Board approves Lakes Region High School Consortium to expand student course access

The Merrimack Valley School Board voted to sign a Lakes Region High School Consortium agreement that opens access to courses at participating regional high schools for students enrolled at their home district at least 51% of the time.

Administration said the agreement is designed as a collaborative, nonfinancial framework that lets students take classes offered at other area high schools when schedules and logistics permit. A concrete example given was that second‑year CRTC students could stay on the CRTC bus and take an English class at Concord as part of a block schedule, enabling students to maximize their day without losing credit from their home district.

An administrator explained that signing does not obligate the district to fund transportation or to change enrollment counting: the home district would remain the resident district for adequacy funding. "For kids in the second year of CRTC... they could go from here, get on the first CRTC bus, and go down and take an English class that's in part of block schedule in Concord," the administrator said. Principals and guidance staff will meet to identify schedules and seats available; districts retain the right to cap classes and set participation rules.

Board members expressed interest and noted practical questions about schedules, counselor workload and liability for students who drive themselves; administrators said counselors and principals will help manage logistics and that initial take‑up is expected to be gradual.

What happens next: the board authorized signing the agreement. Staff will work with partner schools to map schedules and publish guidance for families on how to request cross‑district courses.