Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Choice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School Committee approves school choice lottery rules, raises K–2 class cap to 22
Summary
The Leominster School Committee approved school choice guidelines for FY2027, including an increase in classroom size caps for kindergarten and early grades to 22 and confirmation that admissions will use a blind lottery; the committee noted last year’s 262 school-choice acceptances and clarified wait-list procedures.
The Leominster School Committee voted to approve the district’s school choice guidelines for Fiscal Year 2027, adopting adjustments to the kindergarten and lower-grade classroom caps and confirming admissions procedures.
District staff explained the program will continue to run as a blind online lottery and noted that kindergarten and first-grade classroom capacities are now set at 22 students per class. "It's a blind lottery," a staff presenter said while describing admissions and wait-list procedures; the presenter also said last year the district accepted about 262 students through school choice.
Committee members asked how the district handles moving students and mid-year changes; staff said applications are accepted throughout the year and families are placed on wait lists when seats are not available, with calls made to families when seats open based on the lottery order. The committee approved the motion to adopt school choice rules by voice vote.
Staff said Jenny Allen manages ongoing school choice processes and that enrollment thresholds will determine if the district opens seats during the year. The committee encouraged clearer public communication about timelines and seat counts so families understand that moving to the district does not automatically guarantee a seat.
