Acushnet School Committee Votes to Pursue New Bedford, Old Rochester Tuition Deals

ACUSHNET — December 10, 2025 — Acushnet School Committee votes unanimously to open high school tuition negotiations with New Bedford and Old Rochester Regional. The 5-0 vote at the December 10 meeting authorizes representatives to pursue agreements with both districts for the 2026-2027 school year, ending a months-long evaluation of four potential partner schools that also included Fairhaven High School and Apponequet Regional. A second 5-0 vote authorized continued talks with Fairhaven toward a long-term agreement, though Fairhaven's school committee had signaled a preference for exclusivity as the district's sole "small school option" — a condition multiple Acushnet members called a non-starter. School Business Manager Alva presented a per-pupil analysis arguing the district has roughly $11,400 available per student for tuition after transportation costs, well below the rates sought by some partners; Fairhaven School Committee Chair Brian Monroe disputed the figures in public comment, calling the district's financial characterization "irrefutable" in Fairhaven's favor. The committee also approved an amendment to the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative's capital reserve policy, raising the deposit ceiling from $500,000 to $2 million.