Superintendent's Update: Friday, April 29, 2022

The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, I would like to express my gratitude to our faculty and staff, and all employees, for the work they do to ensure the success of our students. Teaching is a calling, not a profession, and I am honored that our teachers have chosen our District as a place to make a difference in the lives of others.

I encourage you to join me in appreciating our educators this week by sending your child’s educator(s) a quick email thanking them for all they have done this year. A simple note is often the most powerful way to show teachers you appreciate their work.

Respectfully,

Gregory L. Martineau

Superintendent of Schools

Annual Town Meetings and Elections - Save the Dates

I want to thank the citizens of Northborough for the approval of The Public Schools of Northborough PreK-8 Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Northborough’s apportionment of the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District's Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. On May 4, 2022, the Town of Southborough will hold its Annual Town Meeting at the Algonquin Regional High School J.F.K. Auditorium.

Northborough Annual Town Meeting Date: April 25 and 26, 2022 (Completed)

Southborough Annual Town Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 4, and Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 6:30 PM

Meeting Location: Algonquin Regional High School Auditorium

Annual Town Elections Date: May 10, 2022

Northborough - 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

All voting at Melican Middle School, 145 Lincoln Street

Southborough - 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM

All voting at Trottier Middle School Gym, 49 Parkerville Road

Athletic Campus Improvements Project

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, Gale Associates presented the Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Campus Improvements Project schematic design and cost estimates to the Regional School Committee. The presentation can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Gale Associates Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Campus Improvements Presentation

Neary Building Committee - Article 16

Neary School Building Committee

2022 Annual Town Meeting – Article 16

Request for Feasibility Study Funds

Summary: At the 2022 Southborough Annual Town Meeting, Article 16 will seek to appropriate $950,000 to perform a Feasibility Study for the Margaret A. Neary School. Originally opened in 1970, Margaret A. Neary School has not had significant capital investments since 2000. This Feasibility Study will analyze potential options to bring this school building up to modern educational standards, including but not limited to renovation, expansion, or new construction.

What work has been done to get to this stage?

For two years, a collaboration of The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough's Administration, Southborough town officials, the Southborough School Committee, the Southborough Capital Planning Committee, and more specifically, the Capital Planning – School Research Subcommittee have conducted research around projected school enrollment, ideal grade configurations, and conducted space needs studies using the existing school infrastructure.

What are the major recommendations?

The Public Schools of Southborough can be consolidated from four to three schools if appropriate infrastructure is put into place for the Margaret A. Neary School to accommodate Grades 2-5.

Mary E. Finn School should remain an early childhood school, especially with the possibility of universal Pre-K in the future.
Both Margaret A. Neary and Mary E. Finn sites allow for expansion of the current footprint if enrollment projections unexpectedly increase in the future.
P. Brent Trottier Middle School should be maintained as Grade 6-8 with the potential to house School Administration that currently resides in Neary.

What does this article not do?

It does not fund the construction or renovation of Margaret A. Neary School. A future Town Meeting will decide what should occur based on the outcome of the Feasibility Study.

If grade consolidation occurs, it does not commit any funding for a potential Community Center at the current Albert S. Woodward Memorial School.

How do I access the studies that have been completed to date?

To view the completed reports and studies performed to date, please visit: Town of Southborough Website

Community Collaboration Between our District and StoryBridge - Seeking Volunteers

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a keynote presentation by local author Jennifer De Leon. Jennifer inspired us with her story and the power of telling stories. This community event was sponsored by the Coalition for Equity and The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough. This also signified the launch of an exciting Community collaboration between our District and StoryBridge, led by Jennifer De Leon and her husband, Adam Stumacher.

This partnership will focus on Jennifer and Adam supporting ten individuals in writing and workshopping their stories which they will ultimately share at a community celebration in October 2022. The goal is for students (over the age of 14), family members, community members, and educators to tell their stories so that we can connect with each other in new ways. Please view these slides, including videos, to better explain the upcoming event and the opportunity.