The Plympton Board of Selectmen unanimously committed to joining Kingston and Halifax in a regional mental health clinician program, allocating $4,521 from opioid settlement funds through the end of the fiscal year. The collaborative initiative will provide a dedicated mental health professional to assist police across all three Silver Lake communities with mental health and substance use disorder calls.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy presented the regional clinician proposal, explaining the program has been developing through collaboration between the three towns and their police departments. Kingston secured grant funding from the Department of Mental Health to hire the clinician, who will be a Kingston employee serving all three communities. The arrangement builds on a similar program Plympton previously operated with Carver, which Dennehy described as “very successful.”
The clinician will respond to mental health calls alongside police officers, providing professional assessment and support during crisis situations. The position will also assist with follow-up services, connecting residents with advocacy resources and treatment programs. “A lot of it’s honestly a follow-up that ensues,” Dennehy explained, noting the clinician can help residents access services after officers respond to initial calls.
The financial structure mirrors the Silver Lake Regional School District assessment formula, with Kingston bearing the largest share as host community and grant administrator. Halifax will contribute roughly double Plympton’s amount. Plympton’s $4,521 startup cost will cover the program through June 30, 2026.
Board members raised questions about the program’s scope and long-term implications. Chair Dana Smith asked whether this duplicates the Plymouth County Outreach Program, which also provides clinician services. Dennehy clarified the regional clinician would be “exclusively for Kingston, Plympton, Halifax,” providing more dedicated local support than the county-wide program. Selectman Nathaniel Sides confirmed the professional would not replace first responders but serve as an adjunct, working alongside officers.
The draft agreement includes an interim term through June 30 and a provision for extension, though Dennehy indicated the town may revisit participation before committing long-term. Her primary concern centered on grant funding continuity. “I just want to make sure that if for some reason there’s an issue with the grant funding that it’s not like, oh well, now our portion has increased substantially,” she said, noting uncertainty about the full cost of covering a clinician’s salary if grant support disappeared.
Smith confirmed the vote simply expressed intent to participate, subject to final town counsel review. “So, basically this would be today’s just to have the intent to be involved in it with a further follow up on what the cost is going to be and projected cost and how it’s going to go for the long term?” he asked. Dennehy confirmed this understanding, explaining the other communities wanted official commitment before proceeding further with the agreement.
The board’s motion specifically made participation “subject to final review and approval by town council and subject to availability of opioid settlement funds to cover Plympton’s participation,” preserving the town’s ability to withdraw if circumstances change or funding becomes problematic.
Kingston Police Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra, who developed the initiative, told Kingston Selectmen in November that department surveys showed 92 percent of officers support having an on-staff mental health clinician. Kingston is purchasing a $66,000 modular office trailer to house the clinician and newly created Family Services sergeant, as the aging police station lacks adequate space. The trailer will include a “soft room” for interviewing juveniles and individuals in crisis.
The co-response model aims to divert individuals from jail to treatment services when mental health issues rather than criminal behavior drive incidents. “The intent really of that DMH grant is a jail diversion program,” Skowyra explained. “It’s really to take instances where individuals should not be getting locked up, and we can offer them services instead.” Halifax committed nearly $10,000 from opioid settlement funds during its Dec. 2nd meeting, with Halifax Police Chief Joao Chaves emphasizing the earlier program’s success before it ended due to staffing and grant administration issues.
The three-town partnership was necessary to meet DMH call volume requirements for grant approval. Skowyra emphasized integration with school resource officers across the communities, noting Silver Lake officials have already expressed enthusiasm about guidance counselors collaborating with the clinician on issues affecting students both at school and home.
The Department of Mental Health grant operates on a reimbursement basis, covering salary, benefits, health insurance, and equipment costs. William James College will provide Training Technical Assistance funded by DMH for implementing the program, helping with hiring, clinical supervision, and licensing issues. The inter-municipal agreement includes provisions for renegotiation if call volumes shift significantly among towns and contains a termination clause if DMH funding is eliminated.
The board also authorized police department use of opioid settlement funds for educational supplies supporting the LEAD program at Dennett Elementary School. Dennehy explained one invoice totaling $115 has already been submitted, with another similar invoice pending. The materials include books for students as part of substance abuse prevention education.
