School Committee Renews CTE Admissions Policy

School Committee · Meeting of October 27, 2026

Peabody School Committee renewed its CTE admissions lottery policy and heard warnings about elementary literacy gaps. The committee voted 6-0 to continue the policy unchanged for another year, with Superintendent Dr. Vidala reporting 412 students, 43 percent of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School's enrollment, now in career and technical pathways. Members also approved three warrants totaling $1,982,014.22 and heard that all staff must adopt two-factor email authentication by December 31 under a cybersecurity push that included a $26,000 state grant.

Mr. Amico called the mandate necessary, saying "if someone gets into our systems here, we're in trouble." During public comment, 28-year teacher and resident Amy Burrow said "one teacher cannot read and do reading intervention for 25 kids," urging more literacy coaches districtwide. The committee also heard the high school building committee will move to twice-monthly meetings starting November 12.

In the full story:

• Open Meeting Law Workshop
• Call to Order and Remembrances
• Student Advisory Council Report
• Minutes and Warrants
• PVMHS Building Project Update
• CTE Admissions Policy Renewal
• Cybersecurity Initiatives and MFA Mandate
• Public Participation: Literacy and Special Education Concerns
• Written Communications and Subcommittee Reports
• New Business: Real Estate Outreach Event
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,003 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.