NORTHFIELD — As Warwick’s withdrawal from the Pioneer Valley Regional School District officially takes effect June 30, the school district has worked out a one-time tuition deal to accommodate sixth graders who wish to finish elementary school in Northfield.

Through an addendum to the approved tuition agreement for high schoolers, Warwick will pay Pioneer $35,260 for the 2023-2024 school year, regardless of whether one or all of the town’s sixth grade students wish to stay at Northfield Elementary School. The rate is equivalent to two high school students attending school at the agreed-upon tuition rate of $17,630.

The agreement ensures that any sixth grader who would like to stay at Northfield Elementary for their final year of elementary education, rather than transition to Warwick’s new school for a year before moving up to middle school at Pioneer, can do so, thus reducing any whiplash students might feel from moving to three different schools in a three-year period. Two sets of Warwick parents and students attended Thursday’s Pioneer School Committee meeting to advocate for the passing of the addendum.

“I would love to continue going to NES for my last year of elementary school and graduate from NES,” said fifth grader Noah Foote, with his mother, Jessica Foote, adding “we hope you guys will vote ‘yes’ in support of the tuition agreement.”

Following the Footes was fellow fifth grader Hayley Mankowsky, alongside her mother, Amanda Mankowsky. Echoing Noah, Hayley said she’d like to finish her elementary school years in Northfield. Amanda Mankowsky thanked the School Committee and administrators from both districts for their work throughout the process.

“I would really like to go to Northfield Elementary School because I made so many friends over the past year,” Hayley said, “and I would really like to keep going there.”

As part of the addendum, all terms of the original tuition agreement apply to the one-year payment, including that Pioneer is not financially responsible for student transportation and Warwick must reimburse the district for any special education costs.

The School Committee unanimously approved the proposal.

Farewell to Warwick members

With Thursday being the last scheduled meeting for the Pioneer School Committee before Warwick’s withdrawal from the district goes into effect, it also marked the last time Warwick’s representatives will be participating as members in the board’s meetings. Warwick plans to open its own independent school district in the fall, once again educating elementary-age students at Warwick Community School while allowing middle and high schoolers to attend Pioneer through the finalized tuition agreement.

School Committee Chair Reina Dastous thanked Alan Genovese, David Young and Nathan Swartz for their service to the school district over the last several years.

“I’m sorry to see Warwick depart from the Pioneer Valley [Regional] School District,” Dastous commented, “but I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the Warwick School District as we both navigate the landscape of rural education.”

While Genovese and Young’s terms with the Pioneer School Committee will come to an end on June 30, Swartz will be appointed as a non-voting Warwick representative to the committee, a position that is required in the districts’ tuition agreement.

“This won’t be Nathan’s last hurrah here. We intend to send him back,” Young said, eliciting laughter.

Swartz added he looks forward to continuing to work with the district and “Warwick as a town looks forward to continuing its long relationship with Pioneer.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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