Blackstone-Millville committee approves $500,000 for high-school feasibility study, certifies state revenue changes and OKs trip and grants

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee on Sept. 14 approved a package of actions moving a school-building feasibility study, budget adjustments and several programs forward.

The committee voted unanimously to appropriate $500,000 to pay costs of a feasibility study for a new Blackstone-Millville Regional High School, to be directed by the district's school building committee. The motion, which cites borrowing authority under MGL c.71, 16D and the district's regional agreement, was moved by Kerry and seconded by Tara and carried by voice vote.

Committee members explained the $1 million estimated study cost will be offset by $500,000 in district capital stabilization funds. The towns' shares disclosed to the committee are: Blackstone $373,050 and Millville $126,950, to be submitted on separate town warrants. Blackstone's town-meeting date was to be confirmed after that town's selectmen meeting; Millville's warrant vote was scheduled for Nov. 1.

Separately, the committee approved a motion instructing the district secretary to notify each member town's board of selectmen of the debt's amount and general purpose within seven days, as required by the regional agreement and MGL c.71, 16D.

On budget business, the committee unanimously approved recertification of the district's FY24 certified state revenues and outgoing charges (Chapter 70, charter reimbursements, regional transportation, school-choice tuition), a change the superintendent said results in a net increase of $92,901 to certified revenues compared with the district's earlier estimate.

The committee also approved several action items under routine business: a BMR High School study-abroad trip to Spain (proposed Feb. 14'1, 2025) and two grants. High-school Spanish teacher Gene Rydell presented the trip logistics and said the travel exposes students to cultures and experiences that they may or may not have before, opening their minds to different cultures and outlined minimum student counts, chaperone ratios and fundraising options. The committee approved the overnight field trip (motion by Tara; second by Kerry) and asked staff to provide updates on sign-ups and fundraising.

The business office reported two grant awards that the committee accepted: a middle-school "cell phone" grant for $14,674 to buy device-storage pouches, support staff PD and provide stipends; and a K
2 evidence-based early-literacy continuation grant for $56,825. Motions to accept the grants were made (cell-phone grant moved by Dan, seconded by Tara) and recorded as approved by unanimous voice vote.

Other routine facility-use and scheduling items were approved, and the committee moved into executive session at the end of the public meeting.

What happens next: the feasibility-study warrant language will be submitted to each town as described; staff will return with updates on trip participation and fundraising; the superintendent will present more detail on district goals at the Oct. 12 meeting.