Uxbridge enrollment edges up to 1,654 students; committee eyes demographic study and facility planning

Superintendent Mr. Youngberg told the committee the district’s enrollment stood at 1,654 students, an increase of 22 students (about 1.3%) compared with recent years. He flagged capacity pressure at Taft and Whiting and said the district is evaluating five-year and longer-term capital needs.

Mr. Youngberg described grade-level shifts — including growth in 10th grade from 113 to 129 students and high eighth-grade enrollment — and said the district is considering a formal demographic study and facility-master planning to inform capital investments and staffing decisions. "We are looking at doing a formal demographic study to see what our projections might be looking like in the next 3 to 5 years and beyond," he said.

Committee members also reviewed high-school class-size data: 41 teachers have maximum class sizes greater than 25; seven science sections have 24 or more students; three co-taught sections exceed 25. Members raised concern about lab sizes and loss of an adjustment counselor in the extended‑learning program.

On transportation, administration noted the current contract with Vendetti includes two one-year extension options the committee may exercise; staff recommended preparing an RFP if the committee chooses to solicit new bids. The committee will address transportation timing concurrently with the budget process.

Next steps: administration plans to return with demographic-study proposals, more detailed per-grade projections and options for short- and long-term capital responses, including modular or reconfiguration options as interim relief.