The meeting opened with public comments, where notable concerns were raised about the speed of the new SOI submission and the need for improved communication with the towns on the matter. One individual, Bernard Cullen from Rowley, specifically urged the committee to reconsider the 1967 agreement to avoid a repetition of the previous proposal’s significant defeat. Mayor Cassandra Glove of Amesbury brought up the idea of introducing fees for extracurricular athletic participation to establish parity with other communities and to contemplate the SOI’s implications on enrollment and curriculum alignment with other schools.

Following public comments, a discussion unfolded regarding the collection of extracurricular activity fees, focusing on the financial burden it might impose and the potential deterrent effect on student participation. Subsequently, the committee moved on to approve the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2425. The budget included various functions such as the teacher aid budget, guidance budget, insurance for retired school employees, operating budget, and capital assessment to the communities.

In addition to these fiscal matters, the committee discussed the possible expansion of technical education programs and the impact of increasing enrollment at the school. Opinions were mixed on this issue, with some members concerned about the financial ramifications and the effects on the existing member cities and towns. Despite these concerns, the committee acknowledged the superintendent and her team’s efforts in submitting the SOI to the MSBA, which could potentially usher in additional revenue.

The meeting also addressed a recent incident that forced the school to close due to a vehicle hitting a fire hydrant and causing water issues. This event segued into discussions about the regional agreement and enrollment policies, especially concerning the fairness of the admissions policy and the potential partnership with Northern Essex Community College to enhance vocational program access for students.

Reporting on the school’s various sports and club activities highlighted the active participation and achievements of students across diverse interests, from athletics to the arts. The superintendent provided updates on meetings and events attended, such as those related to the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, among other conferences and meetings.

Further discussions included the approval of the school calendar for 2024-2025 and an analysis of the school’s budget variances, noting the account surpluses and deficits. The Educational Foundation’s trivia night fundraiser was announced, while it was noted that the Kentucky Derby event would not take place.

Policy considerations were on the agenda as well, with the policy subcommittee presenting several policies for second and final reading, along with policies for the first reading. The instructional personnel subcommittee reviewed elective courses for juniors and seniors.

The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the next regular school committee meeting for May 8th at 6:30 p.m., and the next plan operations meeting set to take place at 6 p.m. A motion to adjourn was made and approved, wrapping up the discussions for the session.