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Our district is updating how middle schools are organized to make sure every student has the same high-quality learning opportunities—no matter where they live.This new structure will:

• Create a more consistent middle school experience for all students across the city.
• Give every student access to a wider range of classes, electives, and academic programs.
• Help us use staff and resources more effectively so we can support students even better.

In short, we’re making these changes to give all middle schoolers more opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for high school.

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The new middle school structure is designed to give every student more opportunities to learn and grow. Some key benefits include:

• More focused learning: Students will learn in grade-level teams where teachers specialize in meeting the needs of that specific age group.
• More class choices: Expanded elective options will allow students to explore new interests—such as art, music, world languages, and technology.
• Early career exploration: The new model will create space for introductory Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, helping students discover their strengths and passions early on.
• Stronger support systems: Schools will be able to use flexible teaching and teaming models that give both students and staff more targeted support and collaboration time.

Overall, this change helps ensure that every middle schooler has access to engaging classes, caring teachers, and the resources they need to succeed.

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We don’t need to finalize every decision right away. However, some key planning steps must be completed by December to stay on schedule for the new middle school structure.

This timeline was set so the district has enough time to prepare for things like student transportation, staffing, and scheduling before the new structure begins.

If the December milestones aren’t met, the School Committee’s vote in February means the start of the new structure would be delayed by one year—from the 2026–2027 school year to 2027–2028.

Meeting this timeline helps ensure a smooth transition for students, families, and staff.

• How will their needs be met?
• How many staff will be available?
• What is the accessibility of Services?

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How will the needs of Multilingual Learners be met?Every Multilingual Learner will receive the support they need to succeed in all classes.Specialized Multilingual Learner (ML) Teachers will work with students based on their individual English language levels, as shown by their WIDA assessment and classroom performance.

How many staff will be available?Each school will have qualified ML teachers who provide instruction and support directly to students. The number of staff is based on the number of Multilingual Learners at each school, so services can meet students’ specific needs.

What is the accessibility of services?ML services will be provided during the regular school day and will be fully accessible to all eligible students. Teachers will also collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure that language support is built into students’ everyday learning.

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The district is fully committed to making sure that every student continues to receive the special education services and supports outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) — without interruption.

All current services, accommodations, and supports will stay in place and will continue to be provided by qualified special education staff. The new middle school structure is designed to make it easier for teachers and specialists to work together so that every student’s unique learning needs are met.

Families will hear directly from the Special Education leadership team as planning moves forward. They will share information, answer questions, and make sure parents understand exactly how services will be provided in the new structure.

Our top priority is to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for every student receiving special education services.

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Each middle school - Herberg and Reid - will have two full-time School Adjustment Counselors (SACs) dedicated to supporting students’ social, emotional, and mental well-being. These counselors will be available to meet with students individually and in groups, helping to ensure a safe and supportive school environment.

As planning continues, school and district staff will review whether any adjustments to the current staffing model are needed to best meet the developmental needs of students as they transition into grade-based schools. No matter what, the district’s priority is to make sure students have the same level of support - or even more - during the first year of the new structure.

Staffing and support models will continue to be reviewed and refined in the second and third years to ensure that every student’s academic, social, and emotional needs are fully met as the new model takes shape.

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Absolutely. The district’s commitment to providing a high-quality, equitable education includes every student, not just those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).The middle school restructuring is designed to benefit all learners by creating clear grade-level structures, focused instruction, and more program opportunities for every child.Here’s how we make sure no student “slips through the cracks”:

• Ongoing monitoring: Teachers and support staff regularly check each student’s academic and social-emotional progress using classroom assessments and tools like the Panorama surveys.
• Targeted support: When a student needs extra help in a specific area, they receive timely, research-based interventions (called Tier 2 or Tier 3 supports) that match their needs—even if they don’t have an IEP.
• Specialized staff: Each school will have counselors, reading and math specialists, and other trained professionals who work with general education students needing additional academic or emotional support.

Our goal is for every student to be seen, supported, and successful—no matter their learning profile or background.

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We know that bus ride times are very important to families, and this is a key factor in our middle school planning.

Right now, the district uses a two-tier transportation system, and we are studying whether a three-tier system could make routes shorter and more efficient.

Our transportation team is conducting a detailed review of all bus routes and schedules to make sure ride times are as short as possible. The goal is to keep all student rides under one hour whenever possible.

As soon as the new routes and schedules are finalized, we will share detailed information with all families so everyone knows what to expect.

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The specific start and end times for the upcoming school year remain undetermined. We have determined that a three-tier transportation system will be necessary to support the middle school restructuring. Establishing a definitive schedule is contingent upon receiving the final scenarios from Bus Operations, which will indicate how long each tier will take. Once this critical information is provided to the central office, proposals for the start and end times will be drafted, followed by consultations with the three respective bargaining units. We are committed to providing an update on the finalized schedule as soon as this information becomes available.Any changes to school start and end times will depend on the final transportation plan. Right now, the district uses a two-tier bus system. It’s likely that moving to a three-tier system will be needed to make transportation more efficient; thus. school hours will need to be adjusted.

This review is one of our top priorities, and families will be informed well in advance once decisions about start and end times are made.

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Yes, the district currently has enough bus drivers to operate the routes. That said, bus driver positions are sometimes hard to fill, and the district is actively working on ways to recruit and retain drivers to keep transportation running smoothly.

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Students will be eligible for bus transportation based on how far they live from their school. The district uses a distance-based system to make sure buses serve students who need them most. Students receive bus transportation if they live over 1.5 miles from the school building.

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Ensuring we have enough licensed and highly qualified teachers is a top priority in the middle school restructuring plan. The district is carefully reviewing staffing needs to make sure every grade and program is fully supported.

Our hiring strategy focuses on recruiting and retaining teachers with the right expertise, and we are committed to keeping student-to-teacher ratios at appropriate levels to support high-quality learning.

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We anticipate maintaining a student-to-staff ratio averaging 20-22 students and no more than 25 students per instructional period.

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The district understands that large-scale changes can create uncertainty for staff. However, other districts that have made similar transitions have found the new 5th/6th grade campus to be a highly desirable teaching assignment.To proactively address staffing needs, the district has developed a Staff Retention and Recruitment Strategy, including:

• Early communication and support: Staff will receive timely, clear information about the restructuring, their potential roles, and opportunities for specialized professional development to support a smooth transition.
• Voluntary placement process: Teachers will have a collaborative process to determine grade-level assignments within the new structure, considering their licensure and preferences to maximize satisfaction and stability.

These measures are designed to ensure that every grade is fully staffed and that teachers are supported throughout the transition.

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Yes. Currently, a School Resource Officer (SRO) is shared between Herberg Middle School and Reid Middle School, and this arrangement is expected to remain the same under the new structure.