School Committee Newsletter
May 29, 2026
Please join us in welcoming Andrew Bunnell and Greg Stevens, who were recently elected to the School Committee. We also extend our sincere thanks to former members Mat Perry and Sasha Sopic for their dedicated service on the Committee.
School Related Articles Pass at Town Meeting
At the Annual Spring Town Meeting on May 12th, voters demonstrated strong support for Ipswich Public Schools by approving several key school-related Articles:
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 school budget totaling $41.3 million
The return of $750,000 in unspent funds to the Educational Stabilization Fund (Override Fund), helping to extend the projected sustainability of the override from six years to seven years
Approval of the Capital Plan which includes repairs and replacements across all schools including heat, air conditioning, flooring, and IT equipment.
The approved FY27 budget supports the district’s continued focus on academic excellence, student support services, safety initiatives, and maintaining high-quality programming across all schools while navigating ongoing financial pressures facing public education.
We encourage residents to review the complete FY27 budget presentation and supporting materials on the Ipswich Public Schools website.
Elementary School Building Project Update
~Special Update from the School Building Committee~
On April 29, the district was formally invited by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to enter the Feasibility Period, the next phase in the process to address the district’s elementary school buildings. With this milestone, the School Building Committee can move forward with hiring an Owner’s Project Manager, assembling a Design Team, and advancing the Feasibility Study to help determine the best path forward for Ipswich.
School Building Committee meetings will continue throughout the summer. All meetings are open to the public, with agendas posted on the town website, and information available on the district website.
Internet Safety, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyberbullying
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly accessible, Ipswich Public Schools, along with districts across the Commonwealth, continues to examine and define its appropriate and responsible use.
At the same time, schools are seeing instances of misuse, including the creation of “deepfakes,” in which a person’s image or likeness is digitally altered in harmful or inappropriate ways.
In response to these emerging concerns, the School Committee recently reviewed and updated policies related to harassment and bullying. For resources and guidance on talking with students about AI, digital citizenship, sexting, and cyberbullying, please visit Think Before You Send: Facts about Sexting and Cyberbullying.
Activities and Accomplishments
- The School Committee approved an overnight field trip to England for High School Music students.
- We reviewed Student Services data.
- Dr. Blake provided an update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work within the district.
- We reviewed and discussed extracurricular offerings.
- We examined student retention data.
- The School Committee reviewed and approved updates to 8 district policies. The District Policy Manual can be reviewed here.
Upcoming District Events
- Thursday, June 4th - School Committee Meeting - 7 PM in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online
- Tuesday, June 23rd - Last Day of School (Grades 1-12)
The Ipswich School Committee values input from the community. To contact The Ipswich School Committee, you may speak at “Citizen Queries” towards the beginning of every meeting, or email school_committee@ipsk12.net.
Continue to stay up to date on district events and school committee news by following Ipswich School Committee on Facebook and Instagram.