When Selectman Sides asked about annual opioid settlement receipts, Dennehy explained payments arrive on a rolling basis. The town has received multiple payouts totaling just over $13,000 to date. These funds accumulate and are restricted to specific uses related to substance abuse prevention and treatment. “We are somewhat limited in scope as well, which I should mention as far as proper uses of the opioid settlement funds,” Dennehy noted. “So when you have valid purposes that seem like they’re going to make a difference, it seems like this could be helpful in like a solid use of a portion of the funds.”
The regional mental health clinician program represents a significant opportunity in how Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston respond to residents experiencing mental health crises or struggling with substance use disorders. Rather than relying exclusively on law enforcement, officers will have access to a trained mental health professional who can provide immediate clinical assessment, de-escalation support, and connections to treatment resources. For Plympton families dealing with mental health or addiction challenges, this means more compassionate, professionally informed interventions that can lead to better long-term outcomes than traditional criminal justice approaches. The use of opioid settlement funds directly connects litigation proceeds from pharmaceutical companies to addressing the ongoing addiction and mental health crisis, ensuring these resources support their intended purpose of harm reduction and treatment access.

The Plympton School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY27 budget requesting $4.6 million—a 3% increase over current spending—that would raise the town’s assessment by $100,890, though state aid offsets will reduce the net taxpayer impact.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the preliminary FY27 budget at the Dec.15 meeting, outlining a $4,592,367 level service budget that maintains current programming while accommodating contractual obligations. The request represents a $134,490 increase over the FY26 budget of $4,457,877, with the town’s assessment rising to $2,972,933.
“We want to make sure that we’re supporting students’ needs academically and developmentally,” Proulx said. “We attempt to maintain class sizes and the structure necessary for effective instruction. We consider and respond to the fiscal conditions of the town, and we work to support the strategy for district improvement.” The committee had requested a level service budget plus information about restoring positions if funding allows, as well as alternative scenarios showing 2.5% increase and level-funded options.
Committee Chair Jason Fraser welcomed the modest increase. “I was pleasantly surprised with where we’re coming in,” he said. “It’s not a number that’s going to keep me up at night. We’ve had a few years of that.”
State aid helps offset the local cost. The district’s Chapter 70 funding has grown to over $1.1 million from under $500,000 in recent years. “We should be reminding people of that,” Fraser said, suggesting the committee emphasize these contributions when presenting to the Finance Committee. Members acknowledged uncertainty about state funding decisions expected in coming months, with projections that Chapter 70 allocations will remain relatively level with last year.
Finance Director Sarah Hickey is retiring in February after years managing the district’s finances. Five school committees—Silver Lake Regional, Union 31, Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston—met jointly December 18 via Zoom to approve hiring Hickey’s replacement. The new director would start in January to allow overlap for training on what Proulx called “this very complicated position.”
Fraser endorsed the overlap expense. “I think it’s money well spent from my personal perspective,” he said, noting information from a recent chairs meeting made the decision clear.
The committee unanimously approved posting a maintenance custodian position at Dennett Elementary to replace a traditional custodian role. The change is cost neutral this fiscal year and will be integrated into the FY27 budget.
Principal Peter Veneto reported enrollment remains stable at 255 students. Recent activities included ALICE safety training for staff Nov. 5, implementation of the new HMH math program with consultant support, and participation in the PRISM grant program for English Language Arts curriculum review. “We had a lot of new staff that this was new information for,” Veneto said of the ALICE training. “It was good conversation, challenging conversation, but obviously safety of most importance.”
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tricia Clifford reported HMH consultants conducted model lessons and will return in January for additional coaching. The district is also working with TNTP consultants through the PRISM grant on classroom observations and data analysis to inform the English Language Arts program review. The Curriculum Council is reviewing new programs for implementation next year, with recommendations expected in spring.
The committee approved its consent agenda and eight policies on second reading, including student fundraising activities (Policy JJE). Fraser noted the policy may affect rules for Community and School Association parent organization fundraisers.
Committee member Jon Wilhelmsen reported the regionalization study’s initial December meeting was postponed due to a posting error. The first kickoff meeting with consultants has been rescheduled for January. “This will be a good 18 months, so there won’t be anything coming quickly,” Wilhelmsen said, “but I think we have it set up for some good discussion and good research to provide the information that we need to actually talk with facts about it.”
