Norfolk School Committee Approves Health Curriculum Pilot, Accepts $3,857 in Gifts

NORFOLK -- January 27, 2026, Norfolk School Committee approves $2,155 health curriculum pilot and navigates $223,000 mid-year deficit. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to pilot HealthSmart PE, a state-recommended health education program, at both elementary schools this spring, with physical education teachers comparing it against the existing Healthy Lifestyle Choices curriculum across roughly 10 to 12 lessons per grade level. A mid-year budget report showed the district's $16,234,378 FY26 allocation is running at 101.38 percent, with out-of-district special education placements projecting a $312,949 shortfall that administrators expect to offset largely through $253,122 in Circuit Breaker reimbursements and $533,435 in one-time Bay State Shelter funds. The committee approved the 2026-27 school calendar with a first student day of August 31 and parent-teacher conferences moved to November, and voted to replace a member on the teacher negotiation team with Medora, who completed the paraprofessional contract talks that reached a preliminary agreement this month. Director of Student Services Dr. Anna Tupper announced her intent to retire after 20 years with Norfolk Public Schools.