The Wareham School Committee took a series of formal actions on Dec. 18, ranging from student travel approvals to district policy adoptions and budget measures.

Trip approval: The committee approved moving forward with a proposed EF Educational Tours trip to Spain in June 2027 after a presentation described prior successful trips and refund/protection-plan options. Motion and vote were recorded as passed (tally recorded as 4–0–0).

Policies and program approvals: The committee approved several policy items after review by the policy subcommittee. Those included online instruction wording changes, amended graduation-requirements language removing IB and clarifying AP/dual-enrollment weighting, and attendance policies (grades 8–12) as amended; motions carried (4–0–0). The committee also adopted a CTE tour policy amendment to require Upper Cape Tech tours for eighth graders by Dec. 1 each year (vote 4–0–0).

Competency determination: The committee voted to adopt a district competency determination policy that lists English 10, algebra/geometry, and core sciences—and adds U.S. history for the class of 2027—and sets a final-grade threshold of 70 or above to count toward competency for classes beginning with the class of 2029. Board members debated the threshold, appeals process and supports for students with disabilities before approving the policy (vote 4–0–0).

Budget and finance: The superintendent presented a proposed FY27 level-service-plus budget of $38,244,686 (a 5.9% increase). After discussion the committee moved and voted; the chair recorded the meeting tally as 2–1–1, which the chair indicated met the quorum for this step in the process. Finance staff also warned of higher out‑of‑district special‑education transportation costs and said current mitigation steps and circuit‑breaker funds give the district limited flexibility.

Personnel and contracts: The committee approved a side‑letter amendment to extend department-chair stipend/retirement benefit eligibility from grades 6–12 to preK–12 (vote 4–0–0). The committee also approved the negotiated contract for incoming superintendent Dr. Amy Hartley Madison, who will begin July 1 (vote 4–0–0).

Gifts: The committee accepted two gifts: $20,000 from the Maurice and Anne Makepeace Family Foundation for Wareham Public Schools and $160 from Noah Young to support music and drama programs (vote 4–0–0).

Next steps: Several items noted for follow-up included a March/April report on the before‑school childcare pilot and continued monitoring of transportation costs; the superintendent and staff signaled they will continue to refine operational and budget details.