The Brookline School Committee opened the 2026–27 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 16, approving a roughly $460,000 state grant for food-service equipment across the district.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Food Security Infrastructure Grant, the largest single item on the consent agenda, will fund upgrades including a $111,000 dishwasher system, mobile heating trays and cabinets. Sasha Balmer, director of food services, applied for the grant, which the Finance and Capital Projects Subcommittee had already reviewed and approved unanimously.

All nine members voted yes.

The consent agenda also included two Pierce School Building Project change orders, according to the School Committee's meeting materials. Change Order No. 24 covers a playground revision for grades K–4. Change Order No. 25 addresses engineering work on sagging trusses in the historic portion of the building.

Chair Bob Weintraub presided over the meeting at Town Hall. He announced a joint Select Board and School Committee session on the Pierce School project for Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.

New BHS schedule draws mixed reviews

Student representative Anukica reported that Brookline High School is piloting a six-day schedule with 70-minute class periods. Students and teachers are adjusting, she said, though some AP classes that require double blocks have posed challenges.

She also flagged class sizes, saying some BHS sections now exceed 30 students, "which is highly unusual for Brookline High School and possibly due to budget cuts and other reasons."

BHS is also offering the Seal of Biliteracy to seniors who meet language proficiency requirements this year.

Superintendent outlines priorities

Superintendent Bella Wong introduced several new district leaders, including Deputy Superintendent for Administration and Finance Aaron Osborne, a new principal at Pierce, Jill Seaman Chandler as coordinator of health services, Julie Colin as director of human resources and Kendall Jones as director of Steps to Success.

Wong framed the year's agenda around goals the committee approved last spring: reducing disproportionality through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), completing 100% of staff evaluations, evaluating grade configuration across K–8 schools and building an equity plan. The district has hired equity consultant Darnisa Amante Jackson to lead that work.

Wong also referenced a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) district review conducted in spring 2026, now public, that called for better use of student data, stronger supervision and evaluation, a visible professional development plan and equity planning.

"Because of the passage of the override we have an opportunity to focus more fully on teaching and learning," Wong said at the meeting broadcast by Brookline Interactive Group.

The district is shifting from 2012 DESE evaluation standards to 2024 standards this year, coordinating with Brookline Educators Union leadership on the transition.

No residents offered public comment at the Sept. 16 meeting. The Policy Review Subcommittee meets next on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. at Town Hall.