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Wachusett committee affirms concussion policy, endorses budget posture, approves contracts and appointments
Summary
The committee affirmed an athletic concussion policy and referred it for subcommittee review, approved the consent agenda (minutes, kiln and pollinator donations), endorsed returning unexpected state funds to member towns if received, approved funding rules for a proposed capital stabilization fund, and approved treasurer/assistant treasurer contracts and outside legal counsel.
At its April 28 meeting the Wachusett Regional School Committee approved several administrative motions and contracts after routine debate. Among the actions taken:
- The committee affirmed policy 6,613.2 on athletic injury and concussion management and voted to refer the policy to the policy subcommittee for potential improvement. A roll call was held; the chair abstained and the affirmation motion passed.
- The consent agenda — approval of the regular session minutes of April 7, 2025; acceptance of a kiln donated by the Sterling Arts Collaborative to Wachusett Regional High School; and a donation for a pollinator garden at Thomas Prince School — was approved by roll call vote.
- The committee voted to support using unexpected state funding to reduce member‑town assessments for fiscal year 2026 if such funds materialize. Superintendent Riley had told the committee that a House Ways and Means draft increased the minimum Chapter 70 per‑pupil aid to $150 per student and kept a 23% increase in regional school transportation funding, potentially yielding an estimated $500,000–$700,000 to the district.
- Members approved guidance that any proposed capital stabilization fund be funded only through excess and deficiency (E&D) balances for a three‑year period rather than by additional appropriations, to reassure towns the district would not add a separate line item assessment to seed the fund.
- In executive session the committee discussed bargaining and contracts. Upon return to public session the full committee approved the treasurer and assistant treasurer contracts by roll call votes.
- Legal Affairs recommended continuing two outside law firms for 2025–26; the full committee approved the appointments with no fee increases.
Superintendent Riley said these administrative votes were aimed at predictable fiscal planning and ensuring district compliance with state regulations, and he reiterated that any final change in assessments would require future committee action once final state budget numbers are known.
