Dear Acton-Boxborough Families,

We are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the state, and our state is home to some of the best schools in the country. Yet even in this exceptional district, declining enrollment and rising costs make our current model unsustainable. Beyond dollars and numbers, veteran teachers will tell you that the support students need to be successful today looks different from previous generations - whether that’s because students are learning content while also learning English, because social, emotional, and behavioral needs have become more complex, or because we now have better tools to identify when a student needs targeted support. Our staff work tirelessly to meet these needs, but they also see the strain that our current configuration places on resources and on their ability to support students as effectively as possible. For these reasons, eight months ago, the School Committee committed to finding a path forward that ensures every student continues to have the best opportunities within the resources of our community. Without change, operating six elementary schools would require reductions that compromise educational quality. AB Forward is our five-year plan to address these challenges thoughtfully, equitably, and with a focus on strengthening all of our schools.

Reorganization Process to Date:

• Community Input: Over 1,500 survey responses, 575+ forum participants, 230+ focus group participants.
  
  

• Steering Committee Evaluation: Using feedback, research, and district data, the AB Forward Steering Committee narrowed 13 options to four. This committee of educators, administrators, parents, and community members completed deliberations on December 2. The options reflect major themes: financial sustainability, K-6 structures, fairness across schools, and preserving each school’s strengths.
  
  

• School Committee Deliberation (Current Phase): The Committee now considers these options and will make the final decision. While members bring perspectives from their communities, we are elected to represent all students. This decision impacts 2,400+ elementary students, their families, and roughly 500 educators and staff. We take our role in deliberating and making this decision very seriously.

All four options affect every elementary school; two create entirely new school communities for all Acton-based schools. While change will impact everyone, there is also an opportunity to shape new school identities together.

How to Engage:

• Public Comment: On December 18th, 15 minutes total for all participants; plan for abbreviated remarks and submit longer comments via written channels. There will be a longer session on January 8; again, speaker time will be shared across all who wish to comment, and no more than 3 minutes per person.
  
  

• Written Comments: Submit to abrsc@abschools.org or via the AB Forward Public Comment form. Comments submitted between December 18 and January 8 will be read, though responses may be limited due to volume and the holiday break.

To ensure fairness and transparency, the Committee encourages using these public forums and channels so all voices can be heard equally.

The Committee will continue deliberations on December 18 and January 8 and may rule out options during these meetings; the final vote is scheduled for January 22. Our agenda for December 18th and supplemental materials are here.

We recognize these changes may bring feelings of loss and grief for some communities. At the same time, we can’t stay stuck in that place. How can we shift our thinking to see this as an opportunity to build stronger, more sustainable schools together? As we hear perspectives we may not initially agree with, how might we listen with curiosity and empathy? We all want the best for our children, and I challenge each of us to reach out - talk with colleagues or families whose children are in different schools or grades, or who have experienced school in different ways - and discover the common values that unite us. By finding what we share and building on it, we can harness our energy, engagement, and passion to create schools that are even stronger, more inclusive, and better prepared for every one of our students.

Thank you for staying engaged. Your feedback, questions, and perspectives continue to shape our path forward, together. I am grateful for your partnership, and I could not be more proud to serve our community.

Sincerely,

Tori Campbell

Chair, Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee