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Oyster River board approves 2025–2033 Bearington tuition agreement
Summary
The Oyster River Cooperative School District School Board approved a renewed tuition agreement with Bearington, shortening the proposed term from 10 to eight years and clarifying special-education service language; the board approved the agreement during its Jan. 2 meeting and scheduled signatures.
The Oyster River Cooperative School District School Board on Jan. 2 approved a renewal of the tuition agreement with Bearington covering the 2025–2033 period.
Superintendent Robert presented the agreement and said Bearington requested reducing the contract term from the initially discussed 10 years to eight to better align with its contract cycles; the board discussed clarifying language about how special-education services and staffing would be provided under the partnership. Robert said the districts had “good conversations” about the language and that the revisions preserve flexibility around program prescriptions while reflecting the lived experience of delivering services.
Board members also discussed adjusting the tuition-setting mechanism to more accurately tie increases to the high school enrollment and costs rather than a district-wide number; Robert said the change is intended to make high-school tuition calculations more precise.
A motion to approve the 2025–2033 Bearington tuition agreement carried; the board voted (board members recorded six in favor) and the student representative also voted in favor. The administration will circulate the agreement for signatures, as noted during the meeting.
Why it matters: The agreement governs inter-district tuition and services—particularly special-education staffing and tuition-setting—affecting enrollment planning and budgeting. The superintendent said the districts also foresee potential enrollment growth that could raise total enrollment from roughly 200 toward 260 students over time.
Next steps: The signed agreement will be circulated among board members and administrators for execution, and the board will continue discussions with Bearington about curriculum alignment and preparatory coursework for incoming students.
