School committee approves consent agenda, receives Kittredge update and hears public calls for an override

The North Andover School Committee approved its consent agenda, including minutes for Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 15. Following routine business, the committee received an update on the Kittredge Elementary School building project and several first-read items, and heard public comments urging a long-term funding solution.

Kittredge update: the Kittredge School Building Committee reported that the schematic design was submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and that the project is on a preliminary budget. The committee expects MSBA feedback over the next weeks and will receive a report on ineligible square footage on Jan. 29. The committee advised that the Town Meeting article will request debt authorization that, under current assumptions, would be financed with a 30-year bond carrying approximately $3,000,000 per year; no debt-exclusion vote is anticipated under current assumptions.

New business and calendar items: the committee took a first read of an overnight robotics trip to Colorado Springs and asked staff to provide additional trip details; it also accepted the North Andover High School program of studies for a first read with no proposed substantive changes. The committee reminded the public of three community chats (Jan. 12, Jan. 17 and Jan. 26) and a budget public hearing on Jan. 15 at the senior center. Town Meeting is scheduled for May 12.

Public comment: residents voiced support for an override rather than relying on short-term circuit-breaker carryover. Juliette Damond told the committee that "this million and a half is not getting us anywhere to what we lost last year" and offered community support for an override campaign; other speakers echoed that sentiment and urged quicker action to address student outcomes.

Closing: the committee adjourned by unanimous voice vote.