ORR Joint School Committee — October 1, 2026

The Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee met in a hybrid session on October 1, 2026. Vice Chair April Nye presided over the Old Rochester Regional side, offering condolences on behalf of the committee to School Committee Chair Michelle Smith following the recent sudden loss of her husband Chris. Superintendent Mike Nelson commended staff across the tri-town districts for a successful launch to the new school year and referred members to his recent August and September newsletters for central office updates. Both the regional committee and the union school committee approved regular and executive session meeting minutes from June 9, July 1, and August 21, 2026.

A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to an extensive presentation from district administrators regarding Year 4 implementation of the strategic plan, Vision 2028. Administrators detailed ongoing work across five core objectives: curriculum development, common assessments using IXL, District Curriculum Accommodation Plans (DCAP), multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) alongside SEL initiatives like Fly Five, and facilities, safety, and capital planning updates presented by District Facilities Director Eugene Jones. Officials also addressed the smooth transition of 28 incoming freshmen from Acushnet entering Old Rochester Regional High School.

In action items, the joint committees reviewed and adopted Policy ACL, aligning the district with the Commonwealth's Protect Act guidance issued via the Attorney General and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to protect vulnerable individuals from civil law enforcement. Both the regional and union committees voted unanimously to waive the second reading and adopt the policy immediately. Following the absence of public comments, both committees adjourned.

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