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Superintendent warns of 25% 8th→9th cohort loss, outlines class-size adjustments and facilities concerns
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Riley reported six elementary class-size adjustments funded by efficiencies, said the district lost about 25% of the cohort between 8th and 9th grade this past year, and presented phase‑1 growth-task-force findings showing capacity risks in some Holden and Paxton schools; administration plans a phase‑2 facilities study and budget proposals for staffing and space.
Superintendent Dr. Riley told the Wachusett Regional School Committee that the district has made six class-size adjustments at the elementary level this year that were not in the budget and were supported by district efficiencies. "We were able to support those 6 class sizes adjustments both by, in some cases, reducing the number of sections at elementary, but we also, did it by looking at other levels, specifically the high school," he said.
Riley flagged specific classroom pressures: "We would have had some classrooms at the elementary level that could have been approaching 27 students, 28 students,"…
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