The meeting’s most pressing topic was the safety of the water supply at Millville Elementary School. Stephanie Burgess voiced her concerns during the public forum, questioning the decision to move students back into the school despite unresolved water quality issues. Burgess highlighted past problems, including a time when students were unable to wash their hands and relied on hand sanitizer due to safety concerns. She criticized the committee’s reliance on a new filtration system that she believed was insufficient, citing the system’s pilot status and the need for prolonged monitoring. Additionally, Burgess expressed worries about the health implications of bottled water and possible contamination with PFAS.

In response, Jennifer Gil, identified as a vice chair of the Board of Selectmen in Millville, addressed these concerns. Gil clarified that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass D) had never deemed the water unsafe for handwashing and assured the committee that the water tank had been properly cleaned and filled. She confirmed that bulk water had been introduced into the system, with over 5,000 gallons sourced from a Mass D-approved supplier. Gil emphasized ongoing bacteria testing and the robustness of current protocols, reassuring the audience that there had been no need for boil water advisories. Further, she plans for increased testing and sample collection as part of the filtration system’s pilot study.

The committee then shifted focus to the cell phone policy, another point of discussion. The committee deliberated on extending a pilot program initiated the previous year, which required students to store their cell phones in “phone jail” boxes during class to minimize distractions. The program had reportedly been well-received by both students and teachers. Despite some hesitation due to limited committee attendance, a motion to expand the program across all classrooms was passed unanimously. The policy allows students to use their phones during breaks, such as passing periods and lunch, while maintaining a distraction-free learning environment during class time.

Following the water and cell phone policy discussions, the committee turned its attention to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) update. A new building option, referred to as option 7.4, was proposed with an estimated cost of $196 million, projecting a timeline of approximately 30 months for completion. This proposal was deemed more feasible than other options, including a base repair plan and a renovation project, both of which were found lacking in terms of educational goals and safety considerations. The initial submission to the MSBA is expected by the end of August, with subsequent reviews scheduled.

The meeting also covered various logistical updates pertinent to the upcoming school year. The committee welcomed around 30 new staff members and plans for continued staff orientations. They also reviewed budget entries for fiscal year 2026, focusing on allocations for long-term debt and the feasibility study, which has already utilized $370,000 of a $500,000 stabilization fund. Discussions on staffing vacancies highlighted the need for positions such as ABA instructional assistants and the filling of long-term substitute roles.

In other updates, the committee discussed the homecoming community day. They also reviewed requests for facility use, approving events for local groups such as the Girl Scouts and Express Cheer, while navigating scheduling conflicts with existing sports practices.