Pembroke Schools Face Budget Challenges Amid Declining Enrollment
Committee Discusses Staffing Changes, Program Cuts to Address Financial Constraints
PEMBROKE - February 4 - The Pembroke School Committee grappled with budget concerns as enrollment continues to decline across the district. During a recent meeting, committee members and school administrators discussed potential staffing changes and program cuts to address financial constraints.
Superintendent Erin Obey presented enrollment data showing a downward trend over the past eight years. The high school's enrollment has dropped 25.2% since 2017-2018, while the middle school has seen a 27.8% decrease in the same period.
Despite the declining numbers, school officials emphasized that student needs are increasing, particularly in special education services. Marc Talbot, Pembroke High School principal, noted that 115 students currently require support services, representing about 17% of the student body.
"That's a 1% increase," Talbot said. "In a vacuum, in a silo, a 1% increase might not justify the position, but what I'm saying to you is if you go back and look at my presentations over the past several years, it's 1%, 1%, 3% last year, 1%, and that's up. So now we're at 7 or 8% over the past 4 or 5 years, and that matters."
To address these growing needs, Talbot requested several new positions, including a full-time director of counseling, a full-time special education teacher, and a part-time American Sign Language teacher.
Committee member David Boyle expressed concern about the financial implications of these requests. "We've got some tough decisions to make," Boyle said. "At the end of the day, we're going to have to probably make some cuts, make some changes."
The committee also approved changes to graduation requirements, which will take effect for the class of 2029. The new requirements include two years of world language and one semester of visual or performing arts.
Committee member Allison Glennon emphasized the importance of aligning Pembroke's requirements with those of other districts and colleges. "We talked about that pretty extensively when it came as a first read," Glennon said. "I just want to make sure since we have a captive audience."
In addition to budget and curriculum discussions, the committee addressed playground safety concerns at Hobomock Elementary School. Members approved plans to seek Community Preservation Committee funding for playground renovations.
Obey presented a report from Safe and Sound Solutions, a Pembroke-based company, detailing the scope of necessary repairs and replacements. The committee recommended moving forward with a CPC grant application for a full replacement of the playground.
"It gets used more than any other playground around, and there are some major safety deficiencies," member Susan Bollinger noted.
Committee Chair Patrick Chilcott emphasized the urgency of the renovations, stating, "It's in really rough shape."
The committee also discussed the potential for Pembroke to join South Shore Technical High School as a member town. Obey reported that the vocational planning committee will meet next week to prepare a presentation for the full committee in March.
"We are excited to bring to you all the information associated with what it would look like for Pembroke to join financially, educationally," Obey said.
The committee plans to hold informational sessions for the community before deciding whether to place the issue on the fall town meeting warrant.