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Section:
Most Recently Amended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: September 30, 2025
(1) Reorganization Conference.
A regional school district planning board, organized in accordance with M.G.L. c. 71, § 14, proposing the establishment of a regional school district, or a regional school committee proposing the expansion or enlargement of an existing regional school district, shall provide written notification to the Department of its intent to reorganize and the scope of the proposed reorganization plan at least six months before any municipality votes on such reorganization. The Department may convene a Reorganization Conference with local officials to assess the scope of the proposed reorganization and to determine the need for a Long-Range Education Plan.
(2) Long-Range Education Plan Submission.
The Department may require a regional school district planning board proposing the establishment of a regional school district or a regional school committee proposing the expansion or enlargement of a regional school district to submit a written Long-Range Education Plan to the Department to address whether the proposed reorganization is in the best interest of the applicant(s), the students served by the applicant(s), and the Commonwealth. The Long-Range Education Plan shall address, as applicable: the expected educational benefits of reorganization; current and projected enrollments; an inventory of all educational facilities under the jurisdiction of the various school committees (current and proposed) and any expected facility efficiencies or construction needs; the administrative structure, including current and proposed organization charts; any expected fiscal benefits; any relevant geographical and physical considerations; any expected transportation economies; and any other factors which would support the proposed reorganization.
(3) Department Review.
The Department's review and evaluation of a reorganization proposal, including, as applicable, the Long-Range Education Plan, shall include consideration of compliance with state and federal education law and regulations and the reorganization's potential for enhancing student learning opportunities and administrative and operational efficiencies. The Department may request additional information about the reorganization proposal or modifications to the Long-Range Education Plan. Once a determination has been made that the information provided is complete and is in the best interest of the applicant(s), the students served by the applicant(s), and the Commonwealth, the Department shall provide written notification to local officials that they may proceed with the reorganization plan and direct local officials to draft a new regional agreement or an amendment to the existing regional agreement.
In the case of a proposal to establish a new regional school district, the Department shall direct the regional school district planning board to draft a regional agreement in accordance with M.G.L. c. 71, § 14B. In the case of a proposal to expand or enlarge a regional school district, the Department shall direct the regional school committee to draft an amendment to the regional agreement.
Regulatory Authority: 603 CMR 41.00: M.G.L. c. 69, §1B; c. 71, §14B and §16D; c. 150E, §1.
Disclaimer:For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore .
Last Updated: October 2, 2025