Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee Discusses Reorganization and the Multi-Year Financial Model

AB Forward Presentation & Discussion – 

Joseph Costello from DMGroup reviewed reorganization options with the school committee, and the committee had an opportunity to have an initial discussion of the options.  There was an opportunity for public comment following the committee discussion.

Multi-Year Financial Outlook & Budget Guidelines – 

Director of Finance & Operations Shei Matthews presented the district’s multi-year financial model showing a significant projected deficit for FY27.  The committee discussed the projected deficit and the development of budget guidelines, which provide guidance to the administration for developing next year’s budget.

AB Forward Community Forum held at the ABRHS Auditorium

About 75 families joined the district and DMGroup for the first community forum to discuss reorganization options.  

Steering Committee Summary (not official minutes)

On October 7, 2025, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Strategic Planning and Reorganization Steering Committee met to begin discussions on potential district reorganization. Committee leadership emphasized that this is only the start of a longer process, describing the meeting as “the first lap” of several. The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved. 

The committee addressed community concerns about whether decisions had already been made or if only cost-sustainable options were being considered. While cost stability serves as a necessary boundary, leadership emphasized that decisions should prioritize students, families, staff, and curriculum.

Consultants from the District Management Group (DMG) presented nine preliminary reorganization scenarios. DMG narrowed the options presented primarily based on the feasibility of existing school facilities and projected student enrollment, though some options may require temporary modular classrooms. Scenarios include maintaining six K-6 schools while consolidating four buildings into three, potentially through closing Conant; shifting to five schools by merging two or closing one; and creating grade-banded models, such as an Early Childhood Center (Pre-K–K) combined with lower elementary (Grades 1–3) and upper elementary (Grades 4–6). Secondary school options include moving 6th graders to the junior high to form a 6-8 middle school or moving 8th graders to the high school to create space.

To support informed decision-making, the district is commissioning research on the social, emotional, and academic impacts of these configurations, as well as effects on family engagement. This research will be shared before the next meeting.

Community participation will play a central role in the process. All feedback—from focus groups, surveys, and public meetings—will be equally considered. A community survey and three public meetings are planned to gather input. The committee aims to use this input to narrow the options to two or three final recommendations for the School Committee by the December 2 meeting.

The Steering Committee focused on making sure the process is clear and fair. Members asked for more information on how the options were developed, their costs, and how they might affect students, teachers, and families. They also requested research on the impact of different school setups on learning, class sizes, and social-emotional well-being. Committee members asked for clarity on special education programs, staffing changes, and transportation effects. 

Public comments shared at the end of the meeting focused on the social and emotional impact of potential school reorganizations, particularly concerns about separating siblings, losing cross-age interactions, and ensuring students feel known and supported during transitions. Attendees requested detailed data on student outcomes, enrollment trends, school choice preferences, and financial implications to guide decision-making. Many also emphasized the importance of maintaining community trust, the culture of the district, and clear timelines for implementation.

AB FORWARD: Reorganization Overview

Disclaimer: The above video was created using Google’s Notebook LM, a generative AI tool.  The video provides a high-level overview of the AB Forward reorganization work, but by design, it lacks important details of each of the options for consideration.  We encourage you to use the video and slides below in combination with each other to gain a deeper understanding of potential options.

AB FORWARD: REORGANIZATION SLIDES

PowerPoint Presentation 

The above slides will be presented at the AB Forward Steering Committee meeting on October 7, 2025.  For meeting details, please visit the AB Forward Meeting Page after 4 PM on 10/3.

AB announces community engagement opportunities in October

We are now entering the phase of the project focused on the possible reorganization of our schools, and we need your input.

• On October 7th, District Management Group will share preliminary reorganization options with the steering committee. The meeting agenda and materials will be posted to our official meetings website on October 3rd.  Steering committee meetings are open to the public.

• In October, we will launch a district-wide survey and host focus groups and community forums to collect input. Here are some anticipated dates and timelines:

  • Community Survey: Launches mid-October. (All community members are encouraged to participate.)

  • Community Forums (Open to all members of the public):

Community Forum #1: Tuesday, October 21st, 6:30-8:00 p.m., 

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Auditorium

Community Forum #2: Monday, October 27th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.,

Blanchard Memorial School Gymnasium

Community Forum #3: Thursday, October 30th, 6:30-8:00 p.m., 

Virtual (registration & link to follow)

• Focus Groups: October 15th-27th. We will conduct over 30 focus groups with a capacity for up to 250 participants across stakeholder groups. Invitations for stakeholders to sign up for focus groups will be sent on the following schedule:

October 1st: Individuals who applied to the steering committee but were not selected will be invited to sign up for a focus group (approximately 10 individuals).

