PEMBROKE - October 7 - In a significant policy shift reflecting statewide changes to graduation requirements, the Pembroke School Committee gave first-read approval to a comprehensive competency determination policy that will replace traditional MCAS testing as the primary graduation requirement, establishing new course-based standards for students to demonstrate academic proficiency in mathematics and English language arts.
The Full Story
The new policy, designated IKFE Competency Determination, creates a framework for determining whether students meet state standards through coursework rather than standardized testing. The change comes after Massachusetts eliminated MCAS as a graduation requirement, shifting responsibility to local districts to certify that students receive the same level of academic instruction previously measured by the exam.
An adminstrator explained that the policy would affect current 9th and 10th grade students, with determinations made on a rolling basis rather than waiting until senior year. “They’ll be starting to know right away in 9th grade,” she stated. “If they ran into some difficulties in the 9th grade, there would immediately be some sort of support that the student was identified. They may be repeating a class. They may be doing a summer school class.”
The policy includes detailed curriculum maps showing how specific courses meet state framework requirements. School Committee member Katrina Delaney raised important questions about students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and officials confirmed those students would receive additional oversight through annual IEP meetings and transition planning to ensure they remain on track for graduation.
The policy establishes that building principals will make competency determinations, with an appeal process available to families who disagree with a decision. Superintendent Erin Obey emphasized that competency determination is just one component of graduation requirements. “Yes, completing 9th and 10th grade is great. That’s the first step towards meeting our graduation requirements, but there’s a lot of other things that students are required to do in Pembroke before we certify them for graduation,” she said.
Both the policy subcommittee and education subcommittee reviewed the proposal multiple times before bringing it to the full committee. Delaney noted that building administrators “did a really good job thinking about all of the different aspects that we need to consider with some of these changes.”
In other major business, the committee approved multiple student trips, including the annual DECA business competition trips to Quincy in January and Boston in March, as well as a music department trip to Disney World in April 2027. School Committee member Sue Bollinger asked pointed questions about room assignments and chaperone policies during overnight trips. Superintendent Obey confirmed that students generally select roommates, male and female chaperones are required when both genders attend, and accommodations are made if parents object to specific arrangements.
The committee received extensive enrollment data showing the district has 19 fewer students than last year across 13 grades and five buildings—a decrease Superintendent Obey characterized as “stable, flat enrollment” rather than declining enrollment. The kindergarten class has 165 students, which officials called “a good number,” and the high school enrollment of 666 represents the smallest four-year span in recent memory, down from nearly 1,200 students during peak years.
Notably, only four students from the Class of 2029 left Pembroke High School to attend private schools, a significant decrease from previous years. “I think that speaks a lot for the robust offerings we have at Pembroke High School,” Superintendent Obey said. “A lot of times students leave for academic rigor, and that is clearly not what we’re facing here.” Vocational and agricultural school numbers also remain lower due to limited options for 9th graders.
Homeschooling data revealed approximately 33-37 students are currently homeschooled, up from 20-25 pre-COVID but stable since 2021. Superintendent Obey noted that some families begin homeschooling but return students mid-year, which creates challenges but is welcomed by the district.
The committee unanimously approved the strategic planning community survey, which will be distributed October 9th following focus group sessions. The anonymous survey, running through SurveyMonkey, will gather input from all stakeholder groups including students, families, staff, and community members. Delaney successfully advocated for including upper elementary students in the survey process, noting “there’s things that they have to say.” The district will make the survey available via QR codes at locations including town meetings and the library, and will provide translations for English language learner families.
Superintendent Obey announced that Pembroke will receive an additional $452,000 in funding at the fall town meeting, consisting of $182,000 in Chapter 70 state aid and $270,000 in new growth revenue from new construction. This unexpected funding will allow the district to potentially unfreeze some positions that were frozen during budget cuts, though Obey cautioned that hiring late in the school year is challenging and the district will not hire “just to hire” without strong candidates.
The budget subcommittee reported results from staff surveys showing priorities split evenly among three areas: smaller class sizes, additional paraprofessional support staff, and intervention specialists including Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). These priorities will inform decisions about which frozen positions to restore.
Superintendent Obey reported that collective bargaining negotiations are continuing, with the 14th session held last week and another scheduled for October 15th. “We are, again, trying to negotiate four contracts at one time, which is a very big undertaking,” she explained, adding that negotiators are “optimistic that we are getting closer to agreement on most of kind of the big topics.”
