Understanding the Proposed Regional Agreement: A White Paper The Quabbin Regional School District School Committee is proposing a new Regional Agreement which will govern the K-12 regional school district of Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree and Oakham. The Regional Agreement, which is currently in effect, was drafted and accepted by member communities in conjunction with the acceptance of New Braintree to the regional school district in March, 1985. The Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1993 (MERA) negates much of what is contained in the 1985 agreement. But, why propose changes now – more than 20 years after MERA? As funding for education remains stagnant at the federal and state levels, and district reserves continue to decline, member towns are asked to bridge that gap, creating financial strain on local budgets. It becomes ever clearer that structural changes to the regional school district can make the district more efficient and cost effective. Language defining the procedures to reconfigure grades within a school, transfer students between towns, and to close schools, is included in the proposed agreement. A Regional Agreement - Defined In addition to the many other Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs) that govern regional school districts, MGL Chapter 71, Section 14B states the requirements that must be included in the Regional Agreement of a regional school district. The Regional Agreement must contain and define nine components, which are not otherwise determined by statute. These components include: Defining the regional district school committee including the total number of members, the number of members from each town, the method of selection of members, and terms of office of the members. Where schools will be located. The type of regional district. (Quabbin Regional School District is an academic region.) The method of apportioning the expenses of the regional school district, the method of apportioning the costs of school construction, and the time and manner of payment of the shares of the member towns of these expenses. The method by which school transportation shall be provided, and the manner by which the expenses shall be shared by the member towns. How a town may be admitted to or separated from the regional school district.
Understanding the Proposed Regional Agreement: A White Paper The Quabbin Regional School District School Committee is proposing a new Regional Agreement which will govern the K-12 regional school district of Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree and Oakham. The Regional Agreement, which is currently in effect, was drafted and accepted by member communities in conjunction with the acceptance of New Braintree to the regional school district in March, 1985. The Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1993 (MERA) negates much of what is contained in the 1985 agreement. But, why propose changes now – more than 20 years after MERA? As funding for education remains stagnant at the federal and state levels, and district reserves continue to decline, member towns are asked to bridge that gap, creating financial strain on local budgets. It becomes ever clearer that structural changes to the regional school district can make the district more efficient and cost effective. Language defining the procedures to reconfigure grades within a school, transfer students between towns, and to close schools, is included in the proposed agreement. A Regional Agreement - Defined In addition to the many other Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs) that govern regional school districts, MGL Chapter 71, Section 14B states the requirements that must be included in the Regional Agreement of a regional school district. The Regional Agreement must contain and define nine components, which are not otherwise determined by statute. These components include: Defining the regional district school committee including the total number of members, the number of members from each town, the method of selection of members, and terms of office of the members. Where schools will be located. The type of regional district. (Quabbin Regional School District is an academic region.) The method of apportioning the expenses of the regional school district, the method of apportioning the costs of school construction, and the time and manner of payment of the shares of the member towns of these expenses. The method by which school transportation shall be provided, and the manner by which the expenses shall be shared by the member towns. How a town may be admitted to or separated from the regional school district.
White-Paper.docx