Wachusett committee approves school choice for 2026–27 and adopts school calendar

The Wachusett Regional School District Committee voted to allow school choice for the 2026–27 school year and adopted the proposed school calendar after administration presented seat counts, enrollment context, and calendar timing.

Administration said school choice had been offered last year at WRHS only, with 25 seats each at grades 9 and 10 and 12 seats accepted in each grade so far. Superintendent Dr. Riley described last year’s rollout as successful: "I would say just honestly, it's an unqualified success," he said, urging the committee to allow the administration to determine eligible grades and seat counts for the coming year to give families more planning time.

The proposed 2026–27 calendar sets staff start on August 25 and students on August 26; administration noted some professional‑development dates are tied to town election days and that many PDs were moved from Wednesdays to Thursdays at the request of the teachers’ association. Committee members raised practical questions about offering seats in lower grades to preserve sibling placement and about potential AP exam schedule conflicts in May; administration said calendar adjustments could be made later if necessary.

Members then voted in separate roll‑call votes to authorize school choice (with grade and seat allocation to be determined by administration) and to adopt the 2026–27 school calendar as presented. Administration said it will continue to evaluate capacity across schools and grades before finalizing seat counts and will work with principals and town leaders to manage any timing conflicts.

Next steps: administration will return any finalized seat allocations and school‑level details to the committee and communicate the calendar and school‑choice options to families once seat determinations are made.