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Parents press district for answers after chart shows New Marlborough third-grade at zero
Summary
Parents and PTA members urged the Southern Berkshire Regional School District for clear answers and transparency after a packet chart listed no third-grade seats at New Marlborough; Superintendent Dr. Rip said staffing and budget timing mean a final decision is pending and families will be notified.
Kristen Mallerie, a parent at New Marlborough Central School, told the Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee on June 15 that a chart in the meeting packet listing “0” for next year’s third-grade enrollment at New Marlborough left families alarmed and asking whether the district plans to eliminate the grade.
"I am deeply concerned about the future of New Marlborough School in light of the decisions that have been made with respect to staffing and budget cuts," Mallerie said during public comment, and she asked the committee for “clarity” and transparent communication to families. She offered that the PTA could potentially fund a paraprofessional salary to help retain students.
Superintendent Dr. Rip said the figure appeared on a school-choice projection chart as part of FY27 budget planning and that the district is still finalizing assignments. "There are five students that are on our roster for next year," Dr. Rip told the committee, adding that staff and the union are meeting and that any decision will be communicated to families, faculty and the committee.
Several committee members and parents said the way the projection was presented—on a chart in a packet—felt like a surprise and damaged trust. Elizabeth Evans, a Monterey parent, said families feel shut out and urged that choices affecting a small school’s grade structure be discussed with the full committee and community before being presented as a projection.
Committee members pressed for clarity on procedure. Kim asked whether grade and school changes historically came before the full committee; others recalled prior instances when grade reconfigurations were brought to the committee for discussion before action. Dr. Rip emphasized the projection’s preliminary status and said the district is following negotiated procedures for assignments and involuntary transfers.
The public comment period and committee discussion ended without a final substantive decision; Dr. Rip said he would notify affected families and the committee when assignments are finalized and that the leadership team and the union would be part of next steps.
What’s next: The district will complete assignment decisions after the leadership team meeting and bargaining sessions. Families asked the committee to provide clearer, earlier communications on any enrollment or staffing changes that would affect their children.