Fraser announced he would work with newer member Ross MacPherson on subcommittee assignments before the next meeting. The capital improvement team will meet with Veneto to develop the FY27 capital plan. Dennett Elementary had early release Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m., with school resuming Jan. 5, 2026.
The 3% budget increase will determine educational services for Plympton’s 255 elementary students while raising the town’s assessment by $100,890. State funding—including $1.1 million in Chapter 70 aid—reduces the net burden on taxpayers. The relatively modest increase compared to some recent budgets signals some hope for budget stability after several challenging years.

The Halifax Elementary School Committee received a preliminary budget one month earlier than usual on Dec. 8 that presented a stark choice: approve a modest 1.4% increase, or face cutting two teaching positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the fiscal year 2027 budget at the committee’s meeting, accelerating the district’s typical January timeline by a month. The early delivery responds to the school committee’s request for a votable budget by December, though Proulx recommended waiting for firmer numbers before taking a formal vote.
“This is earlier than usual. As you know, we typically present the preliminary in January,” Proulx said, thanking Finance Director Sarah Hickey “for making this a priority and for all the hard work she has put into this budget and all of our school’s budgets, especially this year, getting it done so early.”
The level service budget — which administrators call “best designed to meet our strategy for district improvement and the needs for our students” — totals $8,147,229. After offsets including circuit breaker funds, IDEA grants, and estimated reef and rural aid, Halifax’s appropriation would be $7,772,613, a 1.4% increase over fiscal year 2026.
Proulx emphasized the careful scrutiny behind the numbers. “We really have tried to cut down anything not essential to make sure that this is a lean and appropriate budget,” she told the committee.
The alternative presents a dramatically different picture. A level funded budget of $7,615,813 after offsets would require cutting $106,800 — eliminating 2.0 full-time equivalent positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
“Obviously not something that we would necessarily want to do if there was any way we could possibly avoid that,” Proulx said when presenting the class size impacts.
School officials outlined two potential approaches to required reductions: increasing class sizes at two grade levels, or impacting one grade level while eliminating a specialist position. Administrators made clear these scenarios were forced considerations, not recommendations, and actual enrollment numbers could shift which positions would ultimately be affected.
Principal Brian Prehna’s capital needs assessment highlighted one non-negotiable expense: phone system replacement. “I want to draw your attention to that,” Proulx said. “It must be done, it must be paid for in this budget year. So that’s not a choice, and we have included it in the level services budget. We need our phones.”
Throughout the presentation, administrators cautioned that numbers remain estimates subject to change. Special education costs will fluctuate. Several grant amounts are projected rather than confirmed. Utilities are calculated on a four-year average. The shared-cost budget hasn’t been voted. The budget accounts for one known retirement but not potential additional departures.
Out-of-district vocational placements add another variable. Halifax currently has one 12th-grader in an out-of-district vocational program. The budget includes three placements, but actual enrollment won’t be known until April 1.
The Superintendent asked members to review capital priorities and consider which warrant articles to advance to the town. While the budget is technically votable, Proulx’s recommendation to wait for firmer numbers reflected the administration’s caution. “The numbers contained in the presentation are built upon assumptions and estimates, and the numbers are subject to change,” she said.
In administrative matters, the committee voted unanimously to waive the second reading and approve eight policies covering background checks, building access, school nutrition modifications, gifts to staff, student fundraising, parent booster organizations, parent advisory councils, and visitor procedures.
Lauren Laws reminded attendees of upcoming dates: Dec. 23 early release, winter break beginning Dec. 24, schools reopening Jan. 5, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, and the next committee meeting on Jan. 26.
The budget presentation forces Halifax to confront a fundamental question about educational priorities and fi scal constraints. A level funded budget would directly impact classroom instruction through larger class sizes and reduced staffing. The projected third-grade class of 30 students exceeds research-based recommendations for effective Elementary instruction and could affect learning outcomes. The alternative — a modest 1.4% increase — represents school officials’ attempt to balance educational needs with fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. As these preliminary numbers are refined over the coming weeks, the decisions made will shape the Halifax elementary educational experience for the 2026-2027 school year.