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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee on February 11 voted to add its competency determination requirements for high school graduation to its policy manual.
They also updated the district’s graduation requirements.
In November, voters approved a measure eliminating the MCAS tests as a requirement to earn a high school diploma. As a result, communities across the Commonwealth had to develop what they will use to determine competency instead.
In Spencer-East Brookfield’s case, that will be having students complete two of three categories.
The first category requires a minimum grade of 70 in English I, II and III, Algebra I or Algebra II and Geometry or equivalent courses as well as in either a biology, chemistry, physics or physical science course.
The second category is attendance for 90% of the school year for at least two of the three years (freshman, sophomore or junior).
The third category is to obtain a score of proficiency on the math and English/Language Arts MCAS exams. They must obtain a score of needs improvement or higher on the science/technology MCAS exam.
Another option in this category is to complete a David Prouty High School Subject Area Portfolio Exam with a grade of 70 or above. Students may be referred for a portfolio option by their teacher.
School Committee member Heather Messier, who is on the policy subcommittee, noted from it that students who do not meet the requirements will be supported in grades 11 and 12 and must pass classes in relevant subjects in those grades or make up coursework in grades 10 and 11 that meet the standards of Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
Repeating the course or using the credit recovery program in the summer are possible.
In addition, students must also complete graduation requirements as follows: four courses each in English, math, physical education/wellness and social studies; three science courses; two courses in music/fine arts and eight credits in electives for non-CTE (career and technical education) students and three credits in CTE coursework for those in that program.
In another matter, Haughey noted the FY26 budget currently has $869,000 more than what the minimum local contribution (MLC) would require ($10,668,461).
He said they have a lot of work to do to get the numbers down to that MLC. He recommended that another budget workshop be held, which the committee scheduled on March 4.
Haughey said it is important to provide updates “not only to the committee but also the community and make sure everybody is on point.”
He said the goal is to get to the minimum local contribution but to do so would require “tightening our belts significantly and making some sacrifices for the common good and most importantly for the good of our students, staff and district as a whole.”
The superintendent added he hopes to hold a public hearing and certify the budget on March 11.
Haughey also spoke about the cell phone policy that is being worked on. He said Spencer-East Brookfield’s district does not allow phones during the school day, a stance in line with a bill moving through the legislature that can be found on the Attorney General’s website.
He said the bill prohibits access during the school day, with the proposed ban described as “from bell to bell, there will be no cell.”
That policy, along with one on artificial intelligence (AI) will be brought back to the committee for a vote later this year.
