a student who requires additional services. Lyons and the business administrator also explained that school‑choice allocations "come off a calculation of Chapter 78" for state aid.

Other details discussed: - Applications would be blind: the district would not see discipline records or special education status when running the lottery. Staff members would be allowed to enter the same lottery as all other applicants but would not receive guaranteed priority. Lyons said the administration had examined different models and recommended starting small. - Transportation would be the responsibility of parents; the district would not provide busing for choice students. - Legal/timing constraints: Massachusetts districts must declare their school‑choice status by June 1; a public hearing is required. Administrators proposed gathering additional committee feedback on May 13, hold a public hearing and plan a vote at the May 27 meeting if the committee decided to move forward.

Committee members split on the idea. Some supported a cautious pilot to fill available seats and add revenue, while others urged caution because of capacity concerns and the potential for added special‑education costs. Several members recommended data on class sizes by grade to inform any final authorization. Lyons told the committee he would prepare a draft application and schedule the required public hearing if the committee wanted to proceed.

No formal vote to participate in school choice was taken on April 29. The administration asked the School Committee for feedback and said it would return with a draft application and public‑hearing schedule for committee action before the June 1 deadline.

Sources: Superintendent Douglas Lyons; School Committee members (questions and comments in meeting).