A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing the unexpected rise in special education costs, which have surpassed initial estimates due to unforeseen student needs and transportation costs. Jack Higgins, providing an update on the FY26 budget, explained that the district had to tap into circuit breaker funds, which had not been planned for this year. To mitigate these financial challenges, the district intends to apply for extraordinary relief, a step that underscores the urgency of the situation. This financial strain emphasizes the district’s need to carefully manage resources while continuing to support its special education programs effectively.

Infrastructure issues also took center stage, particularly concerning the Grace Pool. An engineering assessment conducted by Aquatica Pools Inc. identified several problems, including the need to replace the filtration system, reconstruct the pool deck, and upgrade safety features to meet current codes. The pool’s condition was described as fair to poor, raising concerns about the long-term financial implications of restoring the facility to operational condition. The pool subcommittee is set to meet soon to further discuss these issues and evaluate the costs associated with the current outsourced rental of pool facilities. An initial report is expected by January, with a report due by April.

The meeting also highlighted the resignation of a committee member, Crystal L., who cited family and work obligations as reasons for stepping down. Her resignation, dated October 21, 2025, will necessitate a vote to fill her position. This change in the committee’s composition comes at a time when the district is facing multiple challenges.

In terms of student performance, the committee reviewed updates to handbooks to ensure compliance with Massachusetts General Law, particularly regarding student suspensions and educational service plans. The need for these updates was apparent, as certain handbooks, specifically those for younger students, were missing crucial sections. The board received full copies of the updated handbooks, with plans for a vote on their approval during the meeting. These handbook updates will be communicated to parents via the Ripple report and made available online.

The superintendent’s performance was also a key agenda item, with a subcommittee having recently conducted a formative assessment of her progress toward established goals. The assessment, which included a publicly available rubric, revealed that the superintendent is progressing well in her professional practice goal of developing a multi-year budget projection process. Recommendations were made concerning her performance, and the committee expressed confidence in her efforts, particularly in developing equitable hiring and personnel management processes. The superintendent received a proficient rating for her management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture, supported by evidence of her proactive budgeting and community involvement.

Educational achievements were not overlooked, with a presentation on MCCAST results showing Freetown Lakeville students outperforming the state average in several areas, particularly in math. Emphasis was placed on understanding student progress relative to previous years’ results, with notable improvements in middle school programming. However, Dr. Starky raised concerns about a sentiment among students and community members that certain tests, such as the MCCAST, lack value. She stressed the importance of reinforcing the significance of these assessments, particularly for scholarship opportunities, and plans to engage with principals and students to address this issue.

Additional discussions covered the district’s successful application for a $14,000 planning and implementation grant aimed at developing a college and career planning scope and sequence for grades 6-12. This funding will support staff release time, site visits, and marketing materials, with a team of administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers involved in this initiative.