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School Committee approves 25 school‑choice openings; Grade 9 vote splits 4–3
Summary
The committee voted April 8 to accept 25 school‑choice openings for 2026–27 (Grade 6: 5 spots; Grade 9: 15 spots, 4–3; Grade 10: 5 spots). The superintendent will review how many incoming school‑choice students have IEPs or 504 plans.
The Newburyport School Committee voted April 8 to approve 25 school‑choice openings for the 2026–27 school year, with members split on the largest allocation in Grade 9.
Superintendent Sean Gallagher presented recommendations for school choice openings and the committee approved the following: five spots in Grade 10 (unanimous), five spots in Grade 6 (unanimous), and 15 spots in Grade 9. The Grade 9 motion, made by Breanna Higgins and seconded by Juliet Walker, passed 4–3. Voting yes were Breanna Higgins, Kathleen Shaw, Lauren Eramo and Vice Chair Juliet Walker; Andrew Boger, John Ricci and Mayor Sean Reardon voted no.
Committee members discussed current resident versus school‑choice enrollment and asked the superintendent to examine how many Grade 9 school‑choice students have Individualized Education Programs or 504 plans; that analysis was not yet in the record. Public commenters — including Nicholas Prendergast and an emailed statement from Ward 3 City Councilor Brian Callahan — expressed support for school choice as a revenue source and to keep families connected to the district.
Why it matters: School‑choice tuition payments are an ongoing source of revenue that affect program capacity and budgeting. The committee’s split vote on Grade 9 indicates differing member views about balancing resident enrollment, programming capacity and revenue.
What’s next: The Superintendent will report back with information about IEP/504 counts among school‑choice students as part of ongoing enrollment monitoring.
