The meeting’s most pressing matter involved the need to adjust the district’s budget following recent modifications to Chapter 70 funding. Superintendent Kirk Downing emphasized the importance of addressing these changes and proposed that the budget and warrant subcommittee evaluate the necessary adjustments before presenting a recommendation to the full school committee. Two potential options for budget adjustment were identified, with the intent to analyze them to ensure compliance and efficacy. The superintendent also mentioned seeking guidance from a contracts attorney to ensure adherence to legislative processes, an approach aimed at safeguarding the district’s financial integrity.

Parallel to budget considerations, the district is undergoing two significant state monitoring reviews, which occur every six years. The tiered focused monitoring review from the Office of Language Acquisition and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) compliance review are underway. These reviews assess the district’s support for English learners and its compliance with federal student achievement and equitable access requirements, respectively. The superintendent assured the committee that while the reviews demand considerable documentation, they would not heavily burden school administrators, thus minimizing disruptions to daily operations.

The committee also deliberated on enhancing the effectiveness of the DearJ advisory committee by reducing its membership from eight to seven, a move aimed at overcoming quorum challenges that had previously led to meeting cancellations. The decision was approved unanimously after discussing the representation from the district’s three towns. Historically, Bolton has provided the majority of members, while Lancaster has been underrepresented. The committee expressed intent to achieve a more balanced representation across the towns, encouraging interested individuals to volunteer.

Additionally, the committee received updates on several district initiatives. The district calendar, praised for its user-friendly interface, was highlighted as a valuable tool for parents managing schedules across multiple schools. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s new MCCAST family portal was introduced, enabling families to access their child’s MCCAST scores securely.

The meeting also focused on the NOVA program’s continued participation in the Deeper Learning Implementation Network, which aims to enhance curriculum and foster collaborative learning among educators. Although the continuity of financial support through grants remains uncertain, past participation has yielded substantial benefits for both high school and middle school educators.

In terms of infrastructure, Kirk Downing provided updates on the new high school construction project. The committee is set to vote on the guaranteed maximum price at the next meeting, with solar panels and a baseball turf field being considered without increasing costs.