Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
The superintendent said the School Building Committee expects to choose a preferred MSBA option next week, initiating schematic design, while town budget uncertainty and potential use of free cash pose risks to financing the towns portion of a school project.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
The Dracut School Committee voted to support the Board of Selectmen if they choose to apply for a state exemption from the MBTA Communities Act as an unfunded mandate, and asked the superintendent to prepare a memo outlining potential school-department cost impacts tied to proposed MBTA zoning overlays.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
The committee approved waivers to field JV teams for baseball, softball, boys lacrosse and girls lacrosse and heard that Dracut High School secured a $3,200 state grant to support financial-literacy programming.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
After a presentation and public comment, the Dracut School Committee voted to table a proposal to move all school start times 30 minutes later. Committee members cited mixed survey results, bus-driver shortages and childcare concerns; the administration had recommended a 30-minute districtwide shift as the only financially feasible option.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
The Dracut School Building Committee will vote March 19 on a preferred schematic design for the Campbell School and submit the recommendation to the Massachusetts School Building Authority; district leaders warned a failed town vote later could force the district to restart MSBA processes and forego tens of millions in state reimbursement.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
Dracut School Committee members opened a public hearing Monday, Feb. 24, on the proposed FY2025–26 Dracut Public Schools budget. Superintendent Steven Stone said state aid, enrollment shifts and sharply rising benefits — notably a projected ~19.94% increase in the district’s health insurance premiums — could erase available new state revenue and force difficult tradeoffs.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
During public comment at the Jan. 27 school committee meeting, resident Sarah Palling criticized district staffing, rising multilingual needs, and school climate at Greenmont; Eileen Ryan offered a contrasting comment praising specific staff members' professionalism.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
Dracut Public Schools superintendent told the school committee the states preliminary net school spending and foundation numbers point to a constrained, "level-service" budget for next year and urged continued work with town finance leaders and the committee.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
School staff and the building committee are preparing a multi-option submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that includes no-action, renovation/add, new building and phasing scenarios; officials outlined likely timelines for community vote and possible construction dates.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Dracut Public Schools
District officials said Jan. 13 that MSBA project work on Campbell/Greenmont is advancing with frequent meetings, and the superintendent outlined a compressed budget timeline tied to pending state aid figures.