The city’s public schools will remain a school choice district after the School Committee, on the advice of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala, decided not to opt out of allowing families to enroll their children in schools outside of Peabody.
Vadala recommended the committee not take action on school choice in part because the city loses more than $378,000 in tuition money to students going out of district. That money would be lost regardless of any action taken by the district or the committee.
By remaining school choice, the city brings in funds to counteract those losses, and Vadala said the district anticipates bringing in more than $356,000 from out-of-district students in fiscal year 2024.
Mass General Law Chapter 76 Section 12B dictates that the state presumes all districts will admit non-resident students through school choice, provided seats are available. With Peabody already a school choice district, the committee did not have to take a vote on opting out.
“We don’t really have control over who leaves the district but we do have control over who comes in, if there’s not seats available,” Vadala said. “Each year we do accept students.”
“My recommendation is that we continue the program,” he said. “If there are no objections, I would advocate for us to continue again.”
School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne added simply, “I agree.”
