Berlin-Boylston School Committee Approves Three International Student Trips for 2027 and 2028

BERLIN — January 13, 2026 — Berlin-Boylston Regional School District School Committee unanimously approved three international student travel programs at its January 13 meeting. The committee voted to authorize the Tahanto World Explorers Club for trips to Italy in April 2027 and Germany in April 2028, and separately approved a French, Spanish, and art class trip to France and Spain in April 2027, with teachers noting that each trip involves no more than one school day beyond school vacation week and that chaperones will receive formal training through the district attorney's office. The committee also appointed Administrative Secretary Jen Fortune as the new district clerk, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of six-year member Lori Hart, who told the board in parting remarks that she hoped her replacement would be "someone without an agenda." Superintendent Al reported that terms have been agreed upon with incoming Superintendent-elect Dr. Conway and that a final contract signature is expected imminently, with the committee entering executive session to review contract language. Business Manager Aaron flagged an apparent $500,000 health insurance budget discrepancy that he attributed to unposted employee withholdings — a data-entry issue, not a cash shortfall — and projected an 18 percent health insurance cost increase for fiscal year 2027.