Considered costly and risky, Superintendent of Schools has long advocated against adopting School Choice for Northborough public schools.
The Northborough School Committee unanimously agreed, voting it out at the last meeting. Each year, school committees must vote to not adopt School Choice or it will automatically be implemented. The committee has never been in favor of School Choice, "from a philosophically standpoint, as well," said Superintendent of Schools Charles Gobron.
School Choice allows a fixed number of students from out of town to attend Northborough schools. With it comes $5,000 per student from the state. Gobron said the cost per pupil is presently $13,000.
If School Choice were implemented, the district is committed to the rest of the student's stay through grade 8, and it's unclear whether it would have to continue through grade 12, given that Algonquin is a separate school district.
"Space is a concern right now," added Gobron, who added that there is also no choice in the students who are accepted, as it is done by lottery.
If School Choice is not voted on by June 1 each school year, it is automatically enrolled in the district. Algonquin, too, has historically rejected it.