Lee School Committee authorizes third kindergarten class, adds four school-choice seats with $100,000 staffing cap

The Lee School Committee voted on June 9 to use school-choice funding to staff a third kindergarten classroom for the 2026–27 school year and to open four additional school-choice seats, with a staffing-cost cap of $100,000.

Superintendent Shork told the committee the district currently has 41 students registered for kindergarten — “two very large kindergarten classrooms, a class of 20 and a class of 21 students,” and said the request would allow the district to plan staffing, scheduling and classroom space in advance. Mr. Richards formally moved the request, saying he wanted the committee to consider “using school choice funds to support an opening of a third kindergarten classroom with a teacher and a paraprofessional, as well as opening four additional school choice seats for next school year.” The motion was amended on the floor to set a “not to exceed $100,000” cap for staffing and was seconded.

Committee members discussed the district’s history of late, post‑school-year registrations — Shork noted prior years added five, seven and four students after school ended — and finance confirmed school-choice funds show a surplus after this year’s prior commitments, including $80,000 already used for a math curriculum. With that background, the committee approved the amended motion by voice vote.

The action aims to limit class sizes and give administrators time to arrange classrooms and hire staff before the start of the school year. The motion did not specify exact hiring timelines or the duration for which the seats will remain open; the committee flagged those implementation details for administrative follow-up.

What happens next: staff will prepare the staffing hires and budget adjustments needed to implement the additional classroom and seats, and the committee will receive updates as the hiring and scheduling proceed.