Pembroke School Committee Approves $40.5 Million Budget, Declines School Choice Program
Budget includes new behavioral program and math interventionist; committee opts to wait on school choice decision
PEMBROKE - April 29 - The Pembroke School Committee has unanimously approved a $40,550,000 budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which includes funding for several new positions while declining to participate in the state's inter-district school choice program for the upcoming year.
During the April 29 meeting, Superintendent Erin Obey presented the final budget recommendation, which represents approximately 50% of the town's overall budget and leaves a surplus of just $1,953.
"That would take us about eight seconds to spend," Obey noted about the small surplus. "So much can happen between today and the start of school next year that I think just kind of rolling like that makes sense."
The approved budget includes several administrative priorities that address behavioral support, math intervention, and expanded pathway programs for students.
A key addition is funding for a behavioral social-emotional program at Hobomock Elementary School, which includes a teacher and a registered behavior technician (RBT).
"That would be a cost savings in the future, both in the realm of not necessarily needing to send students out of district to access a program like that, but also the potential to bring some students back," Obey explained.
The budget also funds a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), a position that appeared in several departmental budget presentations.
"In order to employ an RBT, we have to have a BCBA on staff," Obey said. "Having our own person in district and on hand all of the time I think is a support that our staff are really, really looking for."
Other funded priorities include:
* An elementary math interventionist to be shared across three schools
* Expansion of the pathways coordinator position from part-time to full-time
* A part-time coordinator of counseling position (partially grant-funded)
* Managed technology services
* Additional stipends for extracurricular activities at Pembroke High School
The budget accounts for enrollment-based reductions, including one less section of third grade at North Elementary, one less section of sixth grade at Hobomock, and two fewer staff positions at Pembroke Community Middle School.
In a separate but related discussion, the committee voted against participating in the state's inter-district school choice program for the 2025-2026 school year, which would have allowed students from other communities to enroll in Pembroke schools.
Obey recommended against school choice participation for elementary grades, citing current class sizes and increased student support needs post-COVID. For secondary schools, she suggested the committee consider it for future years.
"I would not recommend adding school choice for middle school next year just because it is our first year of a split team there," Obey said. "I think it's important to give them a year of that under their belt before we talk about opening up school choice."
For the high school, Obey noted recent changes to graduation requirements as a reason to delay participation. "I would like to suggest that you give that a year to play out a little bit so we can see what effects that have on staffing there as well."
Committee member David Boyle expressed concerns about the profile of students who might enroll through school choice.
"A lot of times when we're bringing kids in from somewhere else, how do you say it nicely? They may not be the prized academic student we're looking for," Boyle said. "The other part is they could also bring their problems here to us."
Committee Vice-Chair Allison Glennon suggested starting with a small number of seats for incoming freshmen, noting that the projected freshman class is 26 students smaller than the current one.
"I would be tempted to just do a very small number for the incoming freshman class," Glennon said.
Committee member Katrina Delaney proposed an even smaller approach. "My thought is, would there be a benefit to add, like, two seats, see how it goes, and then... spread out the need so that it's less on teachers."
However, committee member Susan Bollinger supported waiting a year. "I appreciate the guidance that we just changed the graduation requirements. I know how difficult it is in today's world to be a teacher and don't want to add to that stress right now."
The committee ultimately followed Obey's recommendation to hold off on school choice for the upcoming year but to consider it for future years, particularly at the high school level.
The approved budget now moves to the town meeting on May 13 at Pembroke High School for final approval.
Other items discussed at the meeting included:
* The potential for additional funding if the governor's proposed per-pupil Chapter 70 funding increases from $75 to $150
* Pending "pothole grants" that could fund additional priorities if approved
* The upcoming town election on May 17
* An open meeting law complaint that will be discussed at a future meeting
The committee will meet again on May 6 at 6:30 p.m., with the school choice policy discussion continuing at that time.