School committee approves $500,000 for MSBA feasibility study, adopts policy updates and accepts small foundation grant
December 14, 2023 | Blackstone-Millville, School Boards, Massachusetts
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The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee took multiple formal actions at its Dec. 14 meeting, including a $500,000 appropriation for an MSBA feasibility study, policy approvals and a grant acceptance.
On a motion read into the record, the committee voted unanimously to appropriate $500,000 from the district’s capital stabilization fund to pay costs of a feasibility study for the regional high school building project at 175 Lincoln Street in Blackstone. The motion referenced M.G.L. c.71, §16G½ and MSBA procedural language; committee members noted that the full feasibility effort will involve matched funds and that any costs above an eventual MSBA award would be the district’s responsibility.
The committee also approved a set of policy revisions presented by the policy subcommittee, including consolidated curriculum development/adoption policies, a civil‑rights complaint policy for child nutrition programs, and a new policy to require prior notification of surveys or research administered to students with an opt‑out option. Members requested a minor edit to correct a cross‑reference in the motion language.
Separately, the committee unanimously accepted a $6,750 BAR Foundation grant to fund a learning excursion for high‑school leaders and instructional staff. The superintendent said the grant requires no district match and will cover travel and research activities to inform instructional strategy.
Other procedural items handled at the meeting included unanimous approval of the consent agenda (warrants and Nov. 2 minutes), declassification of select executive session minutes, and three use‑of‑facility requests. Committee votes were recorded as unanimous for these agenda items.
What’s next: the MSBA process will continue with enrollment confirmation and additional deliverables; the committee noted MSBA timelines that could lead to OPM selection by late summer and asked administration to report back on any changes to projected costs or grant expectations before final design approvals.
On a motion read into the record, the committee voted unanimously to appropriate $500,000 from the district’s capital stabilization fund to pay costs of a feasibility study for the regional high school building project at 175 Lincoln Street in Blackstone. The motion referenced M.G.L. c.71, §16G½ and MSBA procedural language; committee members noted that the full feasibility effort will involve matched funds and that any costs above an eventual MSBA award would be the district’s responsibility.
The committee also approved a set of policy revisions presented by the policy subcommittee, including consolidated curriculum development/adoption policies, a civil‑rights complaint policy for child nutrition programs, and a new policy to require prior notification of surveys or research administered to students with an opt‑out option. Members requested a minor edit to correct a cross‑reference in the motion language.
Separately, the committee unanimously accepted a $6,750 BAR Foundation grant to fund a learning excursion for high‑school leaders and instructional staff. The superintendent said the grant requires no district match and will cover travel and research activities to inform instructional strategy.
Other procedural items handled at the meeting included unanimous approval of the consent agenda (warrants and Nov. 2 minutes), declassification of select executive session minutes, and three use‑of‑facility requests. Committee votes were recorded as unanimous for these agenda items.
What’s next: the MSBA process will continue with enrollment confirmation and additional deliverables; the committee noted MSBA timelines that could lead to OPM selection by late summer and asked administration to report back on any changes to projected costs or grant expectations before final design approvals.
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