North Middlesex committee approves 2026–27 calendar, amends fiscal-reserve policy and enters executive session

The North Middlesex Regional School District School Committee on Jan. 29 approved the 2026–27 school calendar, adopted a revised fiscal-reserve policy and several other policy updates, and voted to enter executive session for personnel and contract negotiations.

Calendar: The committee approved a calendar that moves kindergarten screening from April to a three-day session in June to give teachers more time for observation-based screenings that include play and transition assessments. The change was presented by Dr. Reese (calendar lead) and adopted by roll-call vote; administration will notify families and update posted calendar documents.

Policy changes: The committee adopted an amended DIB fiscal-reserve policy that directs the district to review the current year's budget when the finalized end-of-year report shows an unexpended balance above $500,000. The committee asked the finance subcommittee to recommend how to apply the new policy operationally this year. The body also approved a package of policies (revolving funds, student activity accounts, cell phone/portable devices, student complaints and co-curricular/extracurricular activities) by roll-call votes.

Executive session: The committee moved into executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, section 21(a) for strategy sessions on negotiations with nonunion personnel (assistant business manager/business manager) and to act under authority related to executive-session minutes. The committee stated it would not reconvene in open session.

Representative quotes:

"We want to make sure we give families enough time to notify them of the change," said Dr. Reese when explaining why kindergarten screening is moving to June.

"When that report is finalized, if the end-of-year balance exceeds $500,000 it should trigger an examination of the current year's budget for any necessary adjustments," said Randy Rush introducing the DIB amendment.

Next steps: Administration will publish the revised calendar and screening logistics, finance will return a recommendation on how to implement the new DIB threshold, and the chair and superintendent will conduct the authorized executive session proceedings.