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Rockport committee discusses ad hoc task force, targeted outreach as enrollment falls
Summary
Committee members said declining enrollment requires proactive, multi‑year community engagement; members discussed focus groups, MASC resources and a possible ad hoc task force to plan long‑term responses and outreach.
Members of the Rockport School Committee spent substantial time on Oct. 2 discussing how to engage the broader community about declining enrollment and the district’s long‑term viability.
Nicole Alteri, chair, and other members proposed separating two threads of work: (1) targeted outreach and listening to better understand community expectations, and (2) active efforts to garner support for district funding and sustainability. Several members suggested focus groups, targeted surveys and attendance at MASC regional meetings to learn what neighboring districts are doing.
Amy Oaks and other committee members suggested the committee could form an ad hoc task force or standing working group to develop a multi‑year plan and to coordinate with town boards (select board, finance committee, planning board) on topics that extend beyond the school committee’s legal authority. “I think we really need to do proactive Outreach… with different community groups,” one member said, adding that the work should be multi‑year, structured and transparent.
Members agreed they need legal guidance on what the school committee can and cannot do in proactive outreach and on campaign‑related limits. The superintendent offered to explore MASC resources and to propose a mid‑year workshop focused on long‑range planning and community engagement. The committee did not take formal votes on forming a task force at this meeting; members asked staff to return with options and legal guidance for next steps.
