Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Choice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orange school committee hears strong opposition to opening School Choice seats
Summary
At a public hearing, parents and community members urged the Orange Elementary School Committee not to open School Choice seats for 2026-27; committee members expressed concern about unknown special-education costs and fiscal risk but recorded no formal vote to open or close seats.
Mallory Ellis, chair of the Orange Elementary School Committee, opened a public hearing on School Choice for the 2026–27 school year and reviewed the program’s fiscal mechanics: "for each School Choice seat filled, Orange receives approximately $5,000 per student," she said, and "if an Orange student chooses another district under School Choice the district loses $5,000; if they attend a virtual school, the loss increases to $13,189.00."
Public commenters raised concerns about services and class size. Denise Andrews asked whether special-education costs would be additional to the $5,000 per pupil the district receives for incoming School Choice students; Michele (district staff member) replied that Orange would pay for any special-education services required by incoming School Choice students. Karen Perkins urged the committee not to accept School Choice students, saying the district “cannot be the ‘yes school’” and arguing that students come seeking intensive supports such as one-on-one paraprofessionals.
Committee members described the decision as a fiscal gamble. Mallory Ellis said the district cannot predict which students would apply or whether they would require services and advocated not opening any School Choice seats for next year. Crystal Clarke said she was also not in favor of opening seats. Josefa Scherer said she was considering how many seats would be needed to replace Orange students who leave and suggested, if any seats were opened, limiting them to younger grades. The committee did not record a final vote or formal policy change during the hearing.
Why it matters: School Choice decisions affect classroom size and district revenue. With the per-student payment and potential additional special-education costs in tension, committee members framed the choice as a budgetary risk rather than an immediate program expansion. The hearing closed at 6:38 p.m.; the committee may address openings or a formal vote in a future session.
What to watch next: Any motion to open School Choice seats, grade-specific proposals, or a formal vote would be reported in committee minutes and future agendas.
