Acushnet School Committee votes to move fifth grade back to elementary school

ACUSHNET — April 15, 2026 — Acushnet School Committee unanimously approved moving fifth grade back to the elementary school and advanced a constraint-driven FY27 budget requesting $1 million more from the town. Superintendent Dr. Bailey and Business Manager Aldo Petronio presented four budget scenarios at the April 15 meeting, warning that a level-funded budget — which the town asked all departments to prepare — would require 21 staff reductions, roughly 16 percent of the district's 130-person workforce. The recommended constraint-driven budget, totaling $17,691,457, still requires eight position eliminations and cuts to operations, maintenance, and professional development, bringing the cumulative three-year reduction to 22 positions if approved. The committee noted that Acushnet ranked 388th out of 395 Massachusetts school districts in per-pupil spending in FY24, at $16,082 against a state average of $23,165. The board also voted unanimously to name the Ford Middle School store the Judith Ford Lateef School Store, funded by a $20,000 family donation, and to opt out of state school choice participation for the coming year. A joint budget meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee was scheduled for the following evening.