The potential closure of Pelum School emerged as a key focus, with community concern regarding the impact on students. The superintendent shared insights from a recent Pelum School meeting, highlighting the school’s severe financial troubles. Although a proposal was made to move sixth graders immediately, the superintendent advised against it. This recommendation was framed as part of a broader financial strategy that requires further deliberation.

The financial situation in Pelum was further elaborated upon, with a report indicating modest revenue growth, which leaves little room for increased school funding. A “flat budget situation” had been communicated to all town departments, meaning no budget increases over the previous year.

In response to these challenges, the idea of collaboration between Shutesbury and Pelum was considered, including the possibility of Pelum students attending Shutesbury under a tuition agreement. This option was deemed less complex than regionalization, which would involve creating a new school district and potentially rehiring staff. The committee expressed a desire to explore both models’ pros and cons, emphasizing the need for additional information before making any definitive decisions.

The urgency of the situation was noted, with parents reportedly anxious about the future of Pelum students. Acknowledging the presence of numerous parents at a previous meeting, the committee recognized their wishes for the current structure to remain intact. However, the importance of a collaborative approach was also highlighted, with an understanding that any changes would require input from various stakeholders, not just the school committee.

The idea of accepting additional students from Pelum was met with general approval, with Shutesbury parents indicating receptiveness to the influx. Discussions touched on the sustainability of Shutesbury’s school given the financial pressures faced by both towns.

In addition to the Pelum School discussion, the meeting addressed other topics. Budgetary concerns were a key focus, with updates on the maintenance budget and potential cuts. The committee considered whether using the maintenance budget for boiler repairs might limit the ability to address other maintenance needs. The Amoris Pelum representative reported on the nearing conclusion of the budget cycle and the potential impact of a substantial budget reduction on full-time equivalent positions.

The financial report also highlighted the complexities of local funding and the limited benefits of the “millionaires tax” for Shutesbury. A proposed budget increase of 6.32% was accepted, despite concerns about its impact on local taxes. The committee discussed the importance of clear communication with the public regarding the budget’s numerical impacts.

Administrative updates included a report from the superintendent, who noted recent events such as the pre-K open house and collaboration with the children’s network director. The superintendent also attended the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ winter meetings, where rural school funding and advocacy for sustainable funding were key themes.

Technological issues during the meeting prompted a discussion about Jamrog invoices related to boiler repairs. Concerns were raised about the handling of these invoices and whether they should be referred to capital planning. The need for a facilities manager position was introduced, with discussions on the potential for the role to be shared with another town.