Plympton School Committee Recommends McPherson for Vacant Seat, Eyes Override Vote

PLYMPTON — October 27, 2025 — Plympton School Committee fills a vacant seat and warns residents a budget override may be needed to maintain current school services. The committee voted unanimously at its October 27 meeting to recommend Ross McPherson, a 14-year resident and former Town Properties Committee member, to the Board of Selectmen to fill the seat vacated when a committee member joined the Finance Committee, which under Massachusetts law bars dual service on a body subject to its oversight. In an accountability presentation, Principal Peter Benito and Superintendent Dr. Jill Pru reported that Dennett Elementary's overall ELA scores reached 58 percent meeting or exceeding expectations in 2025 and math came in at 51 percent, both below the district's self-set 70 percent benchmark, though fifth grade showed a notable 20-point ELA gain. Dr. Pru closed the meeting with a direct warning on the fiscal outlook, citing uncertain federal Title funding, a state Chapter 70 formula that delivered only $150 per student in minimal aid to more than 220 Massachusetts communities last year, and local levy limits that she said "are not going to be able to provide enough dollars for the school to maintain level services" — setting up a potential override vote for town meeting in May.