Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Chu said a new district logo and letterhead have started a slow rollout and a redesigned website is due April 1; she also announced a two‑hour hybrid community coffee on the next strategic plan and a free Tony Memmel concert for Jan. 26.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
During budget discussion the committee reviewed athletics fee data showing wide cost ranges across sports, learned athletics program costs total about $1.3M with roughly 44% subsidized by the general fund, and heard staff recommend a $25 across‑the‑board base fee increase for FY27 (except crew).
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The committee voted to approve Westford Academy’s 2026–27 Program of Studies after presentations from Principal Dan Toomey and Lauren Clark. The 105-page guide updates prerequisites, adds new courses and dual‑enrollment options, and formalizes an AP self‑study application and selection process.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The committee approved an updated competency-determination policy (P6128) to clarify how coursework outside Westford Academy (self‑study, dual enrollment) will be treated under WA’s competency rules and to meet DESE submission requirements, with an update to be posted alongside the Program of Studies.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
Faced with a Dec. 31 DESE deadline, the committee voted 5-1 to amend its policy-adoption schedule so the competency-determination policy can be voted at the first reading on Dec. 15 with a five-business-day public-comment period.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
Superintendent presented a FY27 $71.49M budget balanced with $176K in additional revolving-account offsets, modest subscription efficiencies and a small comp-reserve draw; staff warned those offsets arent sustainable and projected a FY28 shortfall of roughly $465K.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The Westford School Committee reviewed four-year MCAS data showing declines in some high-school metrics and writing scores. District leaders said cohort effects from COVID and lost intervention staff likely contributed and outlined curriculum and screening steps to address gaps.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The Westford School Committee heard an update that the Massachusetts School Building Authority will allow a feasibility study to examine three different elementary‑school configurations — replacement of Robinson, a combined Abbott and Robinson, or a three‑school consolidation including Day.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The district CPAC described outreach, weekly basic‑rights workshops and survey‑based recommendations; special‑education leaders reviewed newly opened programs (REACH, Compass, SAIL, Roots), community partnerships and staffing needs as the district looks to bring some students back from out‑of‑district placements.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Westford Public Schools
The Westford School Committee voted to adjust elementary and middle school start times to shorten bus staging windows; district staff will communicate changes to families and monitor route performance.