16:10The superintendent expressed disappointment over the situation, attributing the revocation of the grant to the town’s failure to meet state law requirements. However, a communication from DESE in February warned of pending further approval, culminating in the final notification on February 24 that the grant would not be funded.

The loss of this grant poses significant challenges for the district, as it must now cover related expenses from its own budget, impacting the projected surplus for future use. A committee member described the situation as “outrageous,” noting that funds had already been allocated based on the grant’s approval. In response, a motion was made for the school committee to collaborate with the select board and other local leaders to draft a formal response to the state government, addressing the grant rescission. The motion was seconded and discussions ensued about mobilizing community support and contacting state representatives to express dissatisfaction with the state’s decision. There is concern that similar compliance issues could risk the loss of other discretionary grants, further affecting the district’s funding for critical programs.

32:29Besides the financial concerns, the committee addressed other topics. The superintendent provided an update on the fiscal year 2026 budget, highlighting infrastructure improvement requests, including paving at HBB and MKG, approved by the Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC). The committee also discussed the need to revisit the request for switches at NMS, which will be reconsidered at the fall town meeting.

48:15Additionally, the meeting covered the implications of the Reads Collaborative’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program. The collaborative plans to purchase property in Norton to address the need for additional classroom space, as the current rental agreement with Norton Public Schools cannot accommodate the rising enrollment. The projected cost of the property will result in a slight tuition increase for the DHH program, although Middleborough currently has only one student in this program.

The meeting also addressed student services, with updates from the Director highlighting the growth of the department and ongoing initiatives to improve educational support. This includes partnerships for clinical professional development and enrollment in the PBIS Academy to enhance positive behavioral interventions. A comprehensive mental health system for crisis management has been established, alongside interventions for school avoidance and substance use.

1:44:33The committee discussed the restructuring of the Community Evening School program to address compliance issues with the Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) requirements. The program had been incorrectly classified as an adult education program and failed to meet the state requirement of 990 instructional hours for a high school diploma. Consequently, tuition fees for Middleborough residents have been eliminated, and enrollment of out-of-district students has been discontinued. The program’s restructuring aims to align with state expectations, potentially enhancing vocational and career services to better serve students requiring alternative educational pathways.

1:04:01The meeting concluded with updates on various community outreach initiatives, including the role of the Outreach Counselor and the Family Resource Center in supporting families in need. Efforts to address mental health and substance use issues through partnerships with organizations like Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC) were emphasized. The upcoming third annual Cooler Middleborough Fair was also highlighted, focusing on renewable energy resources and home efficiency, with activities aimed at engaging community members and educating them about sustainability.