Acushnet School Committee approves bullying plan, moves toward union contract ratification

ACUSHNET — January 14, 2026 — Acushnet School Committee re-approved its Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan and ratified two union contracts in executive session at its January 14 meeting. The committee voted unanimously five times across the evening, accepting a $100 donation from the Crescent Fire and Police Departments for a school holiday event and a set of musical instruments from donor Sandra Medeiros. Food Service Director Michelle Mello reported the district received approximately $28,000 in USDA funding for a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program now running twice weekly at the elementary school. The district's technology director reported a completed districtwide wireless infrastructure refresh done entirely in-house and said an E-Rate Category 2 firewall application is pending, referencing a prior Category 2 award of over $110,000. The most pressing long-term concern aired was the district's circa-1971 boilers, which have required ongoing costly repairs including a nearly $1,800 pump motor replacement, prompting Dr. Bailey to call for formal cost tracking and incorporation into a five-year capital plan.