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Committee approves school‑choice limits for 2026–27, keeping sibling preference and continuity protections
Summary
The committee voted to continue school choice for grades K–10 for 2026–27 with caps (kindergarten slots per building, per-grade caps at elementary and middle levels, and up to 20 high‑school students total) and to allow previously admitted students to remain through grades 11–12.
The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee on May 20 approved its superintendent’s recommendation to continue school choice for the 2026–27 school year with specific caps and sibling preference.
Superintendent Dr. Marcus recommended continuing current practices and updating numerical caps at each level: a maximum of three kindergarten students per elementary school, two slots for grades 1–5 where applicable (subject to class-size limits), up to four middle‑school slots per grade at each building, and up to 20 total high‑school choice students. He emphasized that students already admitted through school choice may remain through high school, consistent with statute and past practice.
Committee members discussed the fiscal and operational implications, including how special‑education costs can affect net revenue from school‑choice students and how caps are designed to avoid creating new class sections. "It's a net gain this year," a finance comment from the meeting noted about the program’s contribution to the operating budget; members also emphasized protecting seats for siblings of current students.
The motion to approve school choice for K–10 with the described caps passed on a voice vote; the committee recorded the result and clarified that approved choice students who reach grades 11–12 may remain if already enrolled.
Why it matters: School choice affects enrollment, budget calculations, classroom staffing and DESE reporting. Committee members framed the caps as a way to capture revenue while avoiding unplanned instructional staffing costs.
What’s next: District staff will implement the admission caps and sibling preference procedures for the next enrollment cycle and return with related administrative language if needed.
