School Committee Adopts E-Bike Safety Policy
Haverhill school officials say a quarter of high schoolers left this year's MCAS essay blank or nearly blank.
School Board · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Haverhill school officials say a quarter of high schoolers left this year's MCAS essay blank or nearly blank. Principal Mike Downs told the School Committee Sept. 24 that of 441 Haverhill High School students who took the exam, 37 wrote nothing, 66 more wrote a sentence or less, and 90 scored zero on the first essay. Districtwide ELA proficiency in grades 3-8 sits at 28 percent against a 41 percent state average, though third-grade scores jumped as high as 42 percent at Walnut Square Elementary.
Member Sapienza-Donet said "behind every number is a child," while Dr. Story cast the lone dissenting vote, 7-2 with one abstention, against a new subcommittee to help set Superintendent Margaret Murata's goals, calling the arrangement undemocratic. The board also unanimously adopted a policy governing e-bikes and scooters on school grounds and approved a $7,098,919.36 warrant.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,310 words
Source: the School Board meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Essex County meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Essex County who follows town government? Share Townbrief Essex County: they can sign up free.