Abington School Committee Elects Whitney Chair, Sets June 18 as Last School Day

ABINGTON — April 28, 2026 — Abington School Committee reorganizes, elects new chair, and warns of 28-position cut if override fails. At its April 28 meeting, the committee elected Melanie Whitney as chair, Pam Neely as vice chair, and re-elected Heidi Hernandez as secretary in post-election reorganization votes. Superintendent Dr. Albert Michella told the committee that if a Proposition 2½ override fails at the May 16 ballot, the district would need to eliminate 28.1 full-time equivalent positions, resulting in larger class sizes, fewer mental health and academic supports, reduced course offerings at the middle and high school, and cuts to custodial and administrative services. A successful override would maintain current programming without additions. Town Meeting is May 4 and the override vote is May 16 at Beaverbrook gym; Michella is hosting community information sessions April 30 at 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Frolio building, 1071 Washington Street. The committee also voted to approve a new middle school program of studies and set June 18, 2026 as the final day of school — a half day for students — and heard that a $293,000 PRISM II state grant will support a new pre-K to grade 5 ELA curriculum rolling out next year.