Acton‑Boxborough consultant outlines nine reorganization scenarios; community raises concerns about Merriam

Consultant Joe Costello told the Acton‑Boxborough Regional School Committee on Tuesday that the AB Forward planning process has reached a phase of gathering community feedback on a set of reorganization options and that a public survey is open through Friday, Nov. 7.

The presentation summarized three “dimensions” that produced nine distinct reorganization scenarios: facility consolidation (four elementary buildings into three, maintaining four, etc.), different ways to organize schools and programs within those facilities (keep six elementary schools, merge to five, or create grade‑banded schools), and options that shift sixth graders into secondary grades or consider long‑term regional expansion. Cost and sustainability were emphasized as drivers: the consultant said some options would produce administrative and facilities savings while trying to “minimize disruption for students and families.”

Why it matters: The committee and steering committee have framed AB Forward as a tool to address ongoing budget pressure and facility needs; any chosen path could change where students attend elementary school, how specialized programs are located, and staffing patterns districtwide.

Costello asked the committee to help get the…