Silver Lake Regional School Committee Tackles Budget, Data, and Policy Updates
Committee votes to withdraw from school choice program, reviews student performance data, and approves handbook changes
KINGSTON - April 10 - The Silver Lake Regional School Committee voted to withdraw from the state's school choice program due to budget and space concerns during their April meeting. The committee also reviewed mid-year student performance data and approved several policy updates required for compliance with state regulations.
The school choice decision came after discussion about the financial implications of accepting students from other districts. Superintendent Jill Proulx explained that the state provides approximately $6,000 per student who attends through school choice, with a maximum of $5,000 additional for special education students.
Committee members noted that the actual per-student cost at Silver Lake is closer to $18,000, creating a significant funding gap. The committee voted to withdraw from school choice with only one member, Lukasz Kowalski, opposing the decision.
"We're withdrawing from school choice for the financial implications as well as the space concerns," said Jeanne Coleman, who made the motion.
The committee received detailed presentations on student performance data across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Curriculum Coordinator Brian DeSantes presented elementary data showing progress toward the district's goal of reaching 70% proficiency in English Language Arts and Math.
"We're not there yet. We're going to strive to be better and better and better," DeSantes said regarding the district's performance goals.
The data presentations included results from multiple assessment tools, including DIBELS fluency assessments for younger students, STAR assessments for comprehension, and MCAS results. Administrators noted improvements in several areas while identifying others needing additional focus.
Middle School Principal Rebecca Couet and High School Principal Michaela Gill, along with department heads, presented secondary level data showing mixed results across subjects. The presentations highlighted the district's efforts to align curriculum with state standards and develop targeted interventions based on assessment data.
"We're seeing breakthroughs in areas," said Superintendent Proulx. "What I like about that data is that it shows that our students and our teachers are capable of meeting the goal. We will get there."
Committee Chair Gordon Laws praised the progress in data analysis capabilities.
"Tonight's presentation represents a lot of progress in my view on a number of levels," Laws said. "The fact that we're able to do this now and to have real increased data proficiency and data-driven discussion I think is really good progress."
The committee also addressed funding for a school resource officer (SRO) at the middle school. The committee had previously allocated $80,000 for the position, but Kingston's town administrator requested additional funds to cover benefits.
After discussion and clarification from Business Director Sarah Hickey, the committee learned the total cost for salary and benefits would be $66,667, which falls within the already approved budget amount.
Committee members expressed concern about the timing of the SRO's availability, as the officer would need to complete academy training and wouldn't be available until later in the school year.
In other business, the committee:
- Approved student handbook changes for the 2025-2026 school year, including updates to the GPA computation system, cell phone policy, and student discipline procedures
- Accepted donations totaling $13,660, including $10,660 for the boys' volleyball team, $2,500 for the class of 2026 senior prom, and golf memberships from Halifax Country Club for the Silver Lake Golf Team
- Approved a summer strength and conditioning program for student athletes that would be supervised by the school's trainer and self-funded through participation fees
- Voted to create a circuit breaker revolving account for special education reimbursements
- Appointed Jeanne Coleman as the committee's representative to the Regional Study Communication Committee, which will study potential regionalization options
- Approved three policy updates required for compliance with state regulations, including policies related to bullying prevention, student restraint, and school meals
Principal Gill reported on the high school's flexible block trial, noting positive feedback from teachers and students. "It's been pretty positive so far," Gill said. "After spring break, we will start trial number two, which will be a shortened Laker block that will happen every Wednesday."
Gill also announced that the school received a $47,000 grant for Project Lead The Way biomedical science program, which will provide professional development, training, and infrastructure to develop a biomedical pathway for students.
The committee heard from a student representative, who shared updates on upcoming Spirit Week activities and provided student perspective on the flexible block implementation.
"The Maker Block has been super helpful for teachers and students," she said. "Sometimes what happens is the day before a test, everyone's after school trying to get help from that one teacher, and there's like 30 kids, so it's nice to have maybe if the Maker Block needs 20 kids, and then after school too."
The next Silver Lake Regional School Committee meeting is scheduled for May.