ORR School Committee — November 20, 2025

The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met on November 20, 2025, in a hybrid session at the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. The committee began the meeting by recognizing the MIAA Division III State Championship golf team, which qualified to compete at Nationals at Pinehurst in North Carolina. The committee approved foreign travel for junior high students to visit Japan in June 2027, as well as multiple community donations and state grants, including a $30,000 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) FRESH grant supporting school gardens across Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.

Key operational business included a major update on the high school athletic field upgrade project funded by a $750,000 legislative earmark from Representative Strauss. Following procurement, Yard Boss was recommended as the qualified contractor to drill a second irrigation well and recondition athletic fields, with the committee voting unanimously to authorize the project and allow potential use of $100,000 to $150,000 from the capital reserve fund if necessary. The committee also voted unanimously to authorize Superintendent Mike Nelson and Vice Chair April Nye to conduct formal negotiations regarding a potential high school tuition partnership with Acushnet Public Schools ahead of Acushnet's scheduled December 9 decision.

During annual reorganization, Michelle Willette-Smith was re-elected Chairperson and April Nye was re-elected Vice Chair, followed by the approval of subcommittee assignments. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sherry Fedorowicz and Junior High Principal Silas Kohlner delivered a comprehensive 2025 MCAS report examining performance trends across grades 7 through 10, highlighting areas of achievement above state averages as well as targeted action plans for writing, math, and science. Following an update on budget pressures, upcoming school events, and public comment from Dr. Colin Everett concerning school funding and retiree health insurance costs, the committee voted to enter executive session regarding collective bargaining and litigation before adjourning.

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