Halifax School Committee Explores Full Regionalization

Potential Cost Savings and Streamlined Operations Drive Discussion

HALIFAX, MA - October 7 - The Halifax School Committee is considering full regionalization of the school district as a way to address budget challenges and improve operational efficiency. The committee discussed applying for a grant to study the pros and cons of full regionalization during their recent meeting.

Committee member Lori Costa-Cline suggested adding full regionalization as a standing agenda item for future meetings. "I feel like we're not helping ourselves or our community at all by holding off on even having a conversation about it," Costa-Cline said.

Superintendent Jill Proulx noted that most regional school districts are fully regionalized, with only a few examples of partially regionalized districts like Halifax with Silver Lake. She explained that full regionalization could make Halifax eligible for regional transportation reimbursement, potentially easing budget pressures.

The committee voted to ask the Town of Halifax to apply for a grant to pursue a regionalization assessment. They also agreed to add the topic as a standing agenda item for future meetings.

In a related discussion, the committee reviewed budget challenges and explored ways to reduce costs without impacting student services. Committee Chair Lauren Laws emphasized the need to be creative in finding savings.

"I would like to see the possibility of cost savings, like when we went from 10 buses to 8 buses," Laws said. "Is there places in the budget where we can have more savings by looking at enrollment and how things are?"

The committee also discussed the potential of charging for bus services, though there was uncertainty about whether this was allowed under current regulations. Proulx agreed to research the issue and provide clarification at a future meeting.

In other business, the committee heard a presentation from Candy Kniffen, chairman of the committee to support the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in Halifax. Kniffen urged the school committee to support adopting the CPA, noting that Halifax is the only town in the region not enrolled in the program.

The CPA allows communities to set aside funds for historical preservation, open space and recreation, and affordable housing. Kniffen explained that the average household cost in Halifax would be $80 per year, with abatements available for those who cannot afford it.

"We don't see a downside to this, but when it comes to schools, we really think they could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the CPA funding," Kniffen said.

She outlined potential benefits for schools, including restoration of historical sites for field trips, renovation of walking trails, and improvements to playgrounds. Kniffen also noted that CPA funds come with a state matching grant, averaging 26% over the last five years.

The CPA will appear as Question 6 on the November ballot in Halifax. Kniffen encouraged committee members and the public to learn more about the act and support its adoption.

Principal Kayne Beaudry provided updates on school operations, including the transition to fewer bus routes. He reported that the change has not significantly impacted parent drop-off or pick-up numbers, and there has been no increase in bus misconduct reports despite more students per bus.

Beaudry noted that the biggest adjustment has been the shift to group bus stops. "That's been the biggest hurdle, I think, is probably working with the bus company and maybe making some of the adjustments with the group stops," he said.

The committee also reviewed enrollment data, which showed Halifax has a total of 1,069 students across the district. The overall district enrollment stands at 3,610 students.