Quabbin school committee votes to forward updated regional agreement to member towns

The Quabbin Regional School District School Committee voted Dec. 11 to forward a finalized draft of the updated regional agreement to the five member towns and their select boards for consideration at town meeting.

Committee members reported the working group had updated language, addressed concerns about pre-K eligibility language and obtained preliminary approval from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The motion to submit the draft to member towns was moved and seconded; the committee then recorded a roll call vote with members voting in favor.

The superintendent explained the next steps: Jess (district staff) will distribute the draft to select boards and towns will include the item on their annual town meeting warrants if they choose; DESE retains final approval authority after the towns vote. The current regional agreement remains in place until towns and the commissioner take final action.

Committee members emphasized outreach to town voters and indicated they would offer focus groups and meetings to explain the draft before town votes. The committee did not change the document at the meeting beyond minor edits and the vote to send it to towns.