The Pembroke School Committee is preparing to formalize its stance on state-level athletic policies following a wave of public testimony during Tuesday night’s meeting regarding the participation of biological males in female sports divisions. Several residents and public figures urged the committee to pressure the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) to prioritize biological sex over gender identity, citing concerns over physical safety and competitive fairness in local athletics. Resident Chrissy Nelson told the board that playing against male athletes endangers our girls physically and emotionally, adding that the district should shift our focus onto women's equality and what is fair just like our mothers and our grandmothers have done for women's rights for many generations before us.

The emotional testimony included a story from Jean Comfort, who described her granddaughter’s severe injury during a basketball game and questioned the long-term risks of mixed-sex competition in contact sports. By us allowing boys to play on girls' teams, we're setting them up for failure for all the hard work that they put in, Comfort said. So, please consider that if it's your 12-year-old, do you want them to get pummeled by a boy by accident? Claire Abernathy, identifying as a detransitioned woman and public figure, argued that sex differences are measurable from birth and that current inclusion policies result in the erasure of girls' categories and girls' opportunities. Simon Amaya Price echoed these sentiments, stating that parents expect you to tell the truth to their kids, and asserting that there are only two sexes. Jane Cornin added that obvious biological truths must not be treated like hate, urging the committee to protect the integrity of female categories established over hundreds of years.

Providing a different perspective, Carrie O'Brien cautioned against shifting the current MIAA policy, noting that mandated biological sex policies would paradoxically force transgender boys taking testosterone onto girls' teams, creating the very physical advantage opponents seek to avoid. O'Brien highlighted the high rates of bullying among transgender youth, noting that high school sports are supposed to be the antidote to that isolation. They teach leadership and teamwork, things we should be inviting every student to experience, not rationing out based on genetics.

While the committee does not engage in debate during public comment, the intensity of the feedback prompted Member Katrina Delaney to request a formal agenda item for a future meeting to discuss drafting a letter to the MIAA. I think it's really important that we have a discussion about potentially writing an MIAA letter... given the community's concern that we should talk about that and even possibly revisit the discussion on policy, Delaney said. Vice Chair Allison Glennon agreed on the need for a formal discussion but emphasized the need for legal caution, stating, I'd like to get legal opinion as well because I don't want to violate mass general law.

In a significant move for district labor relations, the committee finalized several major collective bargaining agreements with the Pembroke Teachers Association. Union Representative Kate Nent thanked the committee for the very long process and expressed appreciation for the effort put into the negotiations. Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the memorandum of agreement for PTA Unit A and B. Motion Passed (5-0). The board proceeded to sign off on contracts for Units C, D, and E, which cover a wide range of school staff, as well as a general language agreement covering all units. Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the memorandum of agreement for Unit C. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the memorandum of agreement for Unit D. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the memorandum of agreement for Unit E. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the memorandum of agreement for language pertaining to all bargaining units. Motion Passed (5-0).

The district's financial outlook for the coming year appears stable, with a projected boost in state support. Superintendent Erin Obie reported that Chapter 70 aid is expected to increase by $75 per student, which translates to a $178,975 total increase for Pembroke. Obie also noted that Town Manager Bill Chenard has included the district's maintenance of effort funding number in the town’s fiscal year 2027 budget presentation. It's been a long time since that's been the exact number that's been included, Obie remarked, suggesting a smoother-than-usual coordination between the school and municipal sides of the budget. Member Susan Bollinger noted that while the budget subcommittee has not yet met, the inclusion of the maintenance of effort number provides a solid starting point for the district's planning.

Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, the committee green-lit several new high school courses, including AP Digital Photography and a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Capstone course. Mary Beth from the district staff explained that the photography course would fit with our digital arts pathway but also be an extremely popular course, while the capstone would allow students to design solutions to real-world problems. Student Representative Joseph Hoben voiced concerns about ensuring these specialized classes remain accessible to all students, asking, would students be able to take the other courses if they weren't in a pathway? Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the new course proposals for the 26-27 school year. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the updated 26-27 Program of Studies. Motion Passed (5-0). Hoben also updated the board on student life, noting that seniors are particularly interested in additional future readiness classes and expanded graduation recognition through cords and pins.

Jessica from the Student Services department provided an overview of the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), which manages behavioral and mental health needs through specific classroom interventions and therapeutic spaces like the Compass and Titan rooms. She emphasized that the goal is to help students regulate their behavior so they can transition back into least restrictive [settings] without having to go out of district. Vice Chair Glennon pressed for data on these programs, asking, Do you have like measurable goals? How do you know that what we're purchasing is working? Jessica noted that professional development is currently focusing on executive functioning and behavior intervention to ensure the efficacy of these tiers.

Chair David Boyle opened the session by asking the public to keep side chatter to a minimum, noting that an internet outage forced the meeting to be recorded for a tape-delayed broadcast rather than a live stream. Understand the microphone is for the studio audience watching on television, Boyle reminded the room during the call to order. Katrina Scarsciotti joined the other members in a series of unanimous votes throughout the evening, including the approval of the January 13th minutes. Motion Made by K. Delaney to approve the school committee meeting minutes of January 13th. Motion Passed (5-0). The meeting concluded with a move into executive session to discuss further strategy related to collective bargaining.