Rockland School Committee Approves School Choice Program, 2025-2026 Calendar
District attracts 82 students from neighboring communities while sending 18 out through popular program
ROCKLAND - April 28 - The Rockland School Committee has voted to continue the district's participation in the School Choice program for the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting the program's popularity with 82 students choosing to attend Rockland schools from other districts.
The committee received a detailed update on the program during their April 28 meeting, where administrators shared that Rockland sends just 18 students to other districts through the same program.
"I think it's impressive that we have 82 students from other towns that want to come to Rockland," said School Committee Chair Jill Maroney.
The School Choice program generates significant revenue for the district. According to information presented at the meeting, Rockland receives $5,000 per incoming student, plus additional reimbursement for special education services when needed.
"We're projecting our reimbursement from SPED costs to go from $48,000 last year to $110,000 this year," Assistant Superintendent Jane Hackett explained during the presentation.
Only four of the 82 incoming School Choice students currently receive special education services, with just one placed in an out-of-district program. That student is from a Rockland family who moved out of town but wanted to remain in the district through School Choice.
Committee member Melissa Mauro-Small raised questions about financial responsibility for out-of-district placements for School Choice students.
"As we've looked at the budget over the past two years or so, there's been a pretty exponential increase in the costs for out-of-district placements," Mauro-Small noted. "I just wanted to make sure that this wasn't impacting that."
Administrators clarified that while Rockland manages these placements, the district receives additional reimbursement from the sending district for any out-of-district costs.
The committee also discussed other benefits of the program beyond financial considerations.
"I think it's important to remember that these students' families commit to transporting their students. There's a level of commitment to coming here," Superintendent Alan Cron noted. "Sometimes these are our employees' children also. So they're generally very invested in an asset."
The School Choice program operates separately from other educational options. Students attending vocational schools, private schools, or charter schools are not counted in School Choice numbers.
Administrators explained that School Choice students are not included in the district's foundation enrollment figures used by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to determine Chapter 70 state aid allocations.
"Our foundation enrollment, which determines our Chapter 70 allocation, does not include School Choice students," Hackett clarified. "That's why various times our enrollment number may sound different to you."
The committee unanimously approved continuing participation in the School Choice program for the 2025-2026 school year.
In other business, the committee also approved the 2025-2026 school calendar. The calendar had been reviewed at a previous meeting, and the April 28 vote formalized its adoption.
The meeting included several other notable items:
* The committee approved a new fundraiser for the Rogers Middle School PAC, a "dining for cause" event with D'Angelo's to raise funds for school events, supplies, and teacher assistance.
* Committee members praised the recent Travel Club trip, which took students to multiple countries. "At no point was I ever nervous that my child was unsafe," said Chair Maroney, whose daughter participated. "Not every kid in every school gets to go on a trip like this."
* The committee noted that Rogers Middle School is holding honor roll ceremonies this week, with fifth grade already completed and grades six through eight scheduled for the coming days.
* Members reminded the community that MCAS testing is approaching next week for middle school students.
* The committee acknowledged the upcoming Staff Appreciation Week, with Chair Maroney stating, "We are so appreciative that you all, from soup to nuts, take care of these kids day in and day out."