PEMBROKE - January 13, 2026 - The Pembroke School Committee received a first look at the district’s roadmap for the next five years, outlining priorities that will drive budget and policy decisions through 2031. Superintendent Erin Obey presented the framework of the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, developed from over 1,000 survey responses and multiple focus groups. Alongside long-term planning, the Committee reviewed a successful pilot of the FOSS science curriculum, which promises to shift elementary classrooms from “watching science” to “doing science” through hands-on investigations.
The Full Story
A Roadmap for 2031 Superintendent Erin Obey provided a comprehensive update on the district’s Strategic Plan, which is currently in its third phase: implementation design. The plan, set to be finalized in February, focuses on four key areas: Teaching and Learning, Community Partnerships, Finance/Personnel/Facilities, and Communications.
Obey emphasized that this document will not sit on a shelf. It is designed to be the “true north” for the district, informing everything from the Superintendent’s goals to individual School Improvement Plans.
“It is a living breathing document... it’s really something that we will continually need to really refer to and potentially make changes to. A lot of the things that we’ve talked about are budget dependent and we all know that that changes wildly over the course of one fiscal year let alone five.” — Superintendent Erin Obey [[57:14]]
The drafting process revealed that while the district has strong support for its staff and technology, challenges remain regarding aging facilities and the budget climate. A draft of the full plan will be presented to the Committee in mid-February.
Science “You Can Touch” Melinda Soliwoda, PreK-6 Content Coordinator, presented a compelling case for adopting the FOSS (Full Option Science System) curriculum for grades K-5. The district has been piloting the program, which emphasizes active investigation over rote memorization.
Soliwoda described a shift from “Generation Genius” videos to physical engagement, citing an example where first graders explored sound vibrations using tuning forks and water. The pilot has been met with enthusiasm from teachers and students alike.
“Watching somebody do an experiment is not the same as doing it yourself... We don’t want kindergarteners, first and second graders going home crying ‘cuz the butterflies didn’t survive... we want them engaged in hands-on learning and we want them talking about it.” — Melinda Soliwoda [[14:16]]
Soliwoda recommended a full adoption of FOSS for grades 1-5, noting that the “kits” are a long-term investment where 90% of the materials are permanent. The cost would be partially offset by eliminating duplicate subscriptions to other science services like Mystery Science.
Writing Pilot Update Soliwoda also updated the Committee on the “Simplify Writing” pilot. While the program—which offers a systematic approach to grammar and writing—has received positive feedback, the recommendation is to pause on a full district-wide rollout. Soliwoda advised focusing resources and teacher bandwidth on the science curriculum first to avoid “initiative overload,” though teachers currently using the writing program may continue to do so.
Union Contracts Settled Superintendent Obey announced a major administrative milestone: the negotiation subcommittee has reached tentative agreements with all collective bargaining units after nearly a year of work.
“That is a year’s worth of negotiations... I think we met 22 or 23 times... and I’m excited to share those agreements with you at the next meeting.” — Superintendent Erin Obey [[01:03:46]]
Why It Matters
The Strategic Plan is the mechanism that translates community values into tax dollars. By identifying “Finance and Facilities” as a core pillar, the district is preparing residents for upcoming discussions on capital improvements and budget overrides. Furthermore, the shift to the FOSS curriculum represents a tangible change in daily instruction, prioritizing critical thinking and physical engagement—skills that district leaders argue are essential for modernizing Pembroke’s elementary education.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To accept the School Committee meeting minutes for December 2, 2025.
Vote: 5-0 [[08:19]]
Motion: To enter into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) and (3) to discuss personal service contracts and collective bargaining strategy.
Vote: 5-0 (Roll Call) [[01:21:02]]
Public Comment
Resident Chrissy Nelson addressed the Committee regarding fairness in girls’ sports. She expressed concern that her daughter, a track athlete, was displaced from a finals qualification spot by a biological male athlete at a recent invitational. Nelson cited physiological differences between biological males and females—such as muscle mass, bone density, and lung capacity—arguing that these provide an unfair competitive advantage.
“When a female cannot be noticed by colleges, they cannot be recruited, they cannot receive college scholarships and their dreams are crushed... I’m here today bringing this important issue to your attention purely because I think that there are some school policies that need to be changed.” — Chrissy Nelson [[01:17:23]]
She requested that the Committee prioritize the use of “biological sex” over “gender identity” in school policies and petitioned the Committee to lobby the MIAA to change its rules regarding transgender athletes.
What’s Next
Ratification of Contracts: The Committee is expected to vote on the new union contracts at the next meeting.
Strategic Plan Draft: A full draft will be presented in mid-February.
Next Meeting: Scheduled for February 3, 2026, which will also include a presentation on the High School Program of Studies. A joint budget meeting with the Select Board is being planned.
Source Video: Titan TV