Mendon Upton Community Project

05/06/2026

A debt exclusion is legally restricted to a very specific purpose: paying for approved capital projects like building improvements, repairs, or major equipment. When voters approve a debt exclusion, they are authorizing the town to borrow money for those one-time expenses and to raise taxes temporarily to pay back that debt.

It cannot be used for the school operating budget because operating costs—like salaries, supplies, and day-to-day expenses—are recurring and fall under a different funding mechanism (an override). Using debt exclusion funds for operations would violate state law and the terms under which voters approved the funding.

Mendon-Upton Regional School District needs both the already approved capital project funding and the proposed operational override because they serve two completely different, equally critical purposes.

05/05/2026

ICYMI - time to vote for the final 3 mascot contenders!
Bears
Coyotes
Nor’Easters

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4kd0z0mIqO8uEkWf_jC5E6-dDfGdQFkz_L-ylc0y2eyLa0w/viewform?usp=send_form

05/04/2026

Reminder: the School Committee meeting is tonight! Tune in to learn more about the cuts in staff and programs if the override does not pass. It’s important to understand the impact, and also be able to talk about it with friends and family to ensure they vote YES!

Reminder 🚨

The School Committee will meet Monday, May 4 at 7:00 PM, and this is an important one.

Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen will be discussing the real impacts if the override does not pass — including 70+ staff cuts and effects on student programs and activities.

💬 Public comment happens at the very beginning of the meeting — your voice matters, and even a few minutes of support can make a difference.

📄 Agenda:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOvpuMZPe7-igCqZUQ4Qcsj4hFB7Pp0g/view

💻 Join via Zoom:
https://mursd.zoom.us/j/84999702538?pwd=7TdP5Inu8ZaeQfsMytwYHpK8h82rbN.1

Show up. Stay informed. Support our schools. 💚💛

05/04/2026

Mendon-Upton Stronger Together stands with the estimated 70+ teachers and staff who have received pink slips in the past days. As we approach teacher appreciation week, we cannot express strongly enough the gratitude we have for all of the teachers and staff. It is the people that make our schools excellent! The devastating impact of failure to pass the override is no longer theoretical.

We have been asked to share details and we plan to do so. The MURSD Administration will report specifics to the School Committee Monday, May 4 at 7 PM at Nipmuc. All are welcome to attend. At that time, we will learn, and subsequently share, all of the official details on the positions and programs that are cut and reduced.

In the meantime, please continue to talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the need to vote YES on the override at BOTH town meetings AND BOTH annual town elections. We have it in our power to change the outcome, but we need every vote.

Standing with our teachers and staff,
Mendon Upton Stronger Together

05/03/2026

School committee meeting tomorrow! Dr. Cohen will be addressing the impact if the override does not pass. This is incredibly important information to understand the “why” behind the YES!

Reminder 🚨

The School Committee will meet Monday, May 4 at 7:00 PM, and this is an important one.

Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen will be discussing the real impacts if the override does not pass — including 70+ staff cuts and effects on student programs and activities.

💬 Public comment happens at the very beginning of the meeting — your voice matters, and even a few minutes of support can make a difference.

📄 Agenda:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOvpuMZPe7-igCqZUQ4Qcsj4hFB7Pp0g/view

💻 Join via Zoom:
https://mursd.zoom.us/j/84999702538?pwd=7TdP5Inu8ZaeQfsMytwYHpK8h82rbN.1

Show up. Stay informed. Support our schools. 💚💛

05/03/2026

We voted YES on capital projects at MURSD to improve our schools, strengthen our community, and protect our home values. That investment matters—and it’s already making a difference.

Now we’re facing another important decision.

A YES vote on the Proposition 2 1/2 override continues that commitment. Without it, more than 70 staff positions will be cut. That would directly impact our students, our educators, and even our ability to maintain the physical improvements we’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Strong schools require ongoing support. This is about protecting what we’ve built and ensuring our district remains a place people want to live, learn, and invest in.

Please join us in voting YES.

05/01/2026

Please remember to get out and VOTE YES to support our schools! Like and follow Mendon-Upton Stronger Together

The YES vote needs to pass at both town meetings and both ballots! We showed how strong we are together and how much we value our schools and community with the capital projects, let’s do it again!

Every decision has an impact — and this one shapes the future of our schools and community.

This isn’t just about a budget — it’s about class sizes, student supports, and the programs our kids rely on every day.

Take a moment to review, ask questions, and stay informed.

03/28/2026

We’re proud to celebrate our very own Bill Casey on receiving the MSSADA João Rodrigues Distinguished Service Award! 👏

This honor recognizes individuals who, without compensation, have devoted years of time, energy, and heart to supporting high school athletics and activities at the local level. It’s a true testament to Bill’s long-standing commitment to our student-athletes and the community.

His dedication, generosity, and behind-the-scenes efforts have made a lasting difference for so many—and this recognition is so well deserved.

Congratulations, Bill, and thank you for everything you do for MUCP! 💙🏆

08/22/2025

From Dr Cohen in the latest newsletter. We are beyond excited to see the Capital Projects get underway! Thank you to those on the building committee who worked tirelessly all summer!

“Capital Projects
I'd like to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to both communities for your incredible support of our school capital projects last spring. This was a true collective effort, and I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we received to maintain and upgrade our aging facilities and fields.

As we noted in our communications, by investing in our schools today, we are collectively investing in a brighter tomorrow for our students. These crucial upgrades will help protect our facilities, preventing further deterioration. They will also significantly reduce costs by improving utility efficiencies, ensure safety by providing secure and nurturing spaces for everyone, and, most importantly, enhance learning by creating the vibrant environments our students deserve to thrive in.

Beginning in September, we will provide regular updates on our facility and field projects through a dedicated capital project update webpage. For those seeking more detailed information, I encourage you to follow our building committee minutes and documents, which will also be readily available on our website in September. We have had many meetings since the May votes with MSBA, project managers, designers, engineers, bond counsel, etc. to begin the design process and establish timelines. Even though you might not visibly see changes yet, I can assure you that they are coming and we will update you as we proceed.”

Link in comments.