The two options under consideration by the school committee include:
- Option 4: Consolidate to 5 K-6 schools by merging Merriam and McCarthy-Towne, and relocating the Conant school community to the available space
- Option 5, Version 2 (5.2): Hybrid Grade-Band Model: Blanchard remains K-6, while Boardwalk and Parker Damon Campuses are split into Lower Schools (K-3) and Upper Schools (4-6).
In addition to the discussion about each of the options, the School Committee is currently considering three different options for enrollment of students:
- Minimizing the breadth of disruption by assigning students from the Conant Elementary School to the Parker Damon and Boardwalk Buildings on a space-available basis.
- Balancing disruption across all schools by having all elementary students participate in a new lottery process.
- Balancing disruption across schools by moving toward school-based assignments based on residence or neighborhood, as opposed to the current open enrollment system.
As communications from both Superintendent Peter Light and Principal Christina Gavin have affirmed – none of these options have a pathway for Merriam School to exist in its current form. This is a difficult crossroads to be present in as a community and we know that this uncertainty about what the next academic year will be like is impacting staff, students, and families in a significant way. The PTO will be organizing in-person and virtual opportunities for the Merriam community to gather for discussion and details will be forthcoming. If you have questions about meeting attendance or participation, please contact Suzy (suzytompkins@yahoo.com) or Kim (kcanuette AT gmail DOT com).
You can review materials available on the AB Forward website and consider attending these upcoming meetings:
Acton Boxborough Regional School Committee Meeting – Thursday January 8th 6:30pm
- School Committee Final Public Hearing on AB Forward Final Options
- There is a 75-minute community listening session scheduled during this meeting.
- Because many speakers are expected to participate, Superintendent Light recommends preparing comments of about 45 seconds. If your comments are longer, please submit them via the AB Forward Public Comment Form. Comments received before 9:00 AM on the morning of the meeting will be published in the packet.
Acton Boxborough Regional School Committee Meeting – Thursday January 22nd 6:30pm
- School Committee makes final decision on one preferred option for reorganization
If you are unable to attend the school committee meetings or have information that you would like to share that are more comprehensive than can be communicated in the limitations of public comment portions of the meetings you can also contact the committee by email and can find their contact information here: Acton-Boxborough Regional School District – Members