Stoughton School Committee votes 5-0 to decline state school choice for 2025–26

The Stoughton School Committee voted 5-0 on May 27, 2025, to decline participation in the stateschool-choice program for the 2025—26 school year, citing rising enrollment, high student churn and insufficient space in district buildings.

Superintendent Dr. Bridal told the committee the district—s recommendation was based on three factors: rising enrollment, high churn and facility space constraints. "So based on 3 things. 1, a growing enrollment as a district. 2, the churn, meaning the number of students that are in and out of the district on a regular basis, which is about 380. And then 3, space. We were already have a huge problem with space, as you know, at all of our buildings, for a number of different reasons," he said.

School choice is typically used by districts with declining enrollment to attract students and associated state funding. Dr. Bridal explained how the program can generate revenue, saying, "The formula is $5,000 per student, plus they use, a special ed circuit breaker for students that are getting certain services." He added that in a prior district he worked in, incoming choice students generated more than $1,400,000 a year for roughly 202 students, allowing one-time investments such as one-to-one device initiatives.

During the public hearing portion of the special meeting, no members of the public spoke. The committee opened and closed the public hearing by unanimous roll call votes before taking the final motion. The motion to not participate in the state's school choice program for the 2025—26 school year was made by Jen and seconded by Karen; the roll call vote was recorded as 5-0 in favor.

Committee members and the superintendent discussed whether the district had physical capacity to accept choice students, including after planned construction. Dr. Bridal said, "No. We do not. And that's the reason why I'm recommending this," when asked whether the district had room to house incoming students, including when the new school is built. He also said the recommendation was likely to be the same next year given ongoing space pressures.

The meeting also included nonbinding informational items: committee members were asked to submit appointment preferences by close of business Wednesday, June 11, and the committee agreed to add the Jones school to an appointments list. Committee members discussed a "sick bank" appointment item and noted it currently remains a school committee appointment for all unions except the Stoughton Teachers Association (STA), pending further clarification from the STA. The committee was reminded that appointments will be announced at the June 17 regular meeting at the Stoughton Public Schools district office.

Votes at a glance: Motion to not participate in the state's school choice program for the 2025—26 school year — Motion: "Do not participate in the state's school choice program for the 2025—26 school year." Mover: Jen. Second: Karen. Outcome: Approved. Tally: Yes 5, No 0. Notes: Public hearing opened and closed; no public comment recorded.