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School committee approves 2026–27 school-choice plan, opens 39 seats
Summary
The Rockport School Committee unanimously approved the district's school-choice plan for 2026–27, authorizing up to 39 choice seats while noting no additional staff will be added and that the district reduced staffing and expenditures over the past three years.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the Rockport Public Schools’ recommended school-choice plan for the 2026–27 school year, which would open 39 choice seats across grades where capacity allows.
Superintendent Mark Branca told members the seats were proposed "within the current rotation of our staffing patterns" and emphasized the district has reduced staffing and expenditures in recent years: "We've actually cut 32 positions and $3,000,000 in 3 years' time," he said, noting that opening the seats would not increase staffing. After discussion and review of a historical overview of applications, a motion to approve the plan was moved, seconded and the committee voted all in favor.
The plan will be implemented within the district's class-size and staffing guidelines and the superintendent and staff will manage enrollment and seat allocation according to the approved plan.
