Northbridge Schools Approve Japan Trip, SIP Plans

School Committee · Meeting of October 13, 2026

Northbridge School Committee approved a spring Japan trip and new building-level improvement plans in a single meeting. Members voted 5-0 to authorize an EF Educational Tours trip to Japan, with a $250 discount for enrollment by October 31 and an additional $100 off for signing up by November 11. The committee also approved School Improvement Plans for all three schools built around a "portrait of a graduate" framework, including a middle school goal of 90 percent classroom discussion-protocol use by June.

Finance staff reported fiscal 2026 expenses came in $813,740, or 2.48 percent, under the $32.876 million budget, with one member warning that "it's impacting the student experience" to leave positions unfilled, and another noting current vacancies run about $140,000 under budget monthly. A retired educator, George, told the committee during public comment he worries about the 60 percent of students who are "in the middle" and disengaged from school.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,532 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.