October 3rd: We will randomly select staff and families across our schools who will be invited to sign up for focus groups (approximately 50% of available seats).

October 6th: Any community members may sign up for a focus group on a first-come, first-served basis. We will have separate focus groups for staff, families, and other stakeholder groups (approximately 50% of available seats).

Once the community engagement phase of this work is complete, the information will be used to help the steering committee narrow options to the top 2-3 concepts.  These priorities will be submitted to the school committee for final approval.

The Steering Committee met on September 9th to continue its work on the district’s next strategic plan.

• The discussion centered on developing a clear theory of action (how the district achieves its goals) and identifying priority areas to guide planning. 
• The group voted to recommend modifications to the District’s Mission & Vision as noted in the presentation materials (below). 
• The committee also previewed the framework by which future reorganization options may be evaluated.

Key Themes from the Meeting

• Meeting Student Needs: Committee members stressed the importance of supporting and balancing a wide range of academic and social-emotional needs at a variety of readiness and performance levels.

• Support for Educators: There was a robust discussion about what support for educators is needed.  Ideas included: a need for more resources, high-quality instructional materials, and professional learning to help staff meet students’ diverse needs.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Members emphasized that the plan must account for changing student needs over time and the ability for educators to flexibly respond to their students’ needs.

• System-wide Approach: Strong district systems and sustainable staffing models are essential to supporting all students effectively.

District Reorganization Planning

Joe Costello (DMG) introduced a framework for evaluating possible reorganization of the district to better meet student needs. Four dimensions will guide this work:

1. Facility Needs – ensuring buildings support learning.

2. School & Program Design – aligning programs with student needs.

3. Staffing & Resourcing – ensuring the right support in the right places.

4. Enrollment Policy – how the district determines which schools or programs students attend.

In October, DMG will provide the steering committee with 6-10 possible options for reorganization.  The steering committee is responsible for using community feedback to narrow these options to 2-3.  

Community feedback will play a central role. Community forums, focus groups, and surveys (including translation and virtual options) will gather diverse input this fall. By December 2025, the School Committee expects to review 2–3 actionable reorganization options.

Next Steps

• Strategic Planning Focus Groups of teachers, parents, students, and administrators will help refine the draft Theory of Action and Strategic Plan Priorities.  These were selected from standing groups, including the Educator Roundtable, Joint PTSO, and Superintendent & School Committee Student Advisory.

• Reorganization Community Survey will launch in early to mid-October to gather broad input on reorganization options.

• Reorganization Focus Groups will be formed to ensure balanced representation across schools, with translation and virtual participation available.  Focus groups will be comprised of stakeholders who sign up based on expressed interest, and individuals who are selected randomly and invited to participate.

• Reorganization Community Forums will be held in Acton, Boxborough, and virtually for any members of the community who want to learn more and provide feedback into the process and decision.

• December – the School Committee will review 2–3 proposed reorganization options.

The School Committee and Steering Committee remain committed to a process that is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to community feedback as it shapes the district’s future direction.

Meeting Agenda

DMG Presentation Slides

Meeting Minutes (once approved at next meeting)

• At the September 4^th School Committee meeting, DM Group presented an overview of their findings on the current strengths and challenges within our schools.
• These findings will serve as the foundation for developing the district’s next strategic plan and for considering potential school reorganization options.
• You may view the full presentation here:

