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Wachusett district previews 2026–27 calendar and proposes limited high‑school school choice
Summary
Superintendent presented a draft 2026–27 calendar (staff start Aug. 25; students Aug. 26) and recommended reopening limited school choice at the high school for grades 9–11, noting 24 of 50 previously offered seats were filled and an estimated $120,000 fiscal impact; committee members requested follow‑up on AP testing conflicts and middle‑school openings.
The Wachusett Regional School District committee reviewed a draft 2026–27 calendar and a recommendation to again permit limited school choice at the high school.
Superintendent Dr. Reiby said the district consulted with the WREA and proposes staff start Tuesday, Aug. 25, with students beginning Aug. 26 because contract rules prevent an earlier staff start. Professional development days are proposed around town elections (Sept. 1, Nov. 3 and May 10) and the district is considering moving half‑day PDs from Wednesday to Thursday — and perhaps to Fridays in the longer term — to ease family schedules. Members raised a scheduling conflict: AP testing often falls during the May 10 half day, and the administration said it would follow up.
On school choice, the administration recommended reopening limited school choice at Wachusett Regional High School to fill remaining capacity rather than expanding programs. For 2025–26 the district had offered 25 seats in grade 9 and 25 in grade 10; to date those offers yielded 12 accepted seats in each grade (24 filled), and the administration estimated adding choice students produced about $120,000 in additional revenue. Reiby said the district would likely open choice for grades 9–11 and continue to evaluate other grade levels based on capacity and staffing. "Based on the enrollment projections and consultation with principal Pratt here at the high school, we currently anticipate opening school choice at the high school only," he said.
Committee members asked how choice was promoted (advertising, website notices and outreach were mentioned), whether middle‑school openings remain on the table and how cohort size fluctuations might affect staffing and budget decisions. Administration said it would return with more specific seat counts and promotion details before asking the committee to take a formal vote.
Next steps: administration will provide additional data on AP‑testing scheduling, promotion and specific recommended seat counts, and the school committee may vote on school choice at a subsequent meeting.
