ORR School Committee — December 15, 2025

The Old Rochester Regional School Committee convened on December 15, 2025, in a hybrid format. Superintendent Mike Nelson opened with an update on tuition agreement negotiations with Acushnet Public Schools, noting that the Acushnet School Committee had voted to proceed with negotiations with Old Rochester Regional High School and New Bedford High School. The committee then approved an expenditure of $140,000 from the capital stabilization account to support ongoing athletic field improvements, which supplement a $750,000 state earmark.

The committee also approved several policy updates to meet state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education deadlines. These included Policy JFAE regarding middle school pathway exploration documentation, Policy IKF regarding local graduation requirements, and Policy IKFE addressing competency determinations following changes to state MCAS graduation rules for the classes of 2026 and 2027.

Following an executive session, the committee reconvened to hear a presentation from Eric Alcorn and Ed Burns of NFP, the broker and consultant for the Gateway Health Group (comprising Carver, Lakeville, and Old Rochester). NFP outlined significant projected deficits for the group ranging from $1 million to $6 million due to delayed fiscal year 2025 claims, rising medical utilization, and GLP-1 weight loss drug costs. The committee reviewed potential future options, including mid-year rate changes, GLP-1 program adjustments, and the possibility of group restructuring or dissolution, with further analysis expected in January 2026.

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