Wachusett committee agrees to explore process for West Boylston's regionalization request, directs chair to consult MARS

Members of the Wachusett Regional School District Committee discussed a Feb. 17 letter from the West Boylston School Committee asking to explore regionalization or other cooperative options. Member Poole introduced the item and outlined possible avenues including regionalization, tuition agreements and vocational options, and suggested pursuing grant funds for a feasibility study.

Committee members asked a range of questions about financial impacts (Chapter 70 state aid, hold-harmless status), logistics of integrating another town (geographic span and staffing), potential MSBA consequences and the motive behind West Boylston's outreach. Several members expressed caution about timing and the district's current workload; others said it is appropriate to gather information before ruling anything out.

Member Poole moved to invite the West Boylston chair to a meeting to answer questions; an amendment to invite only the chair passed, but the motion to invite the chair to a meeting later failed on roll call. Members then proposed an inquiry route: the committee voted to direct the chair to appoint two members to reach out to the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS) to identify an appropriate inquiry process around regionalization. That motion passed, with the chair abstaining because the chair was being assigned the appointment authority.

Members said the intent is to understand the proper process and next steps before committing to a feasibility study or public meeting; any further action would come after the appointed members report back with recommended next steps.