Rockport School Committee approves 39 school‑choice seats for 2026–27

The Rockport School Committee voted unanimously March 4 to approve the district’s recommended school‑choice plan for the 2026–27 school year, opening 39 seats. Amy Oakes, chair of the Rockport School Committee, called for the motion and the committee approved the plan after members reviewed a historical overview of applications and enrollments.

Superintendent Mark Branca told the committee the choice seats were opened within current staffing patterns and would not require new hires. “We’re not leveraging school choice on the backs of adding staff,” Branca said, noting the district cut positions and operating dollars in recent years while still keeping openings within class‑size targets. The district’s historical data show variability in fill rates: prior years opened 33 seats and filled 26 in FY26, while a larger initial opening filled far fewer in earlier years, which the leadership used to calibrate this year’s recommendation.

Committee discussion focused on preserving best‑practice class sizes at transition grades (kindergarten, 6th, 9th) and ensuring openings did not push classrooms over intended capacity. The motion to approve the 2026–27 school‑choice plan passed with an aye vote recorded by the chair.