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Committee approves train option for 8th-grade DC trip, signs off on field trips, transfers and facility use
Summary
The Blackstone-Millville School Committee unanimously approved the 8th‑grade Washington DC field trip using the train option, authorized three middle‑school trips, approved budget transfers, and granted facility-use requests including a fee waiver for the Blackstone Hometown Christmas event.
The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee on Oct. 29 approved several routine and calendar items, including travel, budget transfers and facility uses.
Field trips and travel: The committee voted unanimously to approve the eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip with the train option from Providence (the motion clarified that buses would still transport students in D.C.). The district presented two options to reduce bus time — bus vs. Amtrak — and cited schedule and cost tradeoffs; the board favored the train option. The committee also unanimously approved three middle-school trips: Nature’s Classroom (grade 6, Nov. 25), Museum of Science (grade 5, May 19), and Mystic Aquarium (grade 4, June 2). Trustees discussed past sanitary issues at one Nature’s Classroom site (bed bugs) and expressed interest in returning to overnight options where safe.
Budget and transfers: Kristen DiDonato, director of finance and operations, reported early FY26 trends and said current salary savings and grant awards have produced approximately $363,000 in net savings to date, while noting a January 2026 renewal will raise retired-benefits costs by about 17.03%. The committee voted unanimously to approve a set of budget transfers submitted by the business office.
Facilities, events and surplus: The committee approved multiple facility-use requests. It waived the usage fee and agreed to cover custodial/supervision charges for the Blackstone Parks & Rec hometown Christmas event on Dec. 13, approved BMR drama and BMMA event dates (with applicable custodian fees for Saturday events), and authorized disposal of surplus items (old audiology/hearing machines and audio meters).
Votes at a glance: The transcript records unanimous voice approvals for warrants, minutes, the eighth-grade trip (train option), middle-school trips, budget transfers, facility-use requests, and surplus disposal.
Ending: Committee business concluded with community announcements and the meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.
