Committee approves 2024–25 grade reconfiguration after presentation on enrollment and staffing; nurses raise safety concerns

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee voted unanimously March 7 to approve a grade reconfiguration model that would place preschool–grade 3 together, grades 4–7 together and grades 8–12 together beginning with the 2024–25 school year.

Jill Gallerani, assistant superintendent and co‑presenter, told the committee the district system was originally built for “over 3,000 students” but current enrollment has stabilized “just over 1,500,” a gap that has driven the district to consider consolidation. She presented projected enrollments for the suggested model — roughly 480 students in preschool–3, 495 in grades 4–7 and 530 in grades 8–12 — and detailed anticipated staffing impacts tied to consolidation: a reduction of about 17.5 positions and roughly $1 million in supplies and materials reductions. The leadership team described how those reductions produce an operating budget the district can present to towns while aiming to preserve programming for students.

During public comment, Lisa Rounds, president of the Unit A Educators Association, urged the committee to preserve additional nursing staff, arguing that cuts to nursing positions would create safety and service risks. Rounds cited district nurse‑office visit counts and medication administration workload across buildings and said the 4–7 configuration would have the highest nurse‑office volume. “We think it’s in the best interest of the students to keep at least one more nursing staff,” Rounds said, noting staffing shortages and the difficulty of obtaining qualified nursing substitutes.

Committee members asked presenters how subs and floating coverage would work if a staff nurse called in sick. Officials said current coverage would be consolidated into fewer buildings and suggested a floater nurse based in the 4–7 building could respond across sites; they also noted the district would continue to pursue revenue changes and grant opportunities to address staffing needs.

The motion to approve the grade reconfiguration as presented (amended to specify it begins in 2024–25) was made by a committee member, seconded, amended and then approved unanimously. The committee’s vote concluded the public hearing on the reconfiguration and the group moved on to the FY25 budget public hearing.

The committee said it will continue stakeholder engagement, finalize staffing assignments if the change is implemented, coordinate transportation runs to separate younger and older riders, and hold tours and community meetings before moves occur.