Diane Baum

Changes in AB youth behavior: Youth Risk Behavior Survey

December 21, 2024

by Diane Baum

Survey results from the 2024 Emerson Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were released earlier this fall and shared with the School Committee at their December 5 business meeting. The presentation was made by Heather Stouch, Acton-Boxborough’s Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning and Mental and Behavioral Health, and relates…

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November 2024 School Committee Update

November 27, 2024

by Diane Baum

Acton-Boxborough student creates immersive scavenger hunt to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War Acton-Boxborough junior and Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 32, Aaryan Arora, was recognized at the November 14 School Committee meeting for his collaboration with Acton’s 250 Committee to create an American Revolution-themed scavenger…

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School Committee Update, October 24, 2024 Meeting

November 2, 2024

by Diane Baum

Congressman Jim McGovern and State Officials Tour ABRHS Food Services U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern, who represents the cities and towns in the second congressional district of Massachusetts and who has spent decades fighting to end food insecurity, paid a visit to Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) on Monday,…

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School Committee October 2024 Update

October 19, 2024

by Diane Baum

Community members weigh in on ballot question 2 Former school committee members John Petersen and Xuan Kong spoke to the School Committee during the October 10 public comment period to encourage a no-vote on Question 2 on the November 5 state ballot. Question 2 proposes to eliminate the…

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School Committee September 2024 Update

September 27, 2024

by Diane Baum

School Committee Approves School Resource Officer Program for 2024-25 In a divided vote at their September 19 business meeting, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee narrowly approved an agreement between the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District and the Acton Police Department regarding the School Resource Officer program, an action that…

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School Committee considers approval of cell tower for Charter Road campus

August 30, 2024

by Diane Baum

Cellular coverage may greatly improve on Charter Road this coming year with the expected installation of a cellular communication tower. The school district is proposing to lease a 50-by-50-foot space behind the district’s Administration Building at 23 Charter Road to TowerCo, one of the largest privately-owned companies in…

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School Committee June Update

July 5, 2024

by Diane Baum

School Committee Summer Workshop Focuses on Strategic Budgeting The School Committee held its annual summer workshop on June 24, which featured author, consultant, and speaker Nate Levenson of New Solutions K12. Levenson has helped over 250 school districts deploy creative solutions to decrease spending while maintaining high standards…

Two women pose proudly. The mom is smiling broadly and the daughter has her arm over her mother's shoulders. She's wearing the Minuteman blue and gold cap and gown.

High School Graduations, 2024

June 14, 2024

Diane BaumandFranny Osman

AB High School Class of 2024 graduation goes off without a hitch Students, families and friends gathered on Leary Field on June 7 to celebrate the 407 member Acton-Boxborough Regional High School graduating class of 2024. Principal Joanie Dean recognized graduating students for their resiliency, compassion and positivity,…

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School Committee end-of-year update

June 14, 2024

by Diane Baum

School Committee Considers a New Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Policy Policy Subcommittee Chair Liz Fowlks reported on June 6 that the subcommittee has been working with the district Energy Manager, Kate Crosby, to develop a Zero Emissions Vehicles policy. If approved, the new policy, which was presented to…

The AB upper gym is packed with voters for the first night of Town Meeting.

Acton Town Meeting approves school budgets: Articles 7 and 8

May 7, 2024

by Diane Baum

The Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Assessment and Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School District Assessment were both approved at the May 6 town meeting. Article 7 On May 6, Acton Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved Article 7, which permits the Town to fund Acton’s portion of the Acton-Boxborough Regional…

Photo of AB Regional High School Facade.

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Ranked 10th Best High School in the State

April 27, 2024

by Diane Baum

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School has been ranked the 10th best high school out of 351 high schools in Massachusetts. The ranking was part of the 2024 annual report of the best high schools, published by U.S. News & World Report. Nationally, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School received a ranking…

Ballot boxes at Acton Town Hall.

Acton Will Vote on a $6.6M Tax Override at Local Election on April 30

April 12, 2024

Diane BaumandMarion Maxwell

On April 30, Acton voters will go to the polls to decide if the town will move forward with a $6.6M permanent increase in taxation over and above the 2 ½ percent plus new growth of about ½%, currently permitted under state law. The last time Acton voters…

Acton-Boxborough School Committee Meeting

School Committee April 4 Meeting Update

April 12, 2024

by Diane Baum

Minimal disruption to school day despite two power outages The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School briefly lost power just prior to the start of the school day on April 4 due to a transformer failure. The power failure occurred just as high school students were stepping off the bus.…

School District Energy Manager Kate Crosby leads visitors on a tour of the Boardwalk School.

School Committee March 2024 Meetings

March 29, 2024

by Diane Baum

New Boardwalk Campus Wins Award for Excellence in Energy Design Boston-based architecture and design firm, Arrowstreet, was recently awarded the 2023 New Construction Design of the Year Energy Excellence Award by Eversource for the design of the Boardwalk Campus building, which houses the Gates and Douglas Elementary Schools…

Acton-Boxborough School Committee Chair Adam Klein and Superintendent Peter LIght at the School’s “Budget Saturday” meeting.

Acton-Boxborough School Committee February News Update

February 28, 2024

by Diane Baum

After a day-long “Budget Saturday” workshop on February 10 and a subsequent budget discussion on February 15, the School Committee voted unanimously to set the 2024-25 recommended Acton-Boxborough Regional School District budget at $114,380,105. Both meetings were recorded and are available at Acton TV’s government channel. The budget…

Acton-Boxborough School Committee Chair Adam Klein and Superintendent Peter LIght at the School’s “Budget Saturday” meeting.

Acton-Boxborough School Committee February News Update

February 28, 2024

by Diane Baum

After a day-long “Budget Saturday” workshop on February 10 and a subsequent budget discussion on February 15, the School Committee voted unanimously to set the 2024-25 recommended Acton-Boxborough Regional School District budget at $114,380,105. Both meetings were recorded and are available at Acton TV’s government channel. The budget reflects…