Easton School Committee Unanimously Opts Out of School Choice for 2026-27

EASTON -- May 28, 2026, Easton School Committee votes 5-0 to opt out of inter-district school choice for 2026-27, citing lack of classroom space and financial uncertainty. Superintendent Dr. Christine Cabral explained that the state's school choice tuition cap, set at $5,000 in 1992 and unchanged since, falls far short of Easton's per-pupil expenditure of roughly $18,000, making the program a net financial burden. Chair Jackie Wiseman said the decision felt like "rolling the dice" given enrollment and budget unknowns. The board also unanimously approved Oliver Ames High School's two-years-in-development Vision of a Learner standards, four soft-skill frameworks covering character and resilience, communication and collaboration, global engagement, and curiosity and innovation, drafted by English teacher Mrs. Campbell and administrator interns Mr. Koutros and Mrs. Campbell from faculty workshops and student focus groups, with a visual designed by senior Angie Romero. The board approved contracts with BearCom for 80 district security radios through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement and with Gustavo Preston Company for a domestic water booster replacement at $87,605.55, and rated outgoing Superintendent Dr. Cabral proficient on her formative evaluation without requiring a formal presentation, noting her June 30 departure and the incoming superintendent's imminent new evaluation cycle.