School committee adopts 2026–27 family and student handbook; cell-phone policy may be resolved separately

The North Middlesex Regional School District School Committee voted to adopt the 2026–27 family and student handbook after a comprehensive legal review by district counsel Michael Joyce and Patrick Nevins and input from building staff.

Superintendent Morgan explained that attorney edits are shown in red and that high school-driven edits (notably attendance and student-records items) are highlighted. "Anything in red is coming from our attorney," Morgan said. Principal Smith noted the reintroduction of a high-school makeup policy and explained that the handbook includes several changes driven by recent changes in state law. The committee discussed whether to bundle a separate cell-phone policy with the handbook changes; members agreed that if the separate policy failed, the handbook would be revised later and brought back for a formal vote. The motion to adopt the handbook carried by roll call with one abstention.

Chair and staff indicated the handbook's membership page will be updated and that any revisions required by a failed cell-phone policy would be handled transparently in a future vote.