The discussion on class size guidelines took center stage, with the committee examining the proposed caps of 22 students in grades K-2 and 25 students in grades 3-8. The committee sought to balance the need for smaller class sizes with the constraints of the budget, considering the potential need to hire additional teachers due to increased enrollment over the summer. The debate touched on whether the budget should determine class size or vice versa, with the goal of aligning the policy with the community’s educational priorities.

Further, the committee explored the historical context of school sections and the need for clarity in the criteria for designating schools as two or three-section schools. Members also discussed the impact of shifting school populations and the flexibility required in the policy to support school leaders in decision-making regarding class sizes.

The MOU with the Select Board regarding the use of a building for after-school activities was another focal point of the meeting. Committee members expressed unease with the restrictive language of the agreement, which limited after-school programming and specified exceptions only for certain events. The lack of clarity on this issue prompted a debate, with calls for language that would protect the full range of student after-school activities, including homework clubs and other essential services.

Additionally, the committee addressed concerns regarding the allocation of classrooms and parking spaces in the context of moving into a new building. The lack of updated maps and documents, particularly concerning 8th-grade classrooms and parking information, led to a decision to postpone the vote on the MOU until the next meeting. Members underscored the importance of having complete and consistent documentation before casting their votes.

In other business, the committee approved a $56,000 grant for the implementation of a Civics teaching curriculum for K-2 and accepted gifts for various school programs. A financial update was provided, revealing a projected deficit of around $400,000, with the expectation that the final numbers could potentially improve. The committee planned to reconvene to offer more detailed reports on the financial status.