Congratulations
Each year, the district recognizes staff who complete 20 years of service with us. These individuals deserve thanks for the many students and families they have served during their time at A-B. Congratulations to our 20-year Recipients: Becky Acheson, Christopher Baird, Timothy Bassett, Cathleen Bellao, Vanessa Bergmann, Kristen Ervick, Daniel Goldner, Robert Graham, Brendan Hearn, Melissa Hubbell, Lena Jarostchuk, Raymond Kalagher, Kristin Kelley, Kimberly Landry, Kristen Licari, Timothy Murphy, Christy Nealon, Pamela Reeves, Nicole Ross, and Jessica Sands.
Congratulations to the following ABRHS student artists whose work was selected by jury for the 2026 Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists Recognition Exhibit! Check out their artwork in the Web Gallery.
Nathaniel Kim (Virginia M. Diani Adams Memorial Award)
Esther Song (Blick Art Materials Gift Card Award)
Bella Calisi
Maria Didier
Ayla Flanzer
AB Forward Parent/Caregiver Update
School Committee Update: Last night, as part of the ongoing discussion around geographic zones, the school committee asked the administration and Dillinger RAD to focus on Scenario 7, and further examine the opportunity to "grandfather" two groups of students into existing physical campuses. The two groups include: 1. Students who reside in Acton who currently attend Blanchard, and 2. students who currently attend an Acton school who reside in the "Blanchard expansion zone," which is located in Acton and noted in the green and yellow areas on the map below. The administration noted that this would apply to all students who are currently enrolled in our schools, but cannot be applied to future students due to busing limitations.
 
Interactive Map: You can provide feedback about this scenario through this interactive map. By using the interactive map, you can:
- Search for a specific address
- Create your own custom area and provide feedback on a specific region.
Additional 1/2 Days Proposed: Last night, I previewed with the school committee a proposal to add 3 additional 1/2 days to the elementary calendar this year in order to allow our educators to prepare for the AB Forward move to new buildings. The dates are:
Friday, May 22nd (before Memorial Day) - Educators working collaboratively on student placement and groupings
Monday, June 22nd - Educators packing classrooms for moving
Monday, June 23rd - Educators packing classrooms for moving We are working on childcare options. More information will be available soon.
AB Forward Family Webinar: The next AB Forward Family Update is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 p.m. and will last approximately 45 minutes. These sessions provide parents and caregivers with the latest information and a clear overview of any new developments. A link will be sent to families on Tuesday afternoon.
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FY27 Budget
The School Committee approved the 2027 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget last night.
Some key details about the FY27 Budget:
Proposed Budget: The preliminary district budget is approximately $122.6 million. Increase: This represents a 4.75% increase over the FY26 budget. The increase includes the use of one-time reserves noted below. Fiscal Strategy: The budget is balanced by incorporating reductions from the AB Forward process, which total approximately $1.5 million in personnel savings alone. Reserve Funds & One-Time Costs: The district has proposed using $1.25 million from its reserves for one-time costs associated with the move and to protect against any decrease in anticipated state aid. Any unused funds will be returned to reserves.
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Celebrating Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society, and has been observed annually in March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.
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