Rockland School Committee approves daycare and after-school rate increases, school-choice closures and other business

At its April 27 meeting the Rockland School Committee took a series of operational votes and approved several routine items by voice vote.

Daycare and before/after rates: The committee approved a rate increase for the Rockland Daycare program for 2026–27 and an accompanying enrollment-policy change to eliminate week‑to‑week varied schedules. Approved classroom hourly increases (as presented) were: infants +$1.50/hour, tots (ages 1–2) +$1.25/hour, and preschool/pre‑K +$1.00/hour. Separately, the committee approved a $0.50/hour increase for the before‑and‑after‑school program. Administrators said market comparisons were provided and that the district remains at or below local private providers for many age groups. The transcript does not record a roll-call or numeric vote tally for these approvals.

School choice: The committee voted to request that the district close school-choice enrollment for four grades for 2026–27: kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 7, citing current enrollment levels and staffing changes. Committee members were advised that closed grades remain closed for the year; the district can close additional grades later if required by enrollment.

Fundraising and calendar items: The committee approved a can‑and‑bottle drive by the Rockland High School National Honor Society in partnership with the Rockland‑Hanover Rotary Club scheduled for May 16 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.). The committee also set the last day of preschool and kindergarten for June 17, 2026. Town meeting on May 4 at 7 p.m. at Rockland High School was announced; free childcare will be available starting at 6:30 p.m.

All the items above were approved by motion and voice vote; the transcript records the approvals but does not record numerical tallies or named movers/seconders.