Bridgewater‑Raynham votes to pause school choice for 2026–27, citing class‑size and budget strain
Loading...
Summary
The Bridgewater‑Raynham School Committee voted to withdraw from the school choice program for the 2026–27 school year, citing high class sizes and budget constraints; the superintendent recommended pausing new admissions despite the roughly $5,000 per‑student state payment because it does not cover full per‑pupil costs.
The Bridgewater‑Raynham Regional School Committee voted Wednesday to withdraw from the Massachusetts school choice program for the 2026–27 school year, pausing acceptance of new nonresident high‑school students amid concerns about class sizes and district finances.
Superintendent Ryan Powers told the committee the district currently has 27 school‑choice students on its rolls (24 attend during the school day) and receives approximately $5,000 from the state for each school‑choice pupil while the district’s per‑pupil expenditure is about $17,000. "If we were going to cap it at such a small number to make it reasonable... it's not going to be a windfall," Powers said, recommending the district pause new admissions for a year to avoid further pressuring classroom sizes and program offerings.
Committee member (and mover of the motion) Mister Fitzgibbons said the fiscal math drives concern about accepting more students. "The marginal cost of the pupil... we're paying the teacher the same amount," he said, arguing that fixed costs are spread across more students but that net fiscal effects at current per‑pupil reimbursements could be negative for the district.
After public comment and committee discussion about seniors, juniors and the district's current school‑choice caps (the committee had approved 15 ninth‑grade slots last year but only six ninth‑graders enrolled), Fitzgibbons moved to withdraw from school choice for 2026–27 citing high class sizes and budget constraints; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote (tally not specified in the transcript).
What the vote means
The vote applies to new admissions for the next school year only; students already admitted through school choice will remain enrolled and continue their high‑school careers in the district. Powers and committee members said the decision can be revisited if district conditions change.
Authorities and next steps
Committee discussion referenced Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 76, section 12b, the statute governing school choice and the procedures for withdrawing; the district will notify DESE of its vote and the reasons as required by law.
