The district has experienced a reduction of 34 positions, resulting in higher class sizes across elementary and high school levels. Kindergarten classes are reaching sizes of 26 to 27 students, and some elementary classes could see as many as 35 students. This increase in class sizes was attributed to a growing student population, reportedly increasing by 100 students each year, without corresponding staffing levels to accommodate this growth.

The administration acknowledged the strain on resources and emphasized their commitment to maintaining educational quality despite these challenges. The impact of staffing reductions was most pronounced in the elementary grades, where maintaining lower class sizes had been a priority. However, this focus has come at the expense of high school staffing, leading to concerns about adequate support for older students.

High school classes have reportedly been cut by approximately 40, affecting students’ ability to meet graduation and college readiness requirements. Many seniors are now facing schedules with two study halls, which is considered unsatisfactory. The administration highlighted the importance of foundational grades but acknowledged the need for resources to support high school students effectively.

Another concern was the potential implications of losing proctors and support staff, particularly during flu season or teacher absences. Questions were raised about how the district would manage increased class sizes during such times. There was also an increase in withdrawal requests, especially for homeschooling, which could further impact enrollment stability.

In response to these challenges, the administration plans to update families on enrollment and staffing information following a review of enrollments and withdrawals. The committee recognized the importance of transparency and communication in addressing these issues, with a request for contextual data comparing current class sizes to previous years and statewide averages.

The committee also discussed the fiscal year 2024 audit, which yielded an unmodified opinion with no deficiencies. The audit, presented by Renee Davis from CBI CPA, suggested minor improvements in cash account reconciliations and student activity accounts. The clean audit was reassuring but highlighted areas for potential improvement.

The meeting also included updates on federal grant allocations for the fiscal year 2026 budget, noting increases in Title I funds for reading and math services in Title I schools. However, there was a slight decrease in the Title IV grant for technology and mental health initiatives. The committee acknowledged the necessity of these grants for specific educational services.

Additionally, updates were provided on staffing and class sizes across various schools. At Mitchell Elementary School, kindergarten class sizes averaged 26 students, while Williams Intermediate School experienced an average of 28.3 students in grades four and five due to the loss of two teaching positions. Odon Middle School faced class sizes in the low thirties following a reduction of three positions.

In Raynham, kindergarten classes averaged 26.8 students following the loss of two positions. La Liberty saw class sizes reach 31.3 in grade three after losing two positions. The high school faced the most significant impact, with a total reduction of 21 positions due to retirements, transfers, and layoffs, resulting in an overall class size average of 30.1 in the middle schools.

Concerns were raised about the administrative burden on remaining staff, with specific mention of the loss of an administrative assistant for transportation.

The committee also addressed the superintendent’s evaluation process and proposed goals for student learning and district improvement. Feedback was incorporated into the goals, which received approval for a mid-year review in February.

In other business, the committee approved a series of contracts, including a three-year contract with Core Technologies for printer services and a renewal with PowerSchool for the student information system. Concerns were expressed about performance guarantees, data security, and service reliability with PowerSchool.

Lastly, the committee reviewed policy updates, including student fees and the community use of facilities. There was a focus on ensuring policies reflect current practices and district needs, particularly regarding the introduction of therapy dogs by the Bridgewater Police Department as part of their outreach program.