Merger Proposal Has Backing of Three School Committees

A pre-K through grade 12 merger proposal for Acton and Boxborough has received the backing of the town's three school committees after month's of changes.

In a May 2 joint meeting of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee, the Acton Public School Committee and Boxborough School Committee that was taped on May 2 by ActonTV, all three agreed to the most recently changed plan and to present it to Special Town Meeting in both communities on June 3.

The merger would go into affect on July 1, 2014, if it passes at Special Town Meeting, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education support the plan.

The plan will be a pass-fail option at Special Town Meeting. Both towns must approve it in order for it to take effect. Voters will not be allowed to make amendments.

If Acton and Boxborough approve it, the agreement goes to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The DESE would then either accept or reject it as a whole without making changes or rejecting parts of it.

Changes would have to go to Town Meeting again.

Among the major changes agreed upon by the three committees is an eliminate of the 5 percent contruction discount for Boxborough on future projects. Also, the regional school committee would increase with seven members from Acton and four from Boxborough.

The educational benefits of the merger include an increased choice option for both towns, gradual leveling of class size and classroom space increases.

Financial benefits include $1 million in initial savings.

More information can he found at visit www.ab.mec.edu.

Public Presentation Schedule

Date Day Group Time Where

7-May Tues JT Acton Bd of Selectmen/Finance Committee 7:30 PM RJG Jr High Library

8-May Wed McCarthy Towne School PTSO 7:00 PM Parker Damon Building

14-May Tues League of Women Voters Forum 7:30 PM Acton Town Hall

20-May Mon Boxborough Council on Aging 10:30 AM Boxborough Town Hall

21-May Tues Acton Council on Aging 12:15 PM Senior Center

28-May Tues Merriam School PTO 7:30 PM Parker Damon Building