Simultaneously, the committee considered a proposal for a new private school by Rich Odell and Andrew Williams of the Masters Academy International. They sought approval for the school, which plans to cater to students with language-based learning differences. The school, backed by a $103 million investment from Cognita, aims to eventually enroll between 700 to 800 students, including boarders from various regions. Concerns were raised about Cognita’s history of school closures in the UK, prompting questions about potential educational disruptions should the company’s financial strategies change. The curriculum is designed to support students interested in sports, offering academic programs and personal development pathways in non-playing sport professions such as sports medicine and psychology.

The committee also discussed the school choice framework, with a particular focus on enrollment trends and the implications of maintaining open choice. The application process was outlined, with key dates set for May, and the impact of school choice on freshman enrollment was debated. Adjustments to the number of slots available for incoming ninth graders were considered, balancing financial impacts and classroom sizes. The committee examined the broader enrollment landscape, noting a steady participation rate in town regional enrollment and a slight uptick in charter school enrollments post-pandemic.

Additionally, the meeting touched on curriculum concerns, particularly the perceived lack of academic challenge for students in grades K through 8, which has led some parents to consider private schooling. The committee discussed developing a questionnaire to better understand public sentiment and the reasons behind families leaving the district. The discussion included the proposal labeled “four H,” with considerations on staffing and the potential increase in student numbers following an upcoming lottery.