READS collaborative seeks property in Norton for Deaf/hearing program; Middleborough notes modest tuition impact for its one student

Superintendent and committee members received an update from the READS collaborative that included strategic priorities, an anticipated fiscal surplus and a space challenge for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program.

The collaborative's executive leadership has submitted a non-binding letter of intent to explore purchase of a property in Norton that could provide a stable home for DHH services and develop transition programming for students ages 18 to 22, the superintendent said. READS currently houses DHH classrooms in Norton Public Schools and a high-school program at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School.

The superintendent said Middleborough currently has one student enrolled in the DHH program, and that projected tuition increases tied to the Norton purchase's costs would amount to about $7,000 for Middleborough's share. "It is about a $7,000 increase," the superintendent said, while noting the collaborative's executive director has offered to meet with the committee to provide more detail.

Committee members expressed support for finding stable space for a low-incidence program and noted logistical questions (transportation and classroom counts) that would be part of any feasibility analysis.

Next steps: READS leadership offered to meet with the committee to discuss the plan in greater detail; the committee said it would request additional cost and logistics information before taking further action.