Committee renames goals as action items, reviews FY27 budget outline and adopts enrollment policy

The North Middlesex Regional School Committee on Dec. 16 formalized three workshop items as 'school committee action items' (a committee handbook, research and drafting of AI/technology policies, and a timeline of performance indicator reports) and directed follow-up work rather than treating them as long-range strategic goals.

Finance committee chair Kim Craven presented a rolled-up budget summary showing the proposed FY27 district request at roughly a 3.06% increase over FY26. Craven explained the percent change in the district budget does not translate identically to municipal assessments and warned one town may face a higher percentage increase based on enrollment proportions. Administration noted numbers remain provisional pending state allocations and the governor’s budget.

On policy matters the committee adopted policy JFAA (school enrollment and residency) by roll-call vote. The committee also amended a motion to table policy FCB (retirement of facilities) to the Jan. 13 meeting for revision after committee suggestions; the motion to table was approved by roll call. Several other policies were approved for first reading.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the consent agenda, approved the program of studies (see separate coverage), unanimously accepted the $60,000 ADA planning grant, adopted policy JFAA, and tabled policy FCB for rewrite. Members set a target to receive requested facilities and finance details at least a week before the Jan. 20 meeting to inform a decision on Ashby Elementary.