Peabody Schools Close 2025-2026 Year as City Enforces Critical Drought Water Ban
PEABODY — The Peabody Public Schools 2025-2026 school year wrapped up with a message of congratulations to families, even as the city heads into summer under a critical drought-driven water restriction that bans nearly all non-essential outdoor water use.
SCHOOLS
The district's superintendent sent a year-end message to families marking the close of the 2025-2026 school year, calling it "both productive and rewarding." The message congratulated students and families on a successful year. Looking ahead, kindergarten registration for 2026-2027 is currently open, and families can find enrollment and school-choice application materials on the district website.
The next formal school governance event on the calendar is a Building and Grounds Subcommittee meeting, scheduled for June 30, followed by an executive session on the same date.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Peabody Institute Library's South and West Branch locations are set to shift to updated summer hours beginning July 6. Both branches will be open Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday 1 to 9 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Sundays will be closed at those two branches. The Main Library at 82 Main Street continues its regular schedule, though Sunday hours are suspended through Labor Day.
The library's 2026 Summer Reading program is underway for all ages, and teens in grades 9 through 12 can also participate in the "100 Books Before Graduation" challenge — logging reads on Beanstack to earn free books and prizes.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Peabody Patch is leading its Sunday morning roundup with Agganis Games coverage: "🌱 Patch AM: See which Peabody standouts shined at this weekend's Agganis Games" — local athletes competed at the annual North Shore scholastic games this weekend, per Peabody Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
The city's outdoor water restrictions, declared amid drought conditions, were detailed earlier this week: "Peabody Bans All Non-Essential Outdoor Water Use Amid 'Critical' Drought" — the ban covers lawn watering, sprinklers, and car washing, per Peabody Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
A state supplemental budget item directed funding toward a local infrastructure study: "Peabody Gets $20K Traffic Study For Margin Street Stretch To Salem Line" — the money will support an examination of Margin Street from Danvers to the Salem line, according to Peabody Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
The police department received a significant professional recognition: "Peabody Police Department Awarded 3-Year State Accreditation" — the department described the accreditation as a reflection of its commitment to community policing, per Peabody Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
COMING UP
- June 30: Building and Grounds Subcommittee meeting and executive session, Peabody Public Schools - July 1: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (listed on the Peabody Patch calendar) - July 6: Updated South and West Branch Library hours take effect (Mon–Tue 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Wed 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Thu 1–9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–1 p.m.) - Aug. 13: School Committee Retreat - Aug. 25: Regular School Committee Meeting - Aug. 26: New teachers orientation