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Acton-Boxborough committee votes to remain withdrawn from DESE School Choice; reverts Title IX policy language
Summary
At its April 17 meeting the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee voted to remain withdrawn from the Massachusetts DESE School Choice program for FY26 and voted to revert several district policies to earlier Title IX language following federal regulatory changes; the Title IX motion passed with multiple abstentions.
Acton — The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee on April 17 voted to keep the district withdrawn from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education(DESE) School Choice program for fiscal year 2026 and separately approved reverting three district policies to pre-November 2024 Title IX language.
The committee voted unanimously to keep the district withdrawn from DESESchool Choice after a short public hearing in which district staff explained the financial trade-offs. "The funding you get is $5,000 but the average per-pupil expenditure that we have is well over three times that amount," Andrew Shen said during the hearing, arguing that the district's analysis supported remaining withdrawn.
Why it matters: accepting School Choice students can bring state revenue per student but also requires the district to educate additional students at local cost. The committeedecided the current balance of revenue and expense does not favor opting in for FY26.
On a separate motion the committee approved reverting policy language in AC, ACAB and JIE to the versions in effect before the board-approved changes of November 2024. Superintendent and staff told the committee the change is necessary to reconcile district rules with the current federal Title IX regulatory framework. Committee members and some public speakers raised concerns about the policy changeand whether other district policies provide protections for gender identity and related issues.
The Title IX motion passed after a roll-call-style process that produced multiple abstentions; the motion was approved by the majority of members voting. Committee members who spoke during the roll call expressed a mix of support and discomfort with the federal shift but said the district must comply with current federal rules while continuing to use other local policies and procedures to protect students.
What the motions were and how the committee voted
- School Choice (FY26): Motion to remain withdrawn from the DESE School Choice program, with existing school-choice students allowed to remain through graduation. Moved from the floor and seconded during the hearing; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Title IX policy language (AC, ACAB, JIE): Motion to revert the policy language to versions in effect prior to the committeechanges voted on Nov. 24, 2024, in order to comply with current federal Title IX regulations. Moved and seconded; outcome: approved by a majority with multiple abstentions.
What committee members said: Several members stressed the district will continue to rely on other anti-bullying and harassment policies to address conduct related to gender identity and urged vigilance to protect students. "There are other policies and procedures that have to do with bullying and harassment that do incorporate gender identity as a protected class," a district staff member told the committee when explaining practical safeguards.
Next steps: The School Choice decision stands for FY26; the reverted Title IX language will be implemented administratively. Committee members said they will continue to review related policies and procedures to ensure students are protected under applicable local and state rules.
Votes at a glance and official motions are recorded in the meeting minutes and in the actions array attached to this article.
