Fee Increases
The School Committee voted to increase both busing and athletic fees at Belmont High School for the 2026–27 school year.
The committee voted to raise the athletic fees—which vary depending on how many sports a student participates in—by $25. In the fall, there will be a $510 fee for the first sport a student signs up for, $360 for the second, and $210 for the third.
The committee also voted to increase the district’s transportation fee by $30, a slight increase from the district’s recommendation of $25. There will be a $530 fee to ride the bus in the 2026–27 school year.
Belmont High School Handbook
The committee voted to approve the Belmont High School handbook and improvement plan for the 2026–27 school year. According to a memo from Principal Isaac Taylor, the handbook was unchanged from last year, except for language adjustments to match recommendations and policies from the district and School Committee.
The high school’s improvement plan centers around the district’s Vision of a Graduate initiative, enhancing the school’s social and emotional support systems, and refining the communication between the school and families, Taylor said. In particular, school leaders are striving to redevelop the Bridge program, which was previously cut due to funding constraints.
NEXT Program
Superintendent Jill Geiser gave an update on the district’s initiative to expand its “programming focusing on career-readiness and other post-secondary options beyond higher education.” A 2024 analysis of high school course offerings found a variety of classes focused on advanced studies, but fewer opportunities for students to engage in “work-based” learning.
“Since I got here, I’ve been hearing about the need for creating these opportunities and pathways for students,” Geiser said.
Geiser said the district has identified two “pathways” for students seeking educational opportunities in various fields. The district will explore expanding opportunities in Health Sciences, Public Policy, Social Justice and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
This year, the district also began exploring a partnership with Reading Public Schools. The Next Generation Education and Experiential Transformation (NEXT) Program would focus on preparing students for work in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. A grant application was submitted to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation by Reading and MassHire. If approved, Belmont and Reading will begin planning for the program.
School Start and End Times
The School Committee Start/End Time Subcommittee presented its findings from the past year to the committee, one of the last steps before it makes a final recommendation to the committee in the fall.
The subcommittee, formed last March, was tasked with assessing the start and end times of the Belmont schools. Through its research, members reviewed research on adolescent development, evaluated start and end times models at neighboring school districts, and held two public forums for community input.
The subcommittee wants to hear additional feedback from the town and students before it makes its final recommendation, said Darnell Thigpen Williams, the district’s director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being.