Athol‑Royalston committee OKs lunch price bump, substitute pay changes; accepts resignation, appoints delegate

At its meeting, the Athol‑Royalston Regional School Committee approved several routine financial and personnel items including a rise in the adult lunch price and changes to substitute pay, and it handled a personnel vacancy and an appointment.

Nancy, presenting financial items, asked the committee to raise adult lunch prices from $4.50 to $5.28 per meal, citing an increase in the federal reimbursement rate; the committee approved the change. Nancy also recommended adjustments to substitute pay for fiscal year 2026, including lowering a specialized substitute pay rate from $270 per day to $200 per day to align with regional comparators. A prior memorandum of agreement that set higher temporary rates has expired.

Committee member Frank sought and secured a clarification that a $5 per‑year service increase for substitutes is discretionary, administered by the superintendent, and may total up to $20; the committee approved that clarification and then approved the revised substitute rates.

The committee accepted a resignation from Laura Robinson effective at the conclusion of the regular session and thanked her for her service. The motion to accept the resignation carried with one abstention noted (Bobby). The superintendent described the standard process for advertising the vacant school‑committee seat and collecting letters of interest; the committee plans to consider appointments in September.

The committee also appointed Bobby Newman as the district delegate to the MASCASS annual conference; that appointment passed unanimously.

The committee closed the open‑session agenda and moved to take a brief break before proceeding to an executive session to hear a grievance.