Marlborough School Committee rejects school choice for seventh year

MARLBOROUGH — May 11, 2021 — Marlborough School Committee declines school choice and locks in tiered graduation. The committee voted unanimously to reject school choice for 2021-2022 on Superintendent Michael Bergeron's seventh consecutive recommendation, citing class-size goals and a gap between the $5,000 state reimbursement and roughly $20,000 in per-pupil cost at the high school. Principal Daniel Riley, newly credentialed with a doctorate from UMass, detailed a June 5 graduation in three waves of up to 90 graduates at Noble Field, with five guests per student and a new standing-room track area for seniors who want to attend multiple ceremonies. Class advisors Sarah Casey and Leah Canonico described a June 4 Red Carpet Gala replacing prom, keeping attendance within the state's 250-person outdoor cap. Bergeron reported six active district COVID-19 cases and signaled he will adopt the state's new three-foot close-contact rule. The committee also approved roughly $32,000 in FY21 transfers.