Discussion of the vocational school regional planning committee continued, with Superintendent Obey reporting on a well-attended Chamber of Commerce forum at the library. Updated frequently asked questions will be posted on the district website. The committee urged community members to attend the October 21st town meeting to vote on Article 6 regarding the vocational school project, noting that child care will be available from 6:45-9:30 p.m.
During public comment, Pembroke resident Paige Graziano delivered an extended statement questioning school policies regarding gender identity, bathroom and locker room access, parental notification, and pronoun usage. Graziano cited Massachusetts laws and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines, urging school committee members up for re-election to “stand up for our children and our parental rights.” The committee did not respond to the public comment as is standard practice.
The committee also approved a minor correction to policy IKF regarding credit requirements, changing a typo that stated wellness education was worth three credits when it is actually worth eight credits. Joe Hoban, the newly introduced student representative, attended his first meeting and will participate in future discussions after gaining familiarity with school committee operations.
Why It Matters
The new competency determination policy fundamentally changes how Pembroke students will qualify for high school graduation, shifting from standardized test performance to demonstrated mastery through coursework. Parents of current and future 9th and 10th graders should understand that students will be assessed continuously throughout these grades rather than facing a single high-stakes test, with support systems and interventions available for students who struggle. The policy also represents greater local control over graduation standards, with district educators rather than state test-makers determining whether students meet academic requirements. For families concerned about their child’s progress, the rolling assessment system means earlier identification of challenges and more opportunities for intervention before senior year.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approval of school committee meeting minutes from September 16, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous (School Committee member attending remotely from out of state could not vote). (Timestamp: 13:41)
Motion: Approval of DECA trip to Quincy Marriott, January 8-9, 2026, for District 1 competition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 15:13)
Motion: Approval of DECA trip to Boston Seaport, March 12, 2026, for state competition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 16:42)
Motion: Approval of music department trip to Disney World, April 2027. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 18:50)
Motion: Approval of strategic planning community survey. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 39:17)
Motion: First read approval of Policy IKFE, Competency Determination. Outcome: Approved for first read. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 43:54)
Motion: Approval of Policy IKF, Credit Status and Graduation Requirements (correction of typo regarding wellness credit requirements). Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous. (Timestamp: 44:53)
Motion: Enter executive session pursuant to Chapter 30A, Section 21A.3 to discuss collective bargaining strategy. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0, unanimous by roll call. (Timestamp: 57:28)
Public Comment
Paige Graziano, a Pembroke resident since 2001 and mother of four students who have attended or currently attend Pembroke Public Schools, delivered public comment raising questions about school policies regarding gender identity, including bathroom and locker room access based on gender identity versus biological sex, parental notification when students change names or pronouns, housing arrangements on overnight trips, and whether students or staff face reprimand for using biology-based pronouns. Graziano cited Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 5 regarding use of preferred names and pronouns, Chapter 112, Section 275 regarding gender-affirming care, and DESE guidelines recommending duplicate records to maintain student privacy from parents. She urged school committee members to advocate at the Massachusetts Association of School Committee meeting in November for parental rights and called on voters to engage more actively in local elections. The school committee did not respond to the public comment.
What’s Next
The school committee will hold a brief meeting on October 21, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Pembroke High School immediately prior to the fall town meeting at 7:00 p.m., where Article 6 regarding the regional vocational school will be voted on along with Article 1 providing an additional $452,000 to the school department budget. The strategic planning survey will launch October 9th and remain open for several weeks, with a check-in scheduled for October 22nd to assess response rates. A parent and family forum for the strategic plan will be held October 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the community center, facilitated by Teaching and Learning Alliance consultants. The school committee will meet November 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to review the district achievement report including MCAS, SAT, ACT, and AP exam results. Superintendent Obey’s evaluation feedback is due to the committee secretary by November 10th for discussion at the November 18th meeting. Policy IKFE Competency Determination will return for second read and final approval at a future meeting. The next collective bargaining session with the Pembroke Teachers Association is scheduled for October 15th. Superintendent Obey will present at the Council on Aging on October 15th at 10:00 a.m. regarding the vocational school project. The committee will discuss unfreezing frozen positions following the fall town meeting appropriation.