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Massachusetts school buildings — school board news

Saturday, October 24, 2026

We bring transparency to school decisions nationwide by tracking school board meetings, district documents, and public data. We use AI tools, rigorously evaluated for accuracy, to search for risks.

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The policy desk

What’s moving in phones

The debate over phones, screens and the school day.

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The policy desk

What’s moving in AI

How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.

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The policy desk

What’s moving in student voice

Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.

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The news desk

Latest Massachusetts stories

New Bedford Public Schools

District moves to combine Ashley and Swift Elementary into one school by 2030

New Bedford is working with the state's MSBA to combine Ashley and Swift Elementary into a single building serving 665 K-5 students plus six pre-K classrooms. Two options are on the table: adding onto and renovating the current Ashley building, or building new on the same site. The district submits its preferred option to the state August 24, 2026, with a state decision expected October 28, 2026, and students moving in by 2030.

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Barnstable Public Schools

District floats building a new elementary school

At a July 15, 2026 workshop, facilities staff presented the committee with early options for replacing rather than repairing two elementary buildings. One scenario would close Hyannis West Elementary and Barnstable Community Innovation School and combine them into one new K-3 building; a second would replace Centerville Elementary. Slides estimate repairing Hyannis West and the Innovation School at $22 million against $87.2 million for a new combined building without state help, or $43.6 million if the state pays its usual share. No vote was taken.

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Closer to home

News from neighboring states

Explore the national edition and nearby communities.