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Parents point to registration, preschool space, costs and transportation as barriers to participation
Summary
Parents and the superintendent discussed barriers that keep students from participating in activities: kindergarten/preschool registration processes (now centralized), limited preschool space preventing full-day options, fees for trips and activities, and loss of late buses; the superintendent said the district is exploring creative solutions including a possible RTA partnership.
Parents at the session identified four recurring barriers to student participation: inconsistent registration processes (recently centralized), limited preschool capacity and no full-day preschool because of space constraints, costs for trips and extracurriculars, and the loss of late buses that made staying for after-school activities difficult.
The superintendent said registration had been inconsistent in the past and that the district "transitioned this year... to central registration" so new families now register at a single office and the schools then handle scheduling and placements.
On full-day preschool, the superintendent said the limiting factor is facility space and noted the district is in an early, multi-year Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process to study replacement options for the Emmy Small building; a new building could present opportunities to expand preschool offerings.
Parents raised money as a barrier for higher-grade activities, citing fees for trips, All-State tryouts, banquets and parking passes that add up for families with multiple children. One parent summarized, "money can be a real real issue" for participation despite boosters and fundraising efforts.
Transportation was a recurring concern: parents recalled that late buses previously helped students stay for immediate after-school activities and that driver shortages and budget constraints reduced service. The superintendent said he is exploring creative partnerships — including a possible stop at the high school with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority — to restore practical transportation options for high-school students.
The superintendent said the district faces budget constraints and cannot add buses immediately but will use the group as a sounding board for potential pilot partnerships and asked families to continue sharing ideas by email.
