Superintendent Erin Obey initiated the Fiscal Year 2027 budget cycle by presenting a $41,280,729 maintenance of effort forecast, representing an $823,679 increase over current spending to maintain existing services at next year’s prices. The preliminary figure accounts for a projected 3.04% rise in special education tuition and ongoing contract negotiations with the Teachers Association. Obey noted that while out-of-district placements have stabilized, tuition costs remain a variable, recalling a sharp 14% spike two years ago. Chair David Boyle emphasized the early arrival of these figures to ensure community transparency, stating, People always talk about transparency. Here it is. We're putting it out there in December. I've heard people say, 'We didn't know about this.' I'm going to say respectfully, you're probably not paying attention. You don't figure out the house is on fire until it's actually on fire.

The committee also reviewed building-level School Improvement Plans, sparked by a debate over the modern practice of weekend and late-night digital homework deadlines. Pembroke High School Principal Mark Talbot reported that the school is reconsidering electronic submission times that often fall at 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays or midnight on Sundays. When I was teaching, a paper was due when the period met, Talbot said. Now, we have the ability to collect work electronically at midnight on a Sunday. Is the midnight deadline creating a perception that outweighs its value? I am hearing your concerns about a deadline at 10:00 on a Saturday night. Vice Chair Allison Glennon shared her experience as a parent, noting that sometimes sleeping in and getting up with a fresh brain in the morning to do it works better than staying up until midnight. Student Representative Joe supported the shift, mentioning he prefers teachers who require submissions before the morning bell to protect student downtime.

Elementary and middle school leaders detailed shifts toward executive functioning and early childhood readiness. North Pembroke Elementary Principal Mr. Murphy announced a new spring boot camp and to-go bags for incoming preschoolers to bridge the gap in academic expectations. At the middle school, Principal Donna highlighted backpack cleanups as a core strategy for teaching students how to be learners, while Bryantville Principal Jenna expressed caution regarding screen time, stating the focus is on utilizing programs correctly rather than just being 'on' the screen. Member Katrina Scarsciotti questioned how the success of these new goals would be tracked, prompting Talbot to explain that the high school would utilize a two-year rubric blending the district's vision of a graduate with applied learning tenants. Member Susan Bollinger inquired about historical trends in special education costs, which Obey noted typically hover between 2% and 4%.

The committee addressed a critical participation shortage in winter cheerleading, which currently has only four students enrolled despite requiring eight for a squad. To preserve the program, the board moved to seek a waiver from the MSAA. Motion Made by A. Glennon to approve filing an MSAA waiver for cheerleading. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Superintendent Obey noted that while youth cheer remains strong in Pembroke, high school participation often drops due to the variety of winter sport options.

District-wide policy updates concluded the session, as the board finalized language regarding equal access to K-12 programming. Motion Made by A. Glennon to approve Policy ACB, Equal Access and Annual Evaluation of K-12 Programming. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Motion Made by A. Glennon to approve Policy AC-R, Equal Access and Annual Evaluation of K-12 Programming Procedures. Motion Passed (5-0-0). The committee also formally accepted the previous month's records. Motion Made by A. Glennon to approve the school committee meeting minutes of November 18th, 2025. Motion Passed (5-0-0).