READS Collaborative, a regional academy with a location in Middleboro that offers academic programs for students with special needs, may soon expand its services to include students from the Brockton and Whitman-Hanson school districts. 

The Middleboro School Committee voted to approve the expansion during its Thursday, Dec. 7 meeting but the Freetown-Lakeville School Committee held off on its vote due to reservations raised during itsWednesday, Dec.6 meeting. 

“I don’t know what this will do to impact READS,” said Freetown-Lakeville Director of Student Services Ashley Bouley. “I’m concerned because Brockton is obviously a huge district … how will [this] impact our students that are placed there.”

The organization works with Lakeville public schools and hosts programs in Middleboro at the READS Academy building and holds regional programs in schools in other districts including a program for deaf and hard of hearing children in Norton. 

According to Middleboro Superintendent Carolyn Lyons, for the expansion to take place, two-thirds of the school committees in the involved districts must vote in the affirmative.

Lyons, who serves on the READS Collaborative board of directors, said that both Brockton and Whitman-Hanson already have students in the READS Collaborative program.

“By becoming a member of the collaborative, they do get a discounted rate … which would reduce revenue,” said Lyons. She explained that the decision has the potential to impact next year’s budget depending on enrollment. 

“Enrollment is down at the READS Collaborative,” said Lyons. “So whether or not the rates are discounted it is better to have those seats filled.”

According to Freetown-Lakeville School Committee Chair Will Sienkewicz, the board has until Feb. 1 to vote on the expansion. 

On Friday, Nov. 17, READS Academy adjustment councilor Steven Adamec, 50, was arrested and charged with charged with assaulting a ten year old student who is on the autism spectrum at the school. As of Nov. 17, Adamec no longer works for the academy, according to a press release from the organization.

Neither school committee commented on the alleged assault at their respective meetings.