School Committee Approves Wellness Policy Update
The Norton School Committee heard that district enrollment fell by 111 students since June, with Superintendent Jennifer M O'Neill warning of looming budget strain.
School Committee · Meeting of October 7, 2026
NORTON — The Norton School Committee heard that district enrollment fell by 111 students since June, with Superintendent Jennifer M O'Neill warning of looming budget strain. The committee gave final approval to a revised wellness policy by unanimous voice vote and named a delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' November 6 annual business meeting in Danvers. O'Neill said the district's kindergarten class of 133 students is its smallest in years, school choice enrollment dropped from 208 to 184 students, and 27 students left for Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School this year, up from about 17 previously.
Member Dan Sheedy raised concerns about high schoolers driving themselves rather than riding buses, saying "I don't think anyone really knows exactly where to point the finger." O'Neill cautioned that losing 80 students a year would create "significant difficulties" funding the district's educational model.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,754 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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