Pembroke School Committee to Revisit Sports Policy Amid Public Pressure
Teacher Contracts Ratified
PEMBROKE - February 3, 2026 - In a meeting marked by intense public discourse and significant labor milestones, the Pembroke School Committee voted unanimously to ratify contracts for all five district bargaining units while signaling a willingness to revisit athletic policies. Members of the public packed the room to demand the committee petition the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) regarding the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ sports, prompting the board to schedule a formal discussion on the matter for a future session.
The Full Story
The evening began with a heavy focus on community concerns regarding gender identity and athletic fairness. Several residents and public figures addressed the committee, urging them to challenge current MIAA standards that allow students to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex. Chair David Boyle introduced the comment period stating that it was for Pembroke residents only.
Chrissy Nelson, a Pembroke resident, opened the public comment period by arguing that the current framework ignores “fairness and equity” for female athletes [02:30]. She presented the committee with a petition and urged them to use their voice to contact the MIAA formally. “The sex of a student athlete matters,” Nelson stated. “This isn’t about identity; it’s in fact protecting females in their sports and spaces” [02:43].
Other speakers shared personal anecdotes and biological arguments, including Claire Abernathy and Simon Amaya Price, who identified themselves as “detransitioners” and residents of the area, and warned of the long-term impacts of gender-affirming policies [10:23], [13:08]. School Committee members shared on Facebook after the meeting that they were not in fact Pembroke residents. Resident Keri O’Brien defended the existing MIAA policy, citing studies that suggest hormone therapy can mitigate physical advantages and emphasizing the high rates of bullying faced by transgender youth [15:33].
“This isn’t a black and white issue; it’s a complex human one that requires sensitivity, not rigid exclusions. High school sports are supposed to be the antidote to isolation; they teach leadership and teamwork—things we should be inviting every student to experience.” [18:10] — Keri O’Brien, Pembroke Resident
Following the public comment period, member Susan Bollinger moved to place the issue on a future agenda. “I think it’s really important that we have a discussion about potentially writing an MIAA letter,” Bollinger said, adding that the committee should also review Policy JJIB, which governs school athletics [01:10:48].
While social policy dominated the opening hour, the committee also cleared a major hurdle by ratifying Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) for the Pembroke Teachers Association. The 5-0 votes covered teachers, nurses, paraprofessionals, and clerical staff, bringing a long negotiation process to a close [26:43]. Kate Nugent, representing the union, thanked the committee for reaching an agreement that “we can all be happy with” [23:39].
The committee also looked toward the 2026-2027 academic year by approving the new Program of Studies. Assistant Superintendent Marybeth Brust introduced three new courses: AP Digital Photography, a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Capstone, and a literature course titled “Connecting Place and Page” [55:19]. The PLTW Capstone is designed as an open-ended problem-solving class where students from different pathways—such as biomedical and engineering—can collaborate on real-world solutions [56:31].
The board also moved to archive several under-enrolled classes and shifted Honors Anatomy and Physiology to the PLTW “Human Body Systems” curriculum to emphasize applied learning [01:00:53].
In her student services report, Jessica DeLorenzo, Director of Special Education, highlighted the increasing complexity of student needs. She noted a rise in requests for Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs)—13 so far this year compared to eight at the same time last year [46:53]. To address this, the district is utilizing “Titan and Compass Labs” as therapeutic resource rooms for students needing social-emotional support or reintegration after extended absences [43:45].
Finally, Superintendent Erin Obey provided a brief budget update. She reported that Town Manager Bill Chenard has included the district’s “maintenance of effort” number in the town’s fiscal year 2027 presentation [01:08:44]. However, state aid remains tight, with the governor’s budget proposing a minimal increase of $75 per student [01:09:12].
Why It Matters
The ratification of the PTA contracts provides much-needed labor stability and ensures that teachers and staff are operating under updated agreements. However, the committee’s decision to revisit the MIAA sports policy indicates that Pembroke may soon join a growing list of Massachusetts towns challenging state-level athletic regulations.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the Memorandums of Agreement for PTA Units A and B (Teachers and Nurses).
Vote: 5-0 ([27:38])
Motion: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement for PTA Unit C (Paraprofessionals).
Vote: 5-0 ([28:09])
Motion: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement for PTA Unit D (Secretaries).
Vote: 5-0 ([28:34])
Motion: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement for PTA Unit E (Aides).
Vote: 5-0 ([28:41])
Motion: To approve the new course proposals for the 2026-2027 Program of Studies.
Vote: 5-0 ([01:07:48])
Motion: To approve the 2026-2027 Program of Studies with minor edits.
Vote: 5-0 ([01:08:05])
Public Comment
Public comment was dominated by the debate over transgender athletes in female sports categories. Five speakers urged the committee to restrict participation to biological sex to ensure safety and fairness, while one speaker advocated for continued inclusion and adherence to current MIAA and state guidelines. One resident also briefly spoke in support of the finalized union contracts.
What’s Next
Budget Presentations: Detailed building-based budget presentations will begin at the next meeting on February 24, 2026 [01:09:54].
Policy Review: The Policy Subcommittee will revisit Graduation Cords recognition and Policy JJIB (Athletics) [01:10:15].
MIAA Correspondence: The full committee will discuss drafting a formal letter to the MIAA regarding sports categories [01:12:06].
Source Video: Titan TV