Carver School Committee Approves Revised Athletic Handbook, Surplus Furniture Vote

CARVER -- September 8, 2025, Carver School Committee unanimously approved revisions to its athletic handbook and declared more than 200 pieces of classroom furniture surplus at its September 8 opening meeting of the school year. The committee voted to adopt language governing seventh- and eighth-grade student participation in high school sports and a new academic ineligibility waiver process, changes Athletic Director Kelsey Kincaid noted had been in practice since a student handbook update two years ago but were not previously reflected in the athletic handbook. Kincaid, also honored Monday as the Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors Association's District 9 Award of Merit nominee, presented two additional administrative documents, a coach code of conduct and a hiring timeline, for information without a vote, responding to what Superintendent Scott Neff called "a fair criticism" that the hiring process existed only in practice and not in writing. A capital projects update from district staff showed the mini-split HVAC project wrapped ahead of schedule with bids below estimates, a new 71-passenger bus on order with delivery expected by late spring or summer 2026, and a concession stand partnership project with New Bedford Vocational and Old Colony Schools on track for winter completion. The committee also voted to move its February 2 meeting to February 9 and its March 2 meeting to March 3 to ensure full attendance for the budget vote ahead of an April 7, 2026 town meeting.