• During the meeting of the Acton-Boxborough Regional Strategic Planning and Reorganization Steering Committee, Peter Light, the superintendent, called the meeting to order, noting the presence of a quorum. He welcomed the committee members and introduced Joanie Dean, the high school principal, as a guest, pending formal appointment by the school committee.
• The committee then reviewed and approved the minutes from their meeting on June 10, 2025. Following this, they acknowledged public comments. Members pointed out that the community wants to understand the reorganization process better and is concerned that decisions might already be finalized.
• Joe Costello and Yash Arora from District Management Group (DMG) shared their analysis of the school district, highlighting several key findings:
• Student Enrollment and Needs: Over the past ten years, student enrollment has dropped by about 10%, but the student body has become more diverse. Student needs have also increased, especially for students learning English (who went from 4% to 8% in 10 years) and those from lower-income backgrounds (a four-fold increase in the same period). Because of the open enrollment policy, the six elementary schools have varying student populations and needs.
• Student and Staff Performance: The district's academic performance is very strong, with students ranking in the top 5% statewide while spending less than the state average. However, significant and ongoing achievement gaps exist for certain student groups, including English learners, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students. Staff surveys also showed that 66% of educators felt stressed, overwhelmed, or exhausted at work.
• District Finances: The district's total spending has gone up by about $16 million in the last five years, mainly due to rising costs and changes in the state's funding formula. Despite this, the district had to eliminate about 86 staff positions to balance its budget. While the community has invested in school buildings, significant future expenses are required, with significant projects at multiple buildings and one school in need of a full renovation or replacement.
• The presentation also covered the strategic planning process, including a review of the district's mission and vision statements. The committee observed that the community had a very positive view of the existing mission and vision. The working group suggested small changes to the wording, such as adding "inclusive" to the mission and changing a verb in the vision, to better represent the district's goals and its dedication to fostering a sense of belonging.
• The meeting concluded with a plan for upcoming actions, including a detailed discussion of the "theory of action" at the next meeting on September 9. This discussion will focus on how the district can put its mission and vision into practice. DMG will also start organizing the next phase of community involvement, which will concentrate on specific reorganization options in October.
• Meeting Minutes (approved 9/5/2025)
• Meeting Materials:
  • DMG Findings Executive Summary
  • DMG Findings Full Slides
  • Community Survey Results

• The Strategic Planning & Reorganization Steering Committee is now A-B Forward: Shaping our future together.
• June 10 Meeting Update (revised): The AB Forward Steering Committee met to discuss strategic planning for the school district. The meeting began with approving minutes from their May 27 meeting and reviewing public comments submitted by community members.
• Joe Costello from District Management Group (DMG) provided key updates on their stakeholder engagement work. His team has been conducting preliminary interviews and focus groups with various community members to gather input about the district's current state and future needs.
• The committee discussed their strategic planning framework, focusing on how to prioritize important initiatives and create actionable steps. They emphasized the need for comprehensive community input throughout the process.
• A major decision was made to launch a district-wide community survey on June 11, 2025. The survey will run for one month and ask residents about the district's strengths, challenges, and priorities for the strategic plan. The survey will use an online platform called Thought Exchange to collect responses.
• The committee also established a smaller working group that will meet regularly during the summer months. This group will draft language for the strategic plan and workshop different components.
• Their next full committee meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2025, when they will review survey results and diagnostic findings, then begin developing the district's mission, vision, and theory of action.
• Final DMG Slides from June 10, 2025

• First scheduled meeting of the Steering Committee. 5.27.25 Steering Committee Training Agenda
• Quick Summary: Peter Light chaired the first meeting of the strategic planning and reorganization steering committee on May 27, 2025. The committee, comprising school committee members, educators, and parents, discussed the need for a new strategic plan. The plan will be focused on meeting students' needs in a period of declining enrollment and limited resources. District Management Group (DMG) will assist in developing the plan, focusing on stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and creating actionable strategies. The committee emphasized the importance of transparency, public records compliance, and maintaining community trust. Future meetings will delve into stakeholder engagement and strategic planning frameworks, aiming to present final options by December 2025.
• Meeting Minutes: Minutes (approved June 10)
• Meeting Materials: District Management Group Slides, Open Meeting & Public Records Law Slides

• Public Records and Open Meeting Law Training
• Introducethe  steering committee to DMGroup and the process for strategic planning and reorganization
• Introduce a strategic planning framework
• Confirm the role of steering committee members

• Introduce a strategic planning framework
• Discuss district mission/vision and theory of action
• Confirm next steps for the summer

• Review stakeholder feedback to date
• Review diagnostic findings from DMGroup
• Workshop mission/vision and theory of action

Tues. Sep 9

6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Confirm district mission/vision
• Discuss the theory of action as well as priority area themes that emerged from diagnostic analysis
• Review preliminary options for district reorganization to be shared with the community for feedback

Tues. Oct 7

6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Confirm district theory of action, priorities, and measurable goals for the strategic plan
• Confirm options for district reorganization to be shared with the community for feedback
• Update on progress with stakeholder engagement

Tues. Nov 18

6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Review stakeholder feedback on options for district reorganization 
• Confirm elements of the strategic plan
• Align on next steps to finalize options for presentation to the school committee

Tues. Dec 2

6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Final presentation of the strategic plan and reorganization options ahead of sharing with the school committee