Committee approves early retirement incentive, authorizes MOA talks and posts athletic director job; amends school calendar

At its April 11 meeting the Blackstone‑Millville school committee approved several administrative measures intended to support upcoming operational changes.

The committee authorized an early retirement incentive for Unit A (educators) and Unit C (support staff). Administration reported a districtwide analysis that estimated a potential liability of about $500,000 if many eligible employees accepted the incentive; a small number of employees have already declared intent to retire and will have crosswalks applied so incentives are not doubled.

The committee also authorized Superintendent Jason DeFalco to negotiate a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with bargaining units to handle operational changes tied to grade reconfiguration — matters such as staggered bus tiers and start/end times. The measure passed unanimously.

Members approved a revised job description for a 12‑month, non‑union director of athletics and student life, adding requested language on uniform inventory and transportation coordination; the district will post the position pending budget confirmation.

Separately, the committee voted to amend the 2023–24 school calendar to reflect two used snow days and to set the final day of school to Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Next steps: administration will circulate details to staff, post the athletics position, and begin MOA negotiations with bargaining units ahead of the reconfiguration